JC Raulston Arboretum e-Update - November 2015
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Director's Note
Mark Weathington, Director
As I close out my first year at the helm of the JC Raulston Arboretum, it has been interesting to look back on 2015. The most common question I get is, "How do you like being director?" The answer is that I'm really enjoying the challenges and opportunities to continue the JCRA's legacy of moving North Carolina horticulture forward into the 21st century. In truth, the reason the job has been so enjoyable is that I'm surrounded by dedicated, intelligent, and hard-working staff who all believe in the mission and values of the JCRA. Over the past 12 months, we've seen some staffing changes - Sonia Murphy became our new director of development, Arlene Calhoun moved from volunteer and membership coordinator to assistant director (don't worry - we'll be filling her old position soon), and Justin Durango, a former JCRA intern, has been brought on to help out in the garden. We also added an education summer intern in addition to our regular roster of garden interns. Between the dedication and knowledge of existing staff and the ideas and enthusiasm of new team members, the future is bright at the JCRA. Speaking of the future, 2016 is our 40th anniversary and we are going to be encouraging all of our members to come out and see the garden in a different light. There will be lots of great activities over the course of the next 12 months celebrating this milestone and I hope I'll see you at many of them. In addition, we will be getting a bit of a facelift - keep an eye out for more information coming soon! As I approach my one year anniversary and we all are preparing for the JCRA's 40th, rest assured that we are just getting started. |
| Plant of the Month
By Mark Weathington, Director
Tender Beauty - Chilean Glory Flower, Eccremocarpus scaber We've long had a tender spot in our hearts here at the JCRA for vines in the landscape, especially those in the crossvine or Bignoniaceae family. The vines in this group include both our native crossvine, Bignonia capreolata, and trumpet creeper, Campsis radicans. A less commonly seen member of this family is the South American Eccremocarpus scaber or Chilean glory flower. Glory flower is a small, evergreen scrambling vine which climbs politely up trellises or through shrubs with clasping tendrils. Bright red to orange flowers are produced throughout the late spring and into fall making it a valuable addition to the garden. Chilean glory flower is somewhat tender and should probably best be considered an annual in all but the warmest parts of North Carolina. Young plants of Chilean glory flower planted in spring will start flowering by mid-June and continue with a non-stop show of flowers throughout the rest of the growing season. The 1" long tubular flowers will be visited regularly by hummingbirds who find this plant irresistible. It is best planted in a sunny spot although a bit of afternoon shade is fine. Glory flower likes an evenly moist soil and will appreciate regular water during dry summers. Glory flower can be planted out for a long season of color as an annual or grown in a container, spilling over the sides and scrambling up nearby railings or trellises. Potted plants can be given a hard trim in fall and brought indoors to a brightly lit spot. Intrepid gardeners can make the attempt to over-winter their plants in the garden. After the tops freeze back, mulch the crown and roots very well. Once spring rolls back around, remove the mulch layer and with luck your plants will start into growth as the soil warms. Chilean Glory Flower will be available as a thank you to our Sponsor level and higher members through our Connoisseur Plants program. We're fast approaching the cutoff date to be eligible for the Connoisseur Plants program. To qualify for the March 2016 distribution of Connoisseur Plants, your membership must be at Sponsor level or above on or before December 31, 2015. Need to upgrade? It's easy, call Arlene Calhoun at (919) 513-7004 or make a payment online.
To refresh yourself on the number of plants awarded to each membership level or get an idea of the plants that have been previously offered, visit the Connoisseur Plants page on our Web site. Qualifying members should expect notification of the Connoisseur Plants catalogs via e-mail in January 2016. |
The #GivingTuesday movement embraces the power of giving back. #GivingTuesday is held on Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and it brings together the collective power of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities. Join us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.
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Connoisseur Plants Eligibility Deadline is December 31, 2015
By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director
Don't miss your opportunity to participate in our Connoisseur Plants program. These special plants are propagated by us. They are part of a unique collection of plants that have captured our attention and we want to share. This is direct access to a very exclusive plant list. Eligibility requires your membership level to be Sponsor level or above on or before December 31, 2015 for the March 2016 distribution. Need more details? Visit the Connoisseur Plants program page.
Your tax-deductible upgrade is easy, give me a call at (919) 513-7004 or make a payment online.
Qualifying members should expect notification of the Connoisseur Plants catalogs availability via e-mail in January 2016.
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Gift of Membership Keeps Us Growing
By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director An Arboretum Membership is one of the best ways to introduce people you know to the garden. The giving season is here and our membership is a terrific gift for many you know. You can purchase a gift membership online or we have gift certificates you can wrap and add a bow.
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Holiday Garden Wishlist
By Lizzi Lathers, Research Technician  We received some wonderful items from our fall wishlist! Check out my excitement over the complete watering system that was purchased: Thank you so much to the folks that fulfilled items from our earlier list! Nevertheless, here we are again because it is the season of giving and if you still wish to give (especially after seeing how happy we get!), there are still a few tools we could use. These include: Commercial Grade Hoses 7, 50' hoses - $44.00 each 1, 100' hose - $80.00 Hose Accessories 2 Watering wands - $20.00 each 6 Valves - $20.00 each 2 Brass quick-connects - $50.00 each The Complete System Long hose combo - $170.00 Short hose combo - $135.00 And final item on the list was specifically asked for by Tim Alderton. He rarely gets annoyed by misbehaving tools or machines and, just last week, even he got fed up with our push mower! We use the push mower in small turf areas in the JCRA like around the Ruby C. McSwain and in the Klein-Pringle White Garden. We did some research and found one that we think will last a long time here. This is a bigger gift, but it is one that would really help Tim and me (and our interns). Push Mower Husqvarna HU700H push mower - $400.00 If you would like to purchase any of the tools on the list, please contact Sonia Murphy at (919) 513-0637 or sonia_murphy@ncsu.edu. E ach item would make maintaining the Arboretum so much easier! Thank you again for all your support. |
Winter Symposium By Christine Ramsey
"On the Edge and in the Box: Gardening in Unusual Spaces"
Marie Butler, Virginia Zoological Park; Benjamin Greene, The Farmery; and Thomas Smarr, 21st Century Parks
Saturday, February 20, 2016
She gardens for tigers, elephants, and half a million humans a year. He gardens in shipping containers where edible crops are controlled by smartphones. While our third guest created and maintained award-winning green spaces dozens of feet in the air.
The environments, challenges, and goals of these three gardeners couldn't be more different. But they are all united by their willingness to use plants in unexpected ways.
Join the JCRA as we push the boundaries of the word "garden" with three speakers who think outside the box
For more information about the JC Raulston Arboretum's winter symposium, please read the announcement or contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu.
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The Ins and Outs of Home Landscaping: How to Choose, Use, and Care for Plants in the Home Garden
By Bryce Lane, Course Instructor
Bryce Lane, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University
Wednesdays, February 10, 17, and 24 and March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2016 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM This eight-week course is designed for anyone who is interested in improving their own gardening skills in and around the home landscape. I have identified eight important gardening topics (one per week), and will discuss how to improve the way we perform them. Whether you are a seasoned gardener, or a beginner, have a huge arboretum-like garden, or have a few containers on your deck, this course will help you select, install, and maintain the plants you grow.
Syllabus
Feb. 10 - Introduction and plant selection
Feb. 17 - Bed preparation and planting
Feb. 24 - Post transplant care (watering, mulching and pruning)
March 2 - Plant nutrition and fertilizing
March 9 - Energy-saving landscapes
March 16 - Waterwise gardening practices
March 23 - Growing plants in containers (indoors and out)
March 30 - Pest management ("are you a good bug or a bad bug?")
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Upcoming Events
Plantsmen's Tour "Prickly Pretties" Mark Weathington, Director Tuesday, December 1 1:00 PM
Holiday Wreath Workshop Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator Tuesday, December 1 1:00 PM Registration closed Wine and Wreaths Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator Tuesday, December 1 7:00 PM Registration closed Friends of the Arboretum Lecture "Poinsettia: A 200-year Journey from Gangly Mexican Shrub to Christmas Icon" James E. Faust, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University Thursday, December 3 7:30 PM
Denotes a children's program. Many programs require advance registration. Please register early to reserve your spot. Dates to RememberMulch SaleThursday, December 10 9:00 AM-2:00 PM Connoisseur Plants Membership Upgrade DeadlineThursday, December 31
Arboretum Offices Closed Thursday, December 24 through Sunday, January 3 |
Coming Attractions
By Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist
 Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King' compact strawberry tree  Camellia ×hiemalis 'Rose of Autumn' hybrid camellia  Cyclamen hederifolium Ashwood Nurseries Silver Leaf Group hardy cyclamen  Chimonanthus praecox 'Luteus' fragrant wintersweet  Mahonia ×media 'Hope' grapeholly
Ilex cornuta 'Sunrise'
golden Chinese holly
Ilex 'Calina'
Carolina holly
Iris unguicularis
winter flowering iris |
YouTube Channel Update
By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
Two new videos were recorded in November. Look for them in our YouTube Channel or click the graphics below. Receive announcements about our latest additions by subscribing to our YouTube Channel.   |
Your Membership Makes a Difference Please Join or Renew Today!The JC Raulston Arboretum is free to the public, but it is not free to operate. Memberships keep the gates open and the gardens in top shape. Membership gifts are the primary support for the Arboretum's daily operations and vital for its success. Thank you for your support and advocacy of the JC Raulston Arboretum through the membership program. It's fast and easy to become a Friend of the Arboretum, and there are many great benefits for you and your family. Join or renew now using our secure Web site, or contact Arlene Calhoun, Volunteer and Membership Coordinator. |
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