JC Raulston Arboretum e-Update - February 2016
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Winter Symposium
By Christine Ramsey, Volunteer, and Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
"On the Edge and in the Box: Gardening in Unusual Spaces"Marie Butler, Virginia Zoological ParkBen Greene, The FarmeryThomas Smarr, 21st Century Parks Saturday, February 20 - 8:00 AM-12:00 PM She gardens for tigers, elephants, and half a million humans a year. He gardens in shipping containers where edible crops are controlled by smart phones. 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. Register now! Early registration ends on Sunday, February 7. Save $15.00 by registering early. For more information, please contact Chris Glenn at chris_glenn@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-7005. |
| Raulston Blooms!
By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director
Saturday, April 2 - 9:00 AM-4:00 PM  We have two great speakers to get your gardening juices flowing this spring. Bryce Lane from In the Garden with Bryce Lane fame will be talking about how to attract wildlife to the garden. We all agree the birds and the bees (or any pollinator as a matter of fact) are important in our gardens. Bryce will share some of his favorite plants to attract these much needed friends to your garden.  And foodscaping correspondent from Growing a Greener World, Brie Arthur, will talk "Foodscaping 101." Encouraging everyone to "think outside of the box," Brie explains why pairing edibles in a traditional ornamental landscape is functional, convenient, and attractive. Edible meadows, high impact seasonal displays, and woody ornamentals are featured in ways to create a purposeful landscapes that are HOA approved.
Bring your family and friends, it's a day of family fun and discovery.
And remember, members get to shop the sale on Friday, April 1 (no fooling) from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, before it opens to the public at Raulston Blooms! |
Permaculture Gardening Course
By Will Hooker, Emeritus Professor, NC State University
"Building a Permaculture Garden"
Will Hooker, Emeritus Professor, Department of Horticlutural Science, NC State University
Tuesdays, March 1 through April 26 (excluding March 22) - 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Optional Tours on Saturday, March 5 and Saturday, April 16
There is a growing concern about leading our lives in a more environmentally friendly manner, one in which our daily decisions contribute both to our personal health as well as to the health of the natural world around us. Permaculture is a sustainable living methodology based on ethics and principles which allow us to meet many of our needs for food, water, shelter, and energy, all within the context of our home gardens. In this course, we'll cover the basics of starting a permaculture garden, and emerge with the confidence to begin transforming your own home environment into a useful sustainable habitat.
Syllabus
March 1: Introduction and Overview
March 5: Optional Tour of Will Hooker's Garden
March 8: Design Principles
March 15: Soils and Food Production
March 29: Water
April 5: Shelter and Resource Management
April 12: Alternative Energy
April 16: Potential Optional Tour of Brie Arthur's Edible Garden
April 19: Design Charrette
April 26: Wrap-up
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Summer Camp Registration Underway By Elizabeth Overcash, Children's Program Coordinator
Members have a few more days of exclusive registration to enjoy before public registration starts on Monday, February 8! Our members are taking advantage of the member-exclusive early camp registration. On the first day of registration, 25% of the summer camp spots were filled. And, you passed the word around. Several new families joined as members and enrolled in camp. Last year's campers loved their time exploring the gardens, cooking with vegetables, getting muddy, and finding critters in the mulch. Don't miss the chance to get your child's first choice of camp from the fun filled schedule: For more information about this summer's camps, visit our Web site. Online registration can be found on each camp's Web announcement. Just click on the camp you want to register for and click on the red "Register" button. Public registration opens on Monday, February 8 so don't delay in registering! |
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director
Glad to hear you're enjoying the mulch. For those who haven't tried it yet, we use a blend of 80% wood chips and 20% leaves and find it doesn't mat, allows water to penetrate, and nurtures the soil as it breaks down.
The dirty details: - When: 2nd Thursday of each month
- Time: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
- Where: Outside the back gate to the HFL via Ligon Street, see map
- Cost: $16.00 per cubic yard
- Payment: Cash or checks only (checks made payable to NCSU/JCRA)
- Loading: Open beds only, member to bring covering and tie-downs
- Service: Send Bradley Holland an e-mail at brad_holland@ncsu.edu and he'll be sure someone is there to meet you at the mulch pile. If you forget to e-mail ahead of time, send him an e-mail when you arrive from your smartphone. No smart phone? Please honk or phone the number on the sign for service.
The proceeds from mulch sales will be supporting both the JCRA and the HFL. And, a portion will go directly to our internship funds. We all love and appreciate our interns. |
Gala in the Garden
By Sonia Murphy, Director of Development
Sunday, May 1 - 3:30 PM-7:00 PM
The Gala is our largest event, a chance to celebrate spring and renewal, a chance to see your hard work and dedication in flower, a chance to enjoy all that we've accomplished together.
This year's Gala promises to be exciting ... why? - Our reach is expanding. Last year's Gala attendance rose to a 10 year high. North Carolina is growing and so are we!
- This year marks the 40th anniversary of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Look for a special program in celebration of this milestone.
Your support of the Gala fuels this important event and our work for a greener world throughout the year. We invite you to make a real difference through a Gala sponsorship or a donation to the auction.
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Narcissus Collection Labeled By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director
Valerie Tyson, our plant recorder, and her team of volunteer labelers put together a huge effort to get our narcissus collection labeled before spring. So when you visit the garden while the narcissus are flowering, you'll be delighted to see labels identifying these little beauties.
They started with 372 Narcissus records and in one day were able to label 93% of them. It was quite a day's work, and there is already a plan to get the remaining ones labeled.
A big thank you to our regular labeling team, the JCRA volunteers who are new to labeling for pitching in; to the Extension Master Gardeners of Wake County for joining us; and of course Mother Nature for a beautiful, sun-shining day. Your efforts to help keep our labeling accurate and up-to-date is greatly appreciated by all who visit.
Remember, thank a volunteer when you see them in the garden. And, if you're ordering from Brent and Becky's Bulbs, be sure to use their Bloomin' Bucks site and select the JC Raulston Arboretum. When you do, not only will you receive top quality bulbs, you'll be supporting the JC Raulston Arboretum. The folks at Brent and Becky's Bulbs send us 25% of every sale when you shop using Bloomin' Bucks. Check it out! |
Upcoming Events
Introduction to Insect Identification: The Good, the Bad, and the Buggy John Meyer, Ph.D., Retiring Professor, Department of Entomology, NC State University Monday, February 1 6:30 PM Register Plantsmen's Tour "40th Anniversary Tour-Winter Flowers" Mark Weathington, Director Tuesday, February 2 1:00 PM
Garden Soils Class "If You Build It, They Will Come: Understanding and Improving Garden Soils" Bryce Lane, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Saturday, February 6 8:30 AM Register The Ins and Outs of Home Landscaping: How to Choose, Use, and Care for Plants in the Home Garden Bryce Lane, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University Wednesday, February 10 6:30 PM Register Friends of the Arboretum Lecture and Book Launch "Good Berry, Bad Berry: Finding and Identifying the Most Common Wild Berries of North America" Helen Yoest, Gardening With Confidence Thursday, February 11 7:30 PM
North American Rock Garden Society (Piedmont Chapter) Lecture Sponsored by the Piedmont Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society in Cooperation with the JC Raulston Arboretum "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Texas Wildflowers" Damon Waitt, Director, NC Botanical Garden Saturday, February 13 10:00 AM
Children's Winter Walk✽ Friday, February 19 11:00 AM Register Winter Symposium "On the Edge and in the Box: Gardening in Unusual Spaces" Saturday, February 20 8:00 AM Register Family Winter Walk✽ Sunday, February 21 2:30 PM Register Gardening Adventures with Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Extension Master Gardeners and the JC Raulston Arboretum "Vermicompost for Healthier Plants" Rhonda Sherman, Wake County Extension Master Gardener Monday, February 22 10:00 AM Rain Garden Design and Installation Workshop Sponsored by the Department of Horticultural Science, Steward Design, and the JC Raulston Arboretum Thursday, February 25 8:00 AM Register (open to green industry professionals only)Denotes a children's program. Many programs require advance registration. Please register early to reserve your spot. Dates to RememberMulch SaleThursday, January 11 9:00 AM-2:00 PM |
Coming Attractions
By Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist
 Crocus tommasinianus 'Roseus' Tommasini's crocus  Hamamelis ×intermedia 'Diane' red common witchhazel  Galanthus plicatus subsp. byzantinusTurkish snowdrop  Crocus chrysanthus 'Blue Bird' spring crocus  Prunus mume 'Bridal Veil' weeping Japanese flowering apricot
Euphorbia rigida
rigid spurge
Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'
bloodtwig dogwood
Helleborus ×hybridus (dark pink shades)
Lenten rose |
YouTube Channel Update
By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
Two new videos were recorded in January. 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, Assistant Director. |
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