More History of Gardening

Bryce Lane, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University

Mondays, March 19 through April 30, 2018 – 6:30 pm–8:30 pm

Another history class about gardening? You bet! Come join us as we learn about the historical events, people, and cultures that helped to make gardening what it is today. Whether you took the JCRA "History of Gardening" class back in 2016 or not, this class is open to all. There are countless stories about how plants were discovered, gardening techniques invented, and new ideas conceived. By deepening our understanding and appreciation for garden history, we will, in turn, be better gardeners ourselves!

Theobroma cacao

Photography by Cbaile19 (Wikimedia)

Many of the topics to be covered include …

  • Ancient Gardening Cultures and Events
  • The Great Plant Explorers and Collectors
  • Camellias in the Usa, and How Other Plants Came to America
  • Chocolate, Vanilla, and Coffee
  • Oldest Botanic Gardens in the World
  • History of Japanese Gardening
  • Art and Science of Bonsai
  • Great American Horticulturists
  • The Seed Catalogue … Early 20th century gardening … “Who is Burpee?”
  • History of the Garden Center …

Bryce Lane

About Bryce Lane

Bryce grew up in Western Massachusetts, where he discovered his passion for plants and telling others about them, working at a local garden center through high school and college. After earning his B.S. in plant science from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and an M.S. in horticulture from The Ohio State University in 1981, he came to the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University as a lecturer, teaching in both the two-year and four-year programs. He taught plant identification at NC State for 18 years. In 1987, he became the undergraduate coordinator, serving the department in that capacity for 26 years. Bryce taught both large and small courses, for majors and non-majors. In the past 30+ years, he has taught more than 20,000 students. He has received numerous local, regional, and national teaching awards and is frequently invited to speak at many workshops and symposia, about teaching as well as horticulture and gardening. He hosted and produced a three-time, Emmy winning UNC TV public television show called "In the Garden With Bryce Lane" which was on the air for 11 seasons. Most importantly, he has been married for 37 years to his high school sweetheart, has two happily married daughters, and six incredible grandchildren.

Bryce retired from NC State in January 2014, and is now spending more time with his family, pursuing the next chapter in his public speaking career, and teaching part time at NC State and the JC Raulston Arboretum. He served as interim director of the JC Raulston Arboretum from July through November 2014. He is an avid gardener who has gardened in the same spot for more than 30 years!

Cost
$175.00 for members, $225.00 for nonmembers. Note to nonmembers: instead of paying $50.00 more for the program, become a member for $50.00 instead.
Registration
Advance registration is required. Please register online using our registration e-store. Registration is limited to 24 people and is considered complete when payment is received.
Cancellation
Program cancellations can be made up to two weeks before the program's start date. A 15% cancellation fee applies.
Location
JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions
Contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu for more information about this event.