Friends of the Arboretum Annual Plant Distribution

Plant List Now Available

Saturday, October 3, 2009 – 9:00 am–9:15 am

The epic event of public horticulture where thousands of choice and rare plants are freely given away.

Please bring your membership card. If you can't find it, we can check you in that morning using our membership roster. Individual and Student members are entitled to one admission per membership. Family members and above are entitled to two admissions per membership. Check in begins at 7:30 AM. Please arrive before 9:00 AM (preferably before 8:45 AM) to allow enough time to check-in.

If your membership has lapsed or you want to join for the first time, we will be selling memberships starting at 7:30 AM. The give away begins at 9:00 AM sharp. Please do not be late! In previous years, all plants have been given away in a matter of minutes. New members who sign up that morning are eligible for the plant give away.

Commonly Asked Questions about the JCRA Annual Plant Distribution

Who can attend this event?
Answer – This event is for JC Raulston Arboretum members only, however, we will be happy to sign nonmembers up before the give away. Nonmembers, including children, will not be allowed in the distribution area.

May I bring my children or a guest?
Answer – The number of people allowed in the distribution area per membership is determined by the membership level. Only one person is allowed into the distribution area per Student or Individual membership. Two people are allowed into the distribution area per Family/Dual, Sponsor, Patron, Founder, Benefactor, or Philanthropist membership. Anyone, including children, not covered by a membership will need to stay outside of the distribution area. Nonmembers will not be allowed past the registration area. The distribution area is large and anyone left outside of it will not be in view of the others in their party. Please do not bring children who are not members since care facilities will not be provided.

Are the procedures and guidelines the same as they were in 2008?
Answer – Yes. If you haven't attended the event since 2005, please be aware the procedures will be different. Details will be provided on October 3, 2009. The new procedures were put into place to slow the event and to ensure that more members got more of the plants they wanted.

What plants are being given away?
Answer – A plant list is now available on our Web site. Please check back late on Friday for any last-minute changes.

Will descriptions of the plants available?
Answer – Yes, short descriptions will be included in the list mentioned above as will links to our photograph and slide collections. Use your favorite book or search engine to learn more about these great plants.

What time are the plants being given away?
Answer – 9:00 AM. All plants are given away in a matter of minutes, do not be late.

When does check-in begin?
Answer – Check-in begin at 7:30 AM. Please arrive early enough to check-in, preferably before 8:45 AM.

Will I need something to carry my plants in?
Answer – Yes, we recommend that you bring your own wheelbarrow, cart, wagon, etc. We may have a few carts that we will happily lend out, however, the wait for these carts will likely be long. Bring something to line your trunk too.

I am coming from out of town, is it worth the drive?
Answer – We think so, however, the answer is an opinion that only you can determine. We usually have attendees from as far away as South Carolina and Virginia and even Georgia and Maryland. We've even had visitors from Tennessee and California.

Can I see the plants ahead of time?
Answer – The actual plants being given away cannot be seen ahead of time, however, you can look at the plants they were propagated from in the Arboretum. You can search the online Current Plantings database to determine the location of the plants in the Arboretum.

Is there a rain date?
Answer – No, we hold this event rain or shine.

When is the Annual Plant Distribution in 2010?
Answer – The date is not scheduled yet, however, it will probably be the first Saturday in October.

Cost: Free for Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum members – nonmembers are invited to join our membership program.
Registration: Advance registration is not required. However, please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to this event to allow enough time to check in.
Location: JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Directions: Need directions? Click here.
Parking: Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions: Please call (919) 513-7005 for more information about this event. To join our membership program, please call Anne Porter at (919) 513-3826.