Raulston Blooms!

A Garden Festival for All Ages

  • Saturday, April 7, 2018 – 9:00 am–4:00 pm

What is it? Fun for the whole family! Learn, shop for your garden, get great ideas, and enjoy gourmet treats while supporting the JC Raulston Arboretum. We're rolling out the red carpet for members, home gardeners, families, and children by offering a day that's packed with garden and nature activities, shopping, and outdoor fun.

Enjoy

  • JCRA Spring Plant Sale – plus select guest plant vendors
    • Gardens Direct
    • Pine Knot Farms
    • Mr. Maple
    • Superior Plants Nursery
  • 18th Annual Birdhouse Competition
  • Gardening talks – learn from the experts
    • Bryce Lane – "Great Plants for Your Spring Home Landscape"
    • Mark Weathington – "Gardening in the South"
  • Hands-on fun for children and families
  • Invited artists and craftsmen
  • Food trucks and NC State Howling Cow ice cream cups
  • Educational displays and demonstrations
Gardening Talks

Gardening Talks

Get great ideas for your home landscape from the experts. Bryce Lane, NC State University lecturer and JC Raulston Arboretum director, Mark Weathington, will present an inspiring talks.

Spring Plant Sale

Spring Plant Sale

Gardeners love buying hard to find plants selected especially for our climate by JCRA staff. Plus, this year's plant sale has been expanded and will include Gardens Direct, Pine Knot Farms, Mr. Maple, and Superior Plants Nursery. Members will save 10% on JC Raulston Arboretum plants only.

Members-only Preview Sale

Members can shop early on Friday, April 6 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Not a member? Join today.

Annual Birdhouse Competition

Birdhouse Competition

The 18th Annual Birdhouse Competition, which draws entries in categories from age six to adult, is inspiring, fanciful, and fun! It's a perennial hit with everyone from serious bird watchers and nature photographers to school classes and scouts.

Children and Family

Children and Family

For children there will be exciting hands-on learning activities, garden crafts, and science experiences. Learn about bees, bugs, chickens, and more.

Artists and Vendors

Artists and Craftsmen

Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and items from artisans and vendors.

Food

Food Vendors

Gourmet treats will be available for purchase from food trucks and other vendors. NC State's famous Howling Cow ice cream cups will also be for sale.

Schedule of Events

9:00 am
All Activities Open
JC Raulston Arboretum Plant Sale – Great Lawn
18th Annual Birdhouse Competition – Ruby C. McSwain Education Center
10:30 am
Mark Weathington – "Gardening in the South" and book signing – Speaker's Tent, Great Lawn
11:00 am
Flower Child Face Painting – Ruby C. McSwain Education Center (concludes at 3:00 pm)
12:00 am
Composting with Rhonda Sherman – Great Lawn
Extension Master Gardeners – Great Lawn
1:00 pm
Meet the Bugs with the NC State Entomology Graduate Student Association – Ruby C. McSwain Education Center
1:00 pm
Bryce Lane – "Great Plants for Your Spring Home Landscape" – Speaker's Tent, Great Lawn
2:00 pm
Book Signing – Mark Weathington – Apparel Tent, Great Lawn
4:00 pm
All Activities Close

Gardening Talks

Mark Weathington, Director, JC Raulston Arboretum
"Gardening in the South"
10:30 am – Speaker's Tent, Great Lawn

Bryce Lane, NC State University Lecturer
"Great Plants for Your Spring Home Landscape"
1:00 pm – Speaker's Tent, Great Lawn

Educational Displays and Demonstrations

Artists and Craftsmen

Food Vendors

Proceeds from Raulston Blooms! benefit the daily operations and programs of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Fund-raising efforts for the JC Raulston Arboretum operate under the auspices of the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit (tax ID 56-6049304).

Cost
Free for members and college students with college identification, $5.00 for nonmembers, $10.00 per family. Admission includes admission to the 18th Annual Birdhouse Competition and JCRA Plant Sale, too. The last tickets will be sold at 3:30 pm.
Registration
Tickets for Raulston Blooms! are available the day of the event at the entrance to the JC Raulston Arboretum.
Cancellation
This event is rain or shine and all ticket sales are final.
Location
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available along Beryl Road and in the Brickhaven Building's parking lot.
Questions
Please call (919) 515-3132 for more information about this event.