JC Raulston Arboretum e-Update
December 2017
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Your Monthly News and Updates
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Director's Note
By Mark Weathington, Director
As the year winds to a close, it is a great time to look back at our achievements and from my perspective, 2017 has been outstanding. Among other notable achievements, Elizabeth Overcash gave a presentation to the American Society for Horticultural Science, Tim Alderton was presented with an Award of Merit from the North American Rock Garden Society, the JCRA passed 1,600 paid household members, we had a tremendously successful collecting trip to the Qinling mountains in Sha’anxi and Gansu, China, hosted a sold-out crowd for our "Garden Divas" winter symposium, and hosted over 2,800 people at Moonlight in the Garden. Whew, it is tiring just thinking back to all that was achieved this year.
There's no resting on our laurels though, 2018 is shaping up to be even more packed for the JCRA. This year's winter symposium, “Creating a Successful Home Landscape: Where Ecology and Aesthetics Meet” is looking very exciting. The JCRA will be helping to host a myriad of national and international plant meetings including the Magnolia Society International, the American Conifer Society, and the Perennial Plant Association. We also hope to hit new highs with our memberships—
the most important single source of operating revenue for the JCRA. You can help by bringing a friend to the Arboretum or to one of our many programs.
Thanks to you all for helping us make 2017 so amazing and here's to an even better 2018!
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Plant of the Month
Which Witchhazel?
By Mark Weathington, Director
The witchhazel family never ceases to amaze me. When I think I have it completely figured out, I get to know another oddball cousin or two. Right now, I'm enamored with the so-called rose hazels or
Rhodoleia
. The JCRA is currently growing seven selections from three different species,
R. championii, R. henryi,
and the very rare
R
.
parvipetala
. These evergreen shrubs or trees bear glossy, leathery leaves typically with a silvery underside. In some cases, rose hazels have been mistaken for rhododendron. In fall, rose hazels form flower buds in profusion opening in early spring to reveal exceptionally showy flowers in shades of pink. A plant in full flower in March could easily be mistaken for a camellia at a distance.
We've been growing plants of some of this fascinating genus in the ground for as long as five years while a few still haven't made it out of the nursery yet. For the most part, we've been impressed with the unexpected hardiness we've seen although there has been some foliar damage even in protected spots as temperatures dip into single digits. Unfortunately, the stalked flower buds haven't fared as well, and, to date, we've seen very few flowers after a typical winter. We plan to try liming some of our plants which may help with this issue. Come out and check out these plants over winter in our Lath House and beside the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center.
Rhodoleia
are native to southern China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Some of the species are considered threatened in the wild and efforts to collect and preserve more genetic diversity is warranted. It has long been assumed that the entire genus is subtropical but plants are showing much greater hardiness than previously suspected. A couple of species and a few selections are available occasionally in the trade and are well worth the effort of tracking down for warm zone 7 and zone 8 gardens.
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JCRA Wish List
By
Lisa Meares, Project Manager,
NC Agricultural Foundation
As a result of the boundless generosity of our members, sponsors, and volunteers, six of the eight projects on our 2016 year-end wish list were funded and completed. Your contributions provided a new pedestrian entrance, firefly lights in the oak trees, a well-lit path to the Great Lawn, renovated and expanded crevice gardens, and a reset perennial border.
Our 2017 list includes some interesting new turf and vine updates, more lighting, and several specific garden and interior space renovations.
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Make Your Gift Giving Simple This Year
By Kathryn Wall, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator
Let us help with your holiday shopping. A JCRA membership makes a perfect holiday gift for friends, family, and coworkers. It is a unique and meaningful present that will be enjoyed all year ’round.
Membership includes free FOA Lectures, Plantsmen’s Tours, events, and plants; discounted workshops and classes; and yearlong savings at many local nurseries. Plus, your membership comes with
reciprocal privileges at over 300 public gardens
in North America, and a year-long subscription to
Martha Stewart Living
or
Better Homes and Gardens
magazines. There's something to be enjoyed in every month.
Shop now for that special someone on your list and give the gift of membership! Call Kathryn Wall at (919) 513-7004, or stop by the Arboretum and pick up a JCRA sweatshirt, T-shirt, tote bag, or cap. Memberships also can be
purchased online
.
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Save the Date
Winter Symposium
"Creating a Successful Home Landscape: Where Ecology and Aesthetics Meet"
Saturday, February 17, 2018 – 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant
The seventh annual Winter Symposium focuses on integrating creative function into the home landscape in a way that is both beautiful and ecologically responsible. The schedule this year features three prominent professional landscape designers and home gardeners who lend their varied backgrounds and specialties to provide fresh vision for home landscapes.
Bobbie Schwartz, a certified landscape designer in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and the owner of Bobbie's Green Thumb, will host "Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams," focusing on topics from her new book by the same name. Her session will encourage homeowners to set goals and evaluate priorities in order to jump start their own landscape design process while also covering additional landscaping considerations such as preparing soil, tracking light, measuring moisture, and marrying your house with your landscape. Bobbie’s own signature style focuses on perennials, flowering shrubs, and ornamental grasses in order to facilitate color and interest throughout the year.
Anne Spafford is the owner of a local landscaping and consultation business and an assistant professor in NC State's Department of Horticultural Science. She is passionate about sustainable landscape practices and recently finished the design and installation of a new pollinator garden at NC State's Gregg Museum of Art and Design. Her session, "Creating a Pollinator Habitat—
The Bridging of Science and Design," will focus on the necessity of encouraging pollinators in the landscape as well as on the characteristics of a successful pollinator garden.
Originally a student of landscape design and architecture, Brie Arthur worked as a professional plant propagator before transitioning into a role as a communicator in the Green Industry. Brie is a prominent voice in the national suburban Foodscape movement and recently published her first book, “The Foodscape Revolution,” on the intertwining of food and ornamental plants in the landscape. Her session will encourage attendees to “think outside of the box” when creating their landscapes, as well as on artful ways to incorporate food production into home landscapes.
This year’s symposium is set for Saturday, February 17, with sessions held from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Registration opens at 8:00 AM with a continental breakfast and silent auction. Register for this wonderful opportunity today by contacting Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu. Online registration opens very soon.
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Connoisseur Plants
By Kathryn Wall, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator
December means we're fast approaching the deadline for our popular
Connoisseur Plants program
, where we offer rare new plants or hard to find old favorites. To qualify for the March 2018 distribution of Connoisseur Plants, your membership must be at Sponsor level or higher on or before December 31, 2017.
Need to upgrade? It's easy, call Kathryn Wall 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 catalog in February 2018.
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Moonlight in the Garden—Thank You All
By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director
Two thousand, eight hundred and sixty-six guests, six lively bands, twelve delicious food trucks and the tremendous lighting display by Southern Lights of Raleigh—Moonlight in the Garden is another success.
Despite the wet and cold start, this year's Moonlight in the Garden didn’t disappoint. It takes a village or a least a group of very dedicated garden lovers to pull off this huge event and we thank each and every one of you. From the volunteers who meticulously ran the temporary low voltage wire to the professional services of
Southern Lights of Raleigh
,
Simchock Stone
, and the
English Garden
—we appreciate your time and expertise to create such a terrific fundraiser that gives our guests a one-of-a-kind Arboretum experience.
To those who came, we hope you enjoyed your evening stroll and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
For those of you looking to take a little moonlight magic home or needing a unique holiday gift, we have a few Simchock Stone lanterns for purchase. We will have them until the December 15. They are located outside the east entrance of the Lath House. Stop by and have a look and remember all JCRA members receive 10% off purchase price and Simchock Stone is donating 20% of purchase to the JCRA. If you have any questions, contact Arlene Calhoun at (919) 513-6789.
Thank you again for making Moonlight in the Garden an event we will not forget!
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Botany for Gardeners
By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant
Starting in January, Monday evenings will be devoted to “Botany for Gardeners,” an exciting new lecture series that explores the fascinating scientific principles behind typical gardening practices. The inner workings of plant life can be mysterious to the uninitiated, but understanding and applying the magic behind basic botanical principles can enliven gardening efforts with a new vigor.
Bryce Lane, a frequent lecturer here at the Arboretum and an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus from the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State, will illuminate topics such as plant classification and nomenclature as well as plant structure, development, and reproduction.
Classes will run from January 22 to March 5 every Monday evening from 6:30 PM 8:30 PM. A
class syllabus and link to register
can be found online. Contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu for more information.
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Photography Walks
By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant
With the New Year comes an exciting new lineup of Photography Walks designed to enrich and refine landscape photography skills. Susan Bailey, a career photographer with a wide variety of experience, has designed these programs to introduce amateur photographers to a variety of photographic concepts and help them expand their knowledge at all levels. She places a special focus on the technical aspects of operating a camera, or, in layman's terms: "what to do with all those controls."
Susan is passionate about teaching, and she loves that "Aha!" moment when students are able to capture the photograph they really want. In her workshops, Susan explains that the key to producing quality photographs is instruction and practice. Each workshop topic is designed to stand alone, and each session begins with a classroom presentation with most followed by a walk in the garden to practice those techniques.
This year, an exciting new mini-series of three seminars will take place totally indoors, emphasizing the beautiful work that can be created in a simple home setup. Each of these special indoor sessions will have a different emphasis: backgrounds, lighting, and macros, and all materials will be provided. Of course, more classes mean more practice, so Susan encourages coming to as many programs as possible to build a photographic skill set.
Ultimately, Susan hopes that these workshops will not only be a source of information, but also of relaxation and retreat away from the busyness of life. Susan’s favorite part of nature photography is the opportunity it provides her to focus and discover something new, and she hopes that workshop participants will find a similar peace and pleasure during their time in the garden as well.
Classes for the New Year start on January 18 and will be held the third Thursday of every month.
2018 Class Topics
Every Photography Walk filled quickly in 2017. Register today for these exciting programs to secure your spot in these classes. For more information, please contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005.
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Holiday Happening
By Sarah Alford, Programs and Education Assistant
Do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Here at the Arboretum, we have our own set of traditions and we'd love to have you come out and kick off the holiday season with our popular
Poinsettia Open House
. Come see new and well-loved varieties and vote for your favorite. Enjoy listening to the sounds of the season with our live music while experiencing over one hundred varieties of poinsettias. This floating event is scheduled for Sunday, December 3 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Learn about additional attractions and our musical guests on the
event page online
.
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Goodbye to Emily
By Mark Weathington, Director
It's always sad when a team member leaves the fold and that is certainly true for Emily Peters. Emily joined the JCRA family in 2015 as facility and rental coordinator and has left a significant mark on the Arboretum by streamlining and automating rental processes and setting the JCRA up for continued growth of this important revenue stream. Emily's mostly behind-the-scenes assistance and ideas have helped make recent Arboretum events successful, and we will all miss her enthusiasm for being part of the team. We wish Emily all the best in her future endeavors.
If you know someone who might be interested in growing the JC Raulston Arboretum's rental program, creating and supporting outstanding events, and serving as one of the primary public faces for the JCRA, send them to
NC Sate University's job site
for more information and to apply.
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Members Making News
By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
At the recent North American Rock Garden Society's Annual General Meeting hosted by the local Piedmont chapter and titled "Rock Gardening in the Southeastern U.S.—
Past, Present, and Future," four JCRA members received national NARGS awards. From left to right in the above photograph, the recipients include:
- Bobby Ward – Marvin Black Award
- Tony Avent – Millstream Award
- David White – Award of Merit
- Tim Alderton – Award of Merit
Additionally, North Carolina salvia expert, Richard Dufresne, was presented the Marcel Le Piniec Award.
Other award recipients (not pictured) include Tony Reznicek (Edgar T. Wherry Award), Nancy Goodwin (Millstream Award), and Don Selcer (Geoffrey Charlesworth Award).
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Sponsored by NC State Floriculture and the JC Raulston Arboretum
Sunday, December 3
1:00 PM
"Notable Specimens"
Douglas Ruhren, Gardens Manager
Tuesday, December 5
1:00 PM
Tim Alderton, Research Technician, and Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
Tuesday, December 5
1:00 PM
Full - Waitlist Started
and
4:00 PM
Full - Waitlist Started
Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
Tuesday, December 5
7:00 PM
Full - Waitlist Started
"Application of Genomics to Flowering Dogwood Conservation and Phylogeny and Biogeography of Mock Oranges"
Andrew Pais, Ph.D., Database and Plant Records Coordinator
Thursday, December 7
7:30 PM
"Holiday Creations"
Friday, December 8
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Full - Waitlist Started
"Patterns"
Susan Bailey, Susan Bailey Photography
Thursday, December 14
2:00 PM
Full - Waitlist Started
✽Denotes a children's program.
Many programs require advance registration. Please register early to reserve your spot.
Other Dates to Remember
Thursday, December 14
9:00 AM–3:00 PM
"Creating a Successful Home Landscape: Where Ecology and Aesthetics Meet"
Saturday, February 17
8:00 AM
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By Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist
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Acer palmatum
'Margaret Bee'
purple-leaf Japanese maple
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Miscanthus sacchariflorus
'Gotemba Gold'
Amur silvergrass
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Berberis thunbergii
'Kelleriis'
Japanese barberry
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Taxodium distichum
'Cascade Falls'
weeping bald cypress
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Camellia
'Yume'
hybrid camellia
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Mahonia ilicina
grapeholly
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lex
'Calina'
Carolina holly
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By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
One new video was recorded in late October and posted to our
YouTube Channel
. Look for it on our channel or click the graphics below.
Receive announcements about our latest additions by subscribing to our
YouTube Channel
.
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Your Membership Makes a Difference
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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
.
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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.
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