Friends of the Arboretum Annual Plant Distribution

Plant List Available—Updated on Friday—Final

  • Saturday, October 4, 2014 – 9:00 am9:15 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 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 giveaway 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 giveaway.

Plant List

The plant list has been posted in the Horticulture section on this site under "Giveaways." A printable list is also available. Please print this list if you'd like one at the giveaway. We'll have lists for sale at the coffee and donuts table.

Help Support the Annual Plant Distribution

While this event is free to members, we hope you consider making a donation the day of the event to help support the giveaway. Volunteers and staff will be standing by with donation containers.

Coffee and Donuts

Like last year, we're offering coffee and donuts for a cash donation beginning at 7:30 AM.

FOA Annual Plant Distribution Video

Videos of the 2010 and 2011 giveaways are available on YouTube. The videos play ten times normal speed so don't worry about having to run fast during the event.

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 giveaway. 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 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 the recent past?
Answer – Yes. If you haven't attended the event since 2005, please be aware the procedures will be different. Details will be provided on the day of the event and are included under the "Guidelines" tab on the plant list Web page. The 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 – We'll post a plant availability list on our Web site the week of the event.

Will descriptions of the plants be 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.

Does the JCRA ever sell plants?
Answer – Yes, we hold an annual spring plant sale the first weekend in April (the second weekend in April if the first is Easter weekend). The JCRA also now offers plants for sale at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center on a daily basis.

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 Arlene Calhoun at (919) 513-7004.