JC Raulston Arboretum e-Update
November 2017
Your Monthly News and Updates
Don't Miss Member Preview Night

By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director
 
I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty excited about this year's Moonlight event. John Garner and his team at Southern Lights of Raleigh have turned our beloved White Garden into a "Not So White" Garden. And, expect to be enlightened; the Japanese Garden will have an unexpected splash of pizazz. It's always a treat to see John's artistic expression in the Arboretum and I think you'll agree he is a master of light. We're grateful to him for sharing his talent and his team for our very worthwhile cause.

Come join us for this exclusive members-only preview night and enjoy exceptional entertainment and eats. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Moonlight in the Garden
Member Preview Night
Tuesday, November 7
7:00 PM–9:00 PM

Advance tickets required for Member Preview Night only.
Ticket deadline: Sunday, November 6 at midnight.
No tickets will be sold at the gate for November 7 preview.
Limited tickets available.
Members can purchase tickets for themselves and their guests.

Select beer and wine options available and served only on Preview Night.

Entertainment


Food Trucks

An Evening with Bleddyn Wynn-Jones

By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant

Looking for an exciting and exotic night-on-the-town idea that is fascinating while also accessible? Travel with us to a land of varied climates, diverse topography, and rich vegetation while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and beverages including wine and beer as we welcome Bleddyn Wynn-Jones from Crûg Farm Plant to the JC Raulston Arboretum for a lecture night.

Bleddyn, a world-renowned plant explorer, horticulturist, and writer, will share his experience in traveling northern Vietnam and the country 's two tallest mountains. Here in this treacherous mountain terrain, Bleddyn and his wife Sue have uncovered many undiscovered and rarely seen plants. The uncharted forests of Vietnam, one of the last places where undiscovered plant and animal species can still be found, have drawn Bleddyn and Sue with their alluring magic for numerous expeditions over the past 25+ years. During this special lecture, Bleddyn and Sue will not only share the botanical treasures they have found, but also some of their day-to-day experiences and how they set up for collecting, as well as a glimpse of the area's culture, including information on a few of the hill tribes they've come across in their travels.

Our evening will open with a social hour and reception for Bleddyn and Sue, with hors d 'oeuvres and drinks (beer and wine included) provided, before the presentation. Join us for an unforgettable evening!

About Bleddyn Wynn-Jones

Crûg Farm Plants, run by Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones, is an unique nursery based on the edge of Snowdonia near Caernarfon in North Wales. Covering almost 20 acres, it has an outstanding and unrivalled selection of plants, many of which have not been cultivated in the West before.

Sue and Bleddyn spend up to three months every year on plant hunting expeditions to remote corners of the Asia, the Americas, and of late, Europe. As some of the only licensed people in the United Kingdom to do this, their collections are much sought after around the world and the nursery has become a Mecca for keen gardeners. They have provided plants for many prestigious clients including several award-winning flower show gardens especially RHS Chelsea, also supplying National Trust collections and not least Her Majesty The Queen 's own gardens. As well as their own award winning Chelsea exhibits, scooping the prestigious Presidents Award on their first display there, a feat that has never been achieved before. This with numerous RHS Gold Medals for their outstanding displays places them at the top of their tree.
Help Promote JCRA on Social Media

By Kathryn Wall, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator

Do you love JCRA as much as we do? Help us spread the word about Moonlight in the Garden and other JCRA programs and events. One simple way to help is to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Comment on our posts and share them with your friends.  
 
 
Following us is also a fun way to build community and add some beauty and nature to your news feed!
Designer Preview Nights

By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant

Thursday, November 2 – 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Friday, November 3 – 7:00 PM–9:00 PM

Landscape lighting is a powerful tool for landscape architects, especially in extending the usability of an outdoor space. If you are a landscape or lighting design professional, please join us for one of our Designer Preview Nights, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of our upcoming Moonlight in the Garden event. John Garner, master designer behind this incredible lighting event, will lead attendees through a tour of his creations, providing key information for professionals who wish to utilize landscape lighting, answers to common questions professionals have about landscape lighting, and the inspiration behind his vision for this wildly popular event. Don't miss this opportunity to have a personal conversation with the creator of this magical event.
November Events Update

By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant

November is an exciting month here at the Arboretum! Although lots of attention has been centered on the upcoming Moonlight in the Garden event, we have several programs of note this month.

First up is our November Plantsmen's Tour on Tuesday, November 7 at 1:00 PM, hosted by the newest member of the JC Raulston Arboretum team, Douglas Ruhren. Doug is experienced in designing a variety of gardens, including portions of the JC Raulston Arboretum, and brings a wealth of gardening know-how, plant knowledge, and creative design expertise to our team. His tour will focus on the many plants still in flower in at the JCRA. Many of these plants will continue to bloom as long as frost holds off, and others will begin to bloom as the temperatures drop, both of which is especially important to pollinators. Join us to learn more about these important plants!

Propagation is an important tool for any gardener, but some forms of propagation are trickier than others! If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to master propagating ferns from spores, join us for our workshop on Saturday, November 11. This hands-on workshop led by Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Bob Payne will teach the ins and outs of fern propagation as well as introduce important terminology. Each participant will also take home a variety of ferns in various stages of development.

Don’t miss our last day trip of the fall! Our group will be heading out to Homewood Nursery in north Raleigh on Thursday, November 30 to enjoy a tour from owner Joe Stoffregen of their production greenhouses full of both new and tried and true varieties of poinsettias. After the tour, there will be a chance to shop Homewood's extensive gift shop, and remember that JCRA members get a 10% discount on all regularly priced plants. Bring your JCRA membership card!

For more information about these and our other educational programs, please contact Chris Glenn at chris_glenn@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-7005. Propagation workshops and day trips always fill quickly so register today to reserve your spot.
Upcoming Events
John Garner, Southern Lights of Raleigh
Thursday, November 2
7:00 PM
and
Friday, November 3
7:00 PM
Register (Thursday and Friday)

Presented by the JC Raulston Arboretum and the Capital City Camera Club
Chris Ogden, Chris Ogden Photography
Saturday, November 4
9:00 AM
Register (one opening remains)

"Late Bloomers/Early Bloomers"
Douglas Ruhren, Gardens Manager
Tuesday, November 7
1:00 PM

With Our Friends at Southern Lights of Raleigh
Tuesday, November 7
7:00 PM

"Looking for Hardy Plants in the Mountains of Vietnam"
Wednesday, November 8
6:00 PM

Garden Lights
Thursday, November 9
10:00 AM
and
Friday, November 10
10:00 AM
Register (Thursday and Friday)

With Our Friends at Southern Lights of Raleigh
Thursday–Saturday, November 9–11 
6:00 PM

Garden Lights
Friday, November 10
10:00 AM

Science Saturdaze
Saturday, November 11
9:00 AM

Bob Payne, Extension Master Gardener
Saturday, November 11
9:00 AM

"Shadows"
Susan Bailey, Susan Bailey Photography
Thursday, November 16
2:00 PM
Full

With Our Friends at Southern Lights of Raleigh
Thursday–Saturday, November 16–18  
6:00 PM

Cadettes: Tree-iffic Trees
Saturday, November 18
10:00 AM

Thursday, November 30
10:00 AM

✽Denotes a children's program.

Many programs require advance registration. Please register early to reserve your spot.

Other Dates to Remember

Thursday, November 9
9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Sponsored by the JC Raulston Arboretum and NC State Floriculture
1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Coming Attractions
By Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist
Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'
Japanese maple
Lagerstroemia fauriei 'Fantasy' and Lagerstroemia fauriei
Japanese crepe myrtle
Musa basjoo and Musa sikkimensis
textile banana and Sikkim banana
Acer palmatum Dissectum Atropurpureum Group
red lace-leaf Japanese maple
Zelkova serrata 'Schmidtlow'
Wireless Japanese zelkova
Prunus incisa 'Pendula'
weeping Fuji cherry
Sabal palmetto
cabbage palm
Yucca rostrata
Mexican blue yucca
YouTube Channel Update
By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
One new video was recorded in October and posted to our YouTube Channel. Look for it on our channel or click the graphics below. Two of our October lectures are still to come so be on the outlook for them.

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 Kathryn Wall, membership and volunteer coordinator, at (919) 513-7004 or kbwall@ncsu.edu.
Christopher Todd Glenn
Programs and Education Coordinator
Sarah Alford
Programs and Education Assistant
NC State University
Campus Box 7522
Raleigh, NC 27695-7522
(919) 513-7005

You're receiving this e-mail because you're a member of the JC Raulston Arboretum. JCRA e-Updates are published electronically every month. If you are a member and need to update your contact information or wish to be removed from this mailing, please contact Kathryn Wall at (919) 513-7004 or kbwall@ncsu.edu. Please do not use the links below to update your e-mail address or to unsubscribe.