JC Raulston Arboretum e-Update
August 2020
Your Monthly News and Updates
Director's Note

By Mark Weathington, Director

We’re looking forward to welcoming students back to campus this month although that means we lose our exceptional interns as they head to class. It's been a strange public gardening internship without the public for them this year but it's been pretty odd for us all. With luck, the return of the students will help to get the JCRA a bit closer to being open. If everything goes smoothly, with no major outbreaks, we will likely be in a position to begin the process of opening back up.
 
No matter when we re-open, this will be a trying fiscal year for the JCRA. As a state entity our financials run from July to June and thanks to a great 2019 we finished last year in excellent shape—despite the lost spring. As we work towards getting back to normal, major revenue streams like rentals, onsite programming, and other group events will be severely impacted. We hope that all of you will help as we experiment with new ways to fulfill our mission by offering constructive feedback and being open to different methods of engagement.
 
See you in the garden (still hoping).
Summer 2020 Looked a Wee Bit Different

By Elizabeth Overcash, Children's Program Coordinator

I recently saw a T-shirt that had written on it "2020" with a one out of five star rating and the tagline, "would not recommend." I have to say I've had mixed feelings about this summer — devastation about canceling in-person summer camps, excitement (and nervousness) offering virtual camps, disappointment in the turnout for virtual camps, and in a quandary over what programs and resources to offer schools this fall. I really could go on about all the thoughts swirling in my mind, but I'm going to focus on and share the fun and happy … Artists in (Your) Garden camp.

Artists in (Your) Garden camp was the virtual camp we were able to present this summer. It was a small group — eight campers, but they filled a Zoom meeting with laughter, stories, and creative artwork. Ashley Thompson, our wonderful summer camp teacher, worked with me to videotape 40 instructional videos, multiple Google Forms, and Seesaw activities for the campers to enjoy during camp week. Each day they would start working on the day's activities and then meet us in Lunch Bunch to share what they had done and work on a project together. Their energy and bright smiles were the pick-me-ups that we needed this summer!
Thank You 2020 Summer Interns

By Douglas Ruhren, Gardens Manager

It's August. Our time with our 2020 summer interns is about to end. It has been superb to work with these four very capable, smart, hard-working, and keenly-plant interested individuals: John Banask, Brian Evans, Locke Rosser, and Tanya Towery. Of course, our thorough appreciation of them is magnified by the fact that the JCRA does not have any volunteers working at this time.

An overriding goal of the internship program is to expose the interns to all aspects of public garden management. This is a bigger challenge here at the JCRA than many other public gardens because the plant collection is documented from day one, the day of arrival, to the day that that plant is no longer in the collection. So, they have accessioned new arrivals, from seeds, to cuttings, and other propagules, as well as whole plants. They have also kept thorough records of the plants they have propagated and mapped new plantings.

And the interns have planted hundreds of plants. The JCRA nursery quickly fills up with plants. Many of these plants are propagated here and more afternoons than not the interns produced new plants. These plants are produced either for programs or for the collection. Collection plants being the plants that get planted in the Arboretum for evaluation. The programs include plant sales and the Friends of the Arboretum Annual Plant Distribution and numerous other distributions.

There is little value in acquiring new plants for the collection if they live out their lives in the nursery and do not get planted in the ground in the Arboretum. And so, we push to get things planted. It is only when they get planted that it can be determined if these plants are suitable for growing in the zone 7 Southeast.
Many of these new plantings are in new beds around the Great Lawn. The fabulous, gorgeous, and super functional new road around the Great Lawn presented the choice of maintaining little remnant patches of turf outside this circumference road or new beds. New beds won hands-down. So, when the JCRA reopens to the public you won't be able to meet our 2020 summer interns, but you will see many new plantings and you can thank them in your heart.
Plant Sale Buggy
Next time you are at the JC Raulston Arboretum, be sure to check out the Plant Sale Buggy outside of the JCRA's gate. Plants are available for sale on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. New plants are added every day.
Our Gates May Be Closed, but Your Hearts Are Wide Open

By Joy Burns, School Program Coordinator

Who would have guessed when we closed our gates in March, they would still be shuttered months later? None of us. We sure have missed enjoying the garden with you as it transformed this spring and summer. However, your support of our various virtual programs and pop-up plant sales have cheered us along! We are so grateful for the encouragement you have sent our way during your own trials with Covid-19.
 
They say, "Laughter is the best medicine." So, while we continue to guard the health and safety of our volunteers and staff, we have designed a 2020 T-shirt (design above) to commemorate this highly unusual and challenging year! Did it occur to you, like us, that the shape of the Covid-19 virus is replicated in other parts of nature? Botanically speaking, that is.…
 
We hope you find JCRA's 2020 commemorative T-shirt tasteful yet amusing. Something to cheer you up while further declaring your heart for our mission. We hope you'll wear it proudly (with a mask!) and we expect to see all of you back in the gardens very soon.
 
Note: Pricing and ordering information are still in the works as we just completed the design. But stay tuned! You will be the first to know. Thank you for your support!
A Fall Without Moonlight

By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director

Moonlight in the Garden has become our largest fundraiser—hitting the big three: new and diverse audiences, membership, and historic ticket sales. Cancelling it is not something we take lightly. It is a collaborate effort of many involving a lot of resources that requires a very large crowd to make it successful. We share your disappoint and appreciate your understanding.

Moonlight in the Garden will return November 2021. John Garner and his team at Southern Lights of Raleigh already have us on their calendar!
Fall Programming Stronger than Ever—Virtually

By Arlene Calhoun, Assistant Director

We may not be able to meet in person, but we are all set to meet you face-to-face with some exciting programming via Zoom. There are so many, it’s hard for me to know where to begin. I’m excited about them all!

Landscape Color and Professional Field Day – August 6

Open to Both Home Gardeners and Industry Professionals
Free – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM – Advance Registration Required

If you love our Color Trials and want to know more, register for this program and join us on Thursday when we'll get a virtual tour of this year's trials with trial coordinator, Bernadette Clark, and JCRA gardens manager, Douglas Ruhren. They'll be discussing their favorites and how to use them in the landscape.

Passionate Gardeners Pay Attention

For your fall garden inspiration:

Planning and Planting a Fall Vegetable in the Southeast – Starts September 8

Brie Arthur continues to prove you don't have to have a large garden space to grow tasty eatables . If you're interested in growing your own fall veggies in the space you have available, register for this class. Brie practices what she teaches. From growing to preserving, time with Brie sets you up for a bountiful fall harvest.

"Falling for Color" Fall Symposium – November 14

We continue to make the best of our virtual limitations by creating a speaker line-up that would otherwise be difficult to arrange. This lineup of speakers pushes the boundaries of creativity—think Chanticleer, Mt. Cuba Center, University of Tennessee Gardens, and the passionate vision of Jamaica Kincaid.

We're still sorting out all the registration details, but do check out the speaker lineup. This is a symposium that you don't want to miss.

For those with a passion for propagation:

Home Plant Propagation with Bryce Lane – Starts September 7

Learn successful propagation techniques during this eight-week course that will have you propagating plants in your own backyard . Bryce will share the tricks he's learned over the years propagating a ton of plants from his own home garden.
 
Fern Propagation Workshop – October Date Forthcoming

We've gathered the spores and have the instructor lined up. We're finalizing the details of getting all the materials into the participants' hands to virtually learn how to propagate ferns . Chris is excited about this one because it's our first workshop that will be open to everyone no matter where they live.

Heads-up Beginning Photographers

Mary Louise Ravese of Bella Vista Photography is conducting two virtual workshops to help you get beyond the automatic/program mode on your cameras. She'll be focusing on the five essential camera settings that have the most impact on the look of a photograph: focal length, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. Get yourself ready to photograph the garden when our gates reopen.

There are two separate workshops one for Canon users only and another for Nikon users only. Be sure to register for the appropriate workshop.

Registration is not open for all of the programs I’ve mentioned, but I wanted to get them on your radar so you can save the dates on your calendars! If you’re like us, the sooner you know the better!
Plant Giveaway 2020

By Kathryn Wall, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator

Arboretum members, don't fret. The tradition of giving away thousands of free plants to members will continue, even in 2020, though it will look different. Since little about our typical Annual Plant Distribution would pass Anthony Fauci's or Mandy Cohen's approval, we're working on a safe, physically distant plan to get free plants into your hands. In keeping with a tradition of J. C.'s, we will be offering members a "grab bag of treasures." Stay tuned as all the logistics are still being worked out. As usual, see you October 3, the first Saturday in October.
Upcoming Events

While many of our August events and educational programs have been canceled due to COVID-19, the JCRA has many educational opportunities throughout August to offer.

"Interns' Top Picks"
2020 Summer Interns
Tuesday, August 4 – 9:00 AM

"Across the Border—Mexican Successes in North Carolina"
Mark Weathington, Director
Wednesday, August 5 – 3:00 PM

Open to Both Green Industry Professionals and Home Gardeners
Thursday, August 6 – 10:00 AM

"Plants by Post—A Few of Our Favorite Mail-Order Nurseries"
Mark Weathington, Director
Wednesday, August 12 – 3:00 PM

"Snowbells, Silverbells, and Other Styrax Relatives"
Mark Weathington, Director
Wednesday, August 19 – 3:00 PM

"Some Like It Hot— Plants That Can Take the Heat"
Mark Weathington, Director
Wednesday, August 26 – 3:00 PM

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

By Nancy Doubrava, JCRA Volunteer
Tricyrtis 'Imperial Banner'
variegated toad-lily
Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel'
mallow
Passiflora 'Monika Fischer'
passion flower
Rosa 'Ausquest'
Crocus Rose shrub rose
Crinum ×digweedii 'Mahon'
crinum lily
Lycoris squamigera
surprise lily
Abelia 'X10-9002-23'
abelia
Lagerstroemia indica 'Orchid Cascade'
ground cover crepe myrtle
YouTube Channel Update

By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator

A Plantsmen's Tour and four new Midweek with Mark videos were recorded in July and posted to our YouTube Channel . Additionally, a Plantsmen's Tour from June was posted to our channel. Future Midweek with Mark presentations premiere on YouTube on Mondays.
The Children's Program recently launched a new Virtual Garden Storytime series. Two new videos premiered on YouTube on select Fridays throughout the July.
One new Plantsmen's Tour Short was recorded in July.
We've also gone through our archives and pulled three of our favorites from 2012 and 2011 and uploaded them to YouTube. New videos from the archives premiere on YouTube on Thursdays.
Receive announcements about our latest additions by subscribing to our YouTube Channel . Click on the bell icon to adjust your frequency settings from occasional notifications to all notifications and vice versa.
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 kbwall@ncsu.edu.
Christopher Todd Glenn
Programs and Education Coordinator
NC State University
Campus Box 7522
Raleigh, NC 27695-7522
(919) 513-7005

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