north carolina arboretum tours

Plan a Visit

The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest just south of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Easily accessible via the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway or Interstate 26, the Arboretum is surrounded by the lush, botanically-diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, allowing visitors to connect personally with nature in ways that are as unique and rich as the land itself.

Click here for hours, directions and fees  

The North Carolina Arboretum 101

Why should you visit The North Carolina Arboretum? Here are a few  reasons why visitors continue to come back time and time again:

• 65 acres of cultivated gardens , including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden and the National Native Azalea Collection accredited by the Plant Collections Network.
• 10+ miles of hiking and biking trails   ranging from easy to moderate/difficult.
• A variety of family-friendly nature activities , including self-guided nature explorations and an EcoLab containing live reptiles and amphibians.
• Rotating art, science and educational exhibits displayed year-round.
• On-site bistro and indoor/outdoor dining area offering local, fresh ingredients made to order.
• A gift shop featuring a vibrant selection of hand-made craft items created by local and regional artists.

View Garden & Trail Map

Things to Do in Asheville

Looking for help in planning your trip to Asheville? Visit ExploreAsheville.com for a list of Asheville-area activities, events, restaurants, tours, hotels and more!

Discounted Hotel Rates

Thanks in part to the Arboretum’s Community Partner Biltmore Farms Hotels, Arboretum guests can enjoy a special rate at the following hotels:

• Hilton Biltmore Park
• DoubleTree Biltmore Village
• Hampton Inn & Suites Biltmore Village
• Residence Inn Biltmore

Make Reservation Here

Extend your visit with a year-long membership!

From special events and traveling exhibits to seasonal changes in our carefully-cultivated gardens and the stunning Appalachian landscape, there is always something new happening at The North Carolina Arboretum. By joining The North Carolina Arboretum Society or gifting a membership, you or someone you love can experience a full year of what the Arboretum has to offer, with benefits that include free parking, access to special events, discounts and more.

Garden Etiquette

The North Carolina Arboretum is a stunning, tranquil garden located in beautiful Western North Carolina. We ask that you please be considerate of the following rules so that visitors, plants and animals alike can continue to enjoy this wonderful area:

• Leashed dogs and pets are welcome on property (except during Winter Lights and other specified events). Only service animals are permitted inside buildings and the Bonsai Exhibition Garden. Please be mindful of the gardens and other guests by picking up after your pet.
• Bicycles, roller blades and skateboards are not permitted in the main gardens and Bonsai Exhibition Garden.
• Picnics and outside food and drinks are allowed , however; please be sure to dispose of waste and recyclables in the appropriate receptacles.
• No firearms or outside alcohol are allowed on property.
• Personal photography is allowed . Please visit the photography policy page for more details regarding commercial photography and permits.

For any other questions regarding your visit to The North Carolina Arboretum, please contact us.

Accessibility

The Arboretum’s Education Center, Baker Exhibit Center and main  garden areas are wheelchair accessible. If you have a request or question, please contact the Arboretum at 828-665-2492.

Click here to view accessibility map

Firearms Policy

It is a violation of State criminal law (NCGS 14-269.2) and The N.C. Arboretum Campus policy to possess or carry any Weapon on the Arboretum campus, except under the following circumstances:

• Law enforcement personnel, firefighters, emergency service personnel, and military personnel, carrying out their official duties
• A person who has a legally valid concealed handgun permit or who is exempt from obtaining such a permit under State law, who has a handgun in a closed compartment or container within the person’s locked Vehicle or in a locked container securely affixed to the person’s Vehicle. A person may unlock the Vehicle to enter or exit the Vehicle, provided the handgun remains in the closed compartment at all times and the Vehicle is immediately following the entrance or exit, as provided in NCGS 14-269.2(k). Any such Vehicle, when locked, must be parked in accordance with applicable Arboretum policies.

The North Carolina Arboretum

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The North Carolina Arboretum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville

Plan your summer festival fun in the nc mountains.

We are so lucky to have the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville! Surrounded by the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the NC Arboretum is one of the most beautiful natural garden settings in America. The 434-acre campus in Pisgah National Forest is the ideal place for a sensory-rich stroll or hike while admiring and learning about our natural wonders. Home to many events throughout the year, it is located at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway in south Asheville. Photo above: Fall Quilt Garden

A center for education, research, conservation, and garden demonstration, the Arboretum offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages. Stop by the information desk at the Baker Exhibit Center to pick up a brochure listing educational programs, tours, and events. They also have some great art to admire. 

Learn more about upcoming events at the NC Arboretum here .

Garden Areas

• Blue Ridge Court: A central point of the Grand Garden Promenade and features a garden pool.
• Heritage Garden: The chimney stone foundations and water spring recall features of old homestead sites. The garden includes plants used in the region's medicinal herb and craft industries.
• Holly Garden: Shows a variety of plants in the holly genus that can be grown in this area.
• Plants of Promise Garden: This 1/2-acre garden at the wood's edge features promising landscape plants appropriate for the Southern Appalachian region and demonstrates ways to use stone in the garden.
• Quilt Garden: A floral representation of a traditional quilt pattern, complete with a stone overlook (photo at top of the page - design is butterflies).
• Stream Garden: Planted primarily with native plants, this garden represents a Western North Carolina mountain stream and the plant communities of stream sites.
• National Native Azalea Repository: Established to help preserve and protect native azaleas with 16 of 17 species native to the U.S. See it in full bloom each April.

RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide is delighted to be a Community Partner of the North Carolina Arboretum!

See the impressive and fascinating bonsai collection in the special outdoor garden (usually May-October). During the cooler months, see a tropical bonsai exhibit in the greenhouse at the Baker Center.

Hiking & Biking There are many trails to choose from, including many easy walking trails and easy-to-moderate mountain bike trails.

• The Natural Garden Trail is a 3/4-mile walking trail that makes a loop from the Plants of Promise Garden to the north end of the Core Area Gardens.
• Bent Creek Road and Trail is a 1.3-mile, mostly flat trail shared by pedestrians, pets on leashes, and cyclists with many Southern Appalachian wildflowers and ferns.
• The 1.2-mile Carolina Mountain Trail connects the production greenhouse with the Education Center, Core Garden area, and Bent Creek Road. This trail winds through three different forest types, pine, mixed hardwood, and ericaceous.
• For a full list of trails, see the Arboretum's Hiking page .
• There are many more trails in the surrounding Bent Creek. See our guide to Bent Creek Biking & Lake Powhatan Camping .

Bee Campus USA The Arboretum was certified as the 7th Bee Campus in the nation and the first campus in North Carolina. Seasonal Landscape Exhibits program on plants and nesting sites for pollinator species.

NC Arboretum Fast Facts

• Property Hours: The gardens and trails are open daily, weather permitting, 8 AM-9 PM April-October and 8 AM-7 PM November–March. The entrance gate closes one hour before. The Education Center, Baker Exhibit Center, and Bonsai Garden are open daily 9 AM-5 PM. Bent Creek Bistro opens in March and operates seasonally. Connections Gallery Gift Shop Hours: 10 AM-5 PM.
• Admission: Free, but there is a parking fee. $20 per personal motor vehicle, $60 large vehicles (21′-29′ long), $125 busses and oversize vehicles (30′ long+). First Tuesday of every month, the Arboretum offers a 50% discount on personal vehicle parking.
• No charges apply to pedestrians, bicyclists, or The North Carolina Arboretum Society members.
• The NC Arboretum Society Membership: In appreciation for their support, Members receive special benefits such as free parking, discounts at the gift shop and for education programs, special mailings, member events, a monthly e-newsletter, and reciprocal privileges with more than 200 American Horticultural Society gardens nationwide. 
• Pets: Dogs on leashes are permitted on the grounds and in the gardens (except the Bonsai exhibit). Service or guide dogs only are allowed in buildings & Bonsai exhibits.
• Picnics: Informal picnicking is permitted on the grounds. No alcoholic beverages. Picnic goodies are available for purchase in the education center at the cafe seasonally. 
• Wheelchair Access: The buildings, gardens, and some trails are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available free of charge on-site, on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Directions: The NC Arboretum is located off NC Highway 191, south of Asheville. From I-26, take exit 33; from I-40, use exit #47 (Farmers Market). From both these exits, follow Blue Ridge Parkway (and 191 South) signs to the Parkway entrance ramp. The Arboretum entrance is immediately on the right after exiting onto the ramp. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take the Milepost 393 exit. The Arboretum entrance is on the left, at the end of the ramp.
• Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville
• Telephone: 828-665-2492 | Click here to visit their website .

Returning to the gardens this year, the popular show will return to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air format with glowing landscapes and plenty of new displays. The show will include the 50ft lighted tree, Quilt Garden, many of your favorite lighted designs, and more! We are delighted to be a sponsor of this festive event.

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The North Carolina Arboretum

Price & Hours

• Facilities 3.5
• Atmosphere 4.0

Those with green thumbs will want to put the North Carolina Arboretum on their must-see list. Located 10 miles south of downtown Asheville off of Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 393, the arboretum is a 434-acre natural museum within Pisgah National Forest . Visitors can wander through 65 acres of lush gardens, including a world-renowned bonsai collection and more than 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking and walking. If you’re in Asheville over the holidays, don’t miss the arboretum’s spectacular Winter Lights walk-through experience that illuminates the gardens and grounds with more than a million lights.

Recent visitors raved about the bonsai exhibition as well as the walking trails. Kids can take part in a variety of interactive youth activities, such as the ecoEXPLORER citizen science program and TRACK Trail Guide.

Admission is technically free, but the arboretum charges a $20 parking fee per car. Check out the Arboretum's website for special events and rotating exhibit information to make the most of your visit.

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Coker Arboretum

Plan your visit.

Serene walking paths take you past wildflowers and trees in this 5-acre gem on the UNC campus. Rest on one of several open lawns, or take a seat on a shady bench. Coker Arboretum changes with the seasons: from spring blooms to summer greenery and fall color to winter trees, there’s always something to see.

Coker Arboretum is open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.

Leashed pets are welcome (please pick up after them).

Directions & Parking

Coker Arboretum is located on the corner of Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Street in Chapel Hill. Click here for Google Maps directions . Metered parking is available nearby and around downtown Chapel Hill.

Coker Arboretum paths are mostly flat and either smooth grit or brick. They are wheelchair accessible.

Arbor Renovation in Progress

Support the arboretum, arboretum guide.

Take a tour of Coker Arboretum!

$9 ($8 NCBG Members) Led by an experienced guide, this tour provides a relaxed, informative introduction to this jewel in the heart of Chapel Hill. This walking tour will explore the 5-acres that make up the Arboretum, allowing time for observation and discussion. Each tour differs as the gardens change through the seasons.

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North carolina arboretum tours.

• Things to do

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Visit North Carolina Arboretum

Walk or cycle one of the many trails adjacent to the forest in the North Carolina Arboretum. Attend an exhibit or plant show and admire the natural surroundings of this stunning public garden. View an art show at the Baker Exhibit Center, where displays rotate year-round. At the Education Center, artists and crafters demonstrate the region’s cultural and craft traditions. Catch plant shows at the arboretum on a seasonal basis.

Join a guided trail walk, with trained volunteers leading small groups along the woodland trails. Learn about flora identification, wildflowers and the history of the North Carolina Arboretum. Take in the beauty on your own with a cell phone tour getting information at multiple tour stops throughout the main garden area. These trails are suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels and provide great views of the surrounding wilderness.

Admire the arboretum's impressive bonsai trees. Established in 1992, the collection includes about 100 specimens on display. View the American and non-native hollies in the Cliff and Betty Dickinson Holly Garden. See the ornamental patterns in the Quilt Garden, an arrangement of flowers reflecting quilt designs of the southern Appalachian region.

Explore the Heritage Garden, a demonstration garden for plants used in basketry, dye making and broom making. Distance learning classes offer training in natural dye making.

Browse the Connections Gallery and gift shop, located in the Baker Exhibit Center. Find a selection of high-quality arts and crafts relating to the changing exhibits. Buy a gift for a friend or find something for yourself in the diverse selection of prints, artworks, postcards and other North Carolina Arboretum memorabilia.

The arboretum is located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Entry to the arboretum is free, though some parking fees apply. Opening and closing times, exhibits and plant shows vary depending on the time of the year so check the official website when planning a visit.

Enjoy local and organic dining options at the North Carolina Arboretum’s café, located in the Education Center. Plan a very special Green Wedding at the arboretum’s facilities.

Plan a trip to see North Carolina Arboretum

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Reviews of north carolina arboretum.

Came late and most closed, could only walk their beautiful trails. Wished they were much better marked with directional signs. That part was not done well at all.

5/5 - Excellent

This place was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful gardens, many walking trails and very a nice gift shop with lots of reasonably priced items. Would go again but allow for more time to walk the trails.

Bring bug spray and a water bottle.

Beautiful gardens and trails for extremely reasonable cost (per vehicle not person which is awesome!). Very educational and great for outdoor photography opportunities!

Make sure that you see the Bonsai in the Japanese Garden area

The orchid show in April is fantastic! The quilt garden was so cool but you have to go up the stairs to really see the pattern! The Bonsai garden unfortunately has no bonsai in April must come back in late May!

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Guided Forest Bathing & Nature Therapy

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• Get in touch for a free consultation and let the locals with all the insider tips and tricks help you plan the perfect custom wellness retreat.
• Group Size: 1-30 (contact us for larger groups)
• Location: Various

Experience the healing power of nature therapy

Escape to Asheville’s Blue Ridge Mountains for a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience: a guided forest bathing retreat!

Led by a certified nature therapy guide, this 3-hour experience weaves together mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and embodied nature connection, providing a unique way to explore the wonders of the great outdoors. Through a series of invitations, you’ll have the opportunity to quiet your mind, awaken your senses, and deepen your connection with nature, community and Self.

Meander through the tranquil forest, witnessing the awe-inspiring beauty of these ancient mountains. You’ll be guided along peaceful, gentle trails, truly immersing yourself in the present moment. But wait, there is more! Every forest bathing retreat ends with a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks.

Whether you’re seeking solace in nature or simply looking to unwind after a hectic week, this relaxing and restorative experience is just what you need. Give yourself the gift of tranquility and let the healing powers of nature wash over you. Book your experience now and begin your journey of connection and renewal.

Regularly scheduled community retreats are available on select Saturday afternoons in the fall/winter (Nov – April) and Saturday mornings the rest of the year (May-Sept). Reserve a private retreat any day of the week, set aside exclusively for you and your group… even if you’re a solo adventurer!

Regularly scheduled retreats:

Enjoy the peaceful practice of Forest Bathing on the stunning grounds of the North Carolina Arboretum on select dates each month year-round.

• Join other like-minded participants.
• Great for solo travelers and small groups.
• Price = $55/person
• Includes parking and property access fees
• Location = The North Carolina Arboretum

Register Here 

**these walks are offered in collaboration with Adult & Continuing Education Programs at The North Carolina Arboretum

Make it private!

Reserve a mini-retreat exclusively for you and your crew any day of the week year round!

• Base price = $390 (includes up to 6 guests)
• Additional guests = $65/person
• Asheville Botanical Gardens
• Pisgah National Forest
• The North Carolina Arboretum (+ additional access fee)

Register Here

Special forest bathing events:.

Full Moon Forest Bathing:

Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains . Enjoy a mindful, integrative experience along the French Broad River as the sun sets and the full moon rises. Experience the golden hour and the beauty of dusk and moonlight like never before. During this guided nature immersion, explore a series of invitations to quiet your mind and awaken your senses while deepening your connection with nature, community, and Self.

This gentle and restorative experience is suitable for most ages and activity levels and will not exceed one-mile round trip. We’ll end with a candle-lit wild-foraged tea ceremony!

These retreats take place on peaceful private property.

Cost = $45/person

Register Here!

Blue Ghost Firefly Retreats:

Discover the wonders of the forest during our region’s exciting Blue Ghost Firefly season! Quiet your mind and awaken your senses as the sun sets and marvel at Mother Nature’s light show as sparkling fireflies emerge. We hope to witness the elusive Blue Ghost Fireflies and will surely enjoy the wild-foraged tea ceremony under the stars. This special offering is only offered on select evenings in late May and early June each year with group sizes limited to 10 for a more intimate experience.

Cost = $125/person

Learn More & Register Here!

We also offer virtual forest bathing.

Not coming to Asheville? No problem! Join us for virtual forest bathing to experience the therapeutic power of nature wherever you are in the world!

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Combine multiple experiences to craft your perfect mini-retreat weekend in Asheville! Contact Us to get started.

What will I do on a Forest Bathing mini-retreat?

With the help of a certified guide, guests are led through a series of nature invitations during a leisurely walk on a gentle trail or pathway. The focus will be on mindfulness practices and opportunities to slow down, unplug, and soak up the magic of our wild places. The experience typically lasts 2.5 hours and culminates in a tea ceremony with snacks.

What on earth is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing is simply a guided, immersive experience in nature. Your guide will share mindfulness practices and invitations designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes, as well as the world around you. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, forest bathing retreats invite guests to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for ourselves, our fraught ecosystems, and our community. It is true nature therapy!

This is essentially a mindful, rejuvenating experience in the forest…no actual “bathing” required. For more information, visit our blog: All Things Forest Bathing .

What is the trail like?

The trails visited on a Forest Bathing retreat are gentle and rated easy, though you should expect uneven terrain (like roots and rocks) and may encounter slight inclines along the way. We walk less than a mile. This is a mindful, gentle journey through the forest. 

What should I bring?

Bring sun protection, bug repellent, water, an open heart and mind and anything else you need to be comfortable on this short, gentle stroll. We recommend close-toed shoes and long pants. Be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing and remember that layers are your key to comfort. Rain protection is essential. Please remember that temperatures in higher elevations can be significantly lower than in town and rain is always a possibility.

Do I need a bathing suit to participate in Forest Bathing?

Nope! We’ll be immersing ourselves in the restorative forest atmosphere and aren’t bathing in the traditional rubber-ducky-in-the-bathtub sense. On warm days, we might have the opportunity to dip our feet in a mountain stream and a rain shower is always possible but you can otherwise expect not to get wet.

Who is my guide?

Your guide is certified as a forest therapy guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and holds current certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. They look forward to sharing the practice of forest bathing with you! For our current roster of guides, visit our team page .

What is the cancellation policy?

For regularly schedule, community retreats (ex: full moon forest bathing and retreats at the NC Arboretum):

Due to the special nature of these events, your registration is non-refundable. You may reschedule for a different date if notice is given at least 3 days in advance. Out of respect for all involved in crafting this special experience, the rescheduling option does not apply to cancellations within 3-0 days.

We plan to hold these walks rain or shine. If AWT cancels for any reason, you will be offered a back up tour date or a full refund.

For private groups and custom departures:

Full group cancellations more than 7 days prior to your scheduled experience are refundable minus a $10/person admin fee or your non-refundable deposit (whichever is greater). Alternatively, you may choose a store credit for 100% of your purchase price. Out of respect for your guide’s time, full group cancellations between 7-0 days prior to your experience are non-refundable and no store credits will be issued within that window.

Group size decreases will be accepted up to 72hrs prior to your scheduled experience without penalty as long as minimum group size thresholds are met. Out of respect for your guide’s time, group size decreases between 72-0 hours prior to your scheduled experience are non-refundable and no store credits will be issued within that window.

These minimums and policies ensure all experience providers, guides, instructors, etc are paid a living wage for their work. Thank you for your understanding as we strive to remain as flexible as possible in uncertain times!

Your Role: If you feel ill, are experiencing Covid-related symptoms, or have been in contact with a person with a confirmed case of Covid 19 in the past two weeks, please stay home and let us know as soon as possible. Our stated cancellation policy will still apply. If you are concerned about the risks of last minute cancellation, please consider taking out travel insurance.

Where are the Forest Bathing retreats located?

Community Retreats (join in with other guests on specific dates) are held at the North Carolina Arboretum on select Saturdays year round.

Private Experiences : Due to the customized nature of private retreats, we’ll tailor the trail selection to your group! An Asheville Wellness Tours concierge will reach out to you to ask:

• What part of town you’ll be traveling from
• Age range of your group
• Any needs/preferences (time constraints, transportation limitations, etc)

With that information, your guide will select the best trail for your group. All of the areas we visit for Forest Bathing are within approximately 50mins (an hour or less drive time) of downtown Asheville and are chosen based on the gentleness of the terrain, proximity to town, and your guide’s geographic area of expertise.

One of our favorite forests is accessed by driving along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway while another is located in a peaceful private Preserve. We can even meet you in the Botanical Gardens or North Carolina Arboretum just outside of downtown Asheville if you need a more convenient option.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. 

Full Moon Forest Bathing Retreats  take place on private land just 30 mins from downtown Asheville. Detailed arrival instructions will be provided upon booking.

Blue Ghost Firefly Forest Bathing Experiences: Due to the fragility of the environment we’re visiting and the elusive nature of the Blue Ghosts, the secret location will be shared a few days prior to the event – for now, we can alert guests that it’s about 1hr from downtown Asheville w/ the option to take the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way for a scenic ride. If planning an overnight stay, we suggest looking in the Brevard area for the closest options to the meeting point.

Can you help with transportation?

If you are reserving a private Forest Bathing session , the trail location will be tailored to your group. If you would like to add transportation to your private booking, let us know! With advance notice, we can arrange your transportation for an additional fee.

If you are joining a public Forest Bathing session, you are responsible for getting yourself to/from the trailhead . You can generally plan on the trail head being about an hour from Asheville and will receive detailed driving instructions in your confirmation email. It is important to note that, while an Uber/Lyft may bring you to the trail, they will NOT pick you up from the trail head.

If you do not have transportation, we recommend reaching out to  AVL Ride  several days in advance of your arrival. The team there is familiar with the trailhead and will pre-arrange round trip transportation for some of the most reasonable rates in town.

Capture the magic of your own adventure with personalized photography and videography services! Contact us for details.

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North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum features more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails and a wide variety of cultivated garden areas and natural spaces. It also features the Baker Visitor Center, which houses seasonal indoor traveling exhibits. Permanent and seasonal outdoor exhibits are also featured. The Education Center features additional activities including the Nature Discovery Room, a small self-guided nature museum for kids and families.

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Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville

By jason tarr.

It's called the brightest holiday tradition in Asheville! The North Carolina Arboretum’s annual Winter Lights , which began in 2014, features one million bright, energy-efficient LED lights throughout the nationally-known gardens. The lights illuminate the natural beauty and landscapes of the arboretum during the winter season.

What to Know: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum 2023

• 2023 Dates:  November 17 - December 31
• The lights are on from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night (incoming gate closes at 9 p.m.)
• There are 3 entry times available for each date: 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Attendees may enter the show anytime between the time shown on their ticket and 9 p.m.
• Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased in advance or at the gate (on non-sell-out nights). Ticket prices range from $30-$75 per individual vehicle. An additional $10 is charged if purchasing at the gate on any given night. Additional fees apply for larger vans and motorcoaches.
• This is the largest fundraising effort of the year for the Arboretum. All proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum's annual programming.

Reserve your ticket

Ticket prices range from $30-$75 per personal vehicle. Many nights will sell out, especially on weekends. You are encouraged to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible at ncwinterlights.com . All sales are final unless the Arboretum closes for a weather-related emergency.

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Asheville Orchid Festival will feature thousands of blooms at NC Arboretum

ASHEVILLE - Thousands of extra spring blooms are joining the daffodils this season with the return of the Asheville Orchid Festival.

The Western North Carolina Orchid Society will partner with the North Carolina Arboretum for their 23 rd annual orchid extravaganza to showcase and sell more than 1,000 award-winning blooms. The festival will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13-14. For the first time, the Orchid Society is providing a sneak peek of the festivities 4-8 p.m. April 12. 

The WNCOS, a nonprofit established in 1962, holds the festival yearly to display and sell orchids from their colorful collections and raise important funds. They also aim to educate the public on their passion through a variety of programs. Before last year’s 22 nd annual festival, however, the WNCOS had been unable to host the event since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

WNCOS President Graham Ramsey spoke to the Citizen Times about the public’s response to the event’s rebirth. He estimated that 2023 festival attendance outnumbered 2019 by between 500 and 1,000 festivalgoers, and he hopes for even more growth this year. 

“I think that last year, people were really ready to get out,” Ramsey said. “There was lots of expressed sentiment that they missed the show during the COVID pandemic.” 

In fact, the new “sneak preview night” was added in response to the turnout the WNCOS saw in 2023, a testament to the demand for opportunities to experience their exotic offerings. And the increase in numbers isn’t the only thing changing. Ramsey hopes this year’s “House of Orchids” theme he selected with the help of his wife, Leslie Ann Keller, will call to mind an elegant Victorian conservatory. 

“Usually we arrive at a theme, believe it or not, when we're out hiking. We try to think of a theme that we can also come up with a neat display to match," Ramsey said.

For last year’s “Orchid Express” theme, the display in question was a 24-foot train built by Ramsey that functioned as an eye-catching display for many orchids featured by the festival. For this year’s display he described the ambitious undertaking of building a Victorian-inspired model greenhouse. 

The festival also features a variety of vendors and educational programs. Programs include guided tours of the many orchid exhibits, clinics on how to grow and care for orchids and more. A full list of programs and vendors can be found on the festival website . 

The Asheville Orchid Festival is one of the most important events of the year for the WNCOS. Beyond the opportunity for members of the society to “strut their stuff” as Ramsey put it, the event also provides crucial funding for the nonprofit's operations. 

“The money that we make from the Orchid Show, that's how we operate and are able to not only put on the show, but finance all of our fun activities and speakers and things throughout the year,” Ramsey said. “As the president I like to give back to our members throughout the year with all the things they get; quite a bargain for their $25 membership.” 

Members of the society, after paying the $25 yearly fee – or $35 for families – can enjoy meetings on the second Sunday of every month at the Asheville Visitor Center. Ramsey said these meetings are packed with activities including blossom show-and-tell sessions, regularly planned activities and guest speakers who discuss everything from plant care to deep dives on their favorite orchid species. 

Beyond funding and the chance to display their huge variety of orchids to the public, Ramsey said gaining members of the WNCOS is one of the most important aspects of the festival. He added that the eclectic group welcomes anyone to join them, “whether you have one orchid on your windowsill or 1,000 orchids in your greenhouse." 

Whether you’re a member of the WNCOS or simply a festivalgoer, Ramsey is certain of one thing. 

“When you walk into the auditorium and see all the orchids on display, it'll just blow your mind,” he said. “I've never had anybody not be thoroughly entertained by the amazing displays of the orchids that are in the room." 

Want to go?

Tickets to the Asheville Orchid Festival are $5 at the door. A regular parking fee of $20 for the North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of arboretum members. Visit the WNCOS website for more information on the festival and society memberships.

More: Beer, metal brewery opens in Asheville as a place for 'beautiful weirdos'

More: New Asheville hotel proposed near Biltmore Park as area hotel rooms grow 5% in 2024

Iris Seaton is the Trending News Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at [email protected].

JC Raulston Arboretum

Plan—and plant for a better world

J. C. Raulston

We are open late for Wolfgang!

With the flowering of our Amorphophallus titanum , Wolfgang, the JC Raulston Arboretum has extended its hours from 8:30 AM until 8 PM on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 and Thursday, June 22, 2023. Come on by and check it out. Join us for an informational session about Wolfgang during our Midweek Program, Wednesday, June 21, at 3 PM. Register at jcra.ncsu.edu/midweek/

Special Hours for Raulston Blooms!

The JC Raulston Arboretum is open to ticketed guests only on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00 am through 3:00 pm . Raulston Blooms! tickets will be available at the gate on April 27 (free for members and college students with college identification, $5.00 for nonmembers, $10.00 per family).

Weather Alert

Due to thunder and lightning, the Member Only Spring Plant Sale, Friday, April 28, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm has been suspended. Once the weather is deemed safe again, we will restart. The event will be canceled if conditions are not deemed safe before 6:00 pm No one is permitted in gardens, including the sale area during this time. Reload this page to get the latest update.

Due to thunder and lightning, the Member Only Spring Plant Sale, Friday, April 28, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm has been cancelled. The Spring Plant Sale opens again tomorrow with Raulston Blooms! at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 29.

The Members Only Spring Plant Sale will resume at xx:xx.

Adjusted Hours Alert

The JC Raulston Arboretum will close early at 3:00 pm on the following days : November 17, 18 in order to set up for our Moonlight in the Garden Event.

Southeastern Plant Symposium and Rare Plant Auction

Hosted by the jc raulston arboretum and juniper level botanic garden, friday, june 7 and saturday, june 8, 2024.

Schedule Presentations Speakers Registration Student Scholarships Hotel Sponsors Rare Plant Auction

The world of Horticulture is constantly growing as new plants, new techniques and new philosophies are perpetually generated by the passionate and prolific horticulturists who embody the field. The 2024 Southeastern Plant Symposium is your invitation to be amongst the first to learn about these plant innovations, and even rub elbows with the folks making them, with two incredible days of enlightening programming perfect for every plant lover!

Join fellow plantaholics, plant geeks, nurserymen, gardeners and horticulturists to rethink and reinvigorate modern landscapes. We're talking plants outside our backdoors to plants around the world, low input but high impact performers, super-functional and beautiful to native, rare and unusual. This two-day deep dive into what's new and exciting in the plant world is one you won't want to miss!

Can't make it to Raleigh? Too busy in June to travel? This event will be live-streamed over Zoom and recordings of the presentations will be made available to all participants after the symposium. There's no excuse to miss a moment of this spectacular symposium!

Friday, June 7

Saturday, june 8, presentations, friday presentations.

"Redefining 'Right Plant, Right Place': A Gardener's Ecology"

Colston Burrell Garden Designer, Award-winning Author and Photographer Native Landscape Design, Free Union, Va.

"Right Plant, Right Place" is the gardener's axiom. We all know these words by heart, but do we really put them to work for us when we design gardens and specify plants. Traditionally, we think of matching soil, water and light, and making sure the plant is the appropriate size for the space. But what about the larger ecological context in which we garden? When we plant a flood plain species in an upland, is it really right plant, right place? Using nature as a model, we explore the adaptations that allow plants to cope with the breadth of conditions Mother Nature can dish out. With nature in mind, we combine site appropriate plants to fashion beautiful gardens.

C. Colston Burrell is an acclaimed lecturer, garden designer, award-winning author and photographer. A certified chlorophyll addict, Cole is an avid and lifelong plantsman, gardener and naturalist. He has twice won the American Horticulture Society Book Award for Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide , Timber Press, in 2007, and for A Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Wildflowers , Rodale Press, in 1998. Cole received the Award of Distinction from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers for his work promoting sustainable gardening practices.

He has an M.S. in Horticulture from University of Maryland and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota. He is a lecturer in the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of Virginia, where he teaches about plants and their ecological connections to natural systems and cultural landscapes.

"Plant-welcoming Design: A New Approach to Naturalistic Garden-making"

Keith Wiley Author and Gardener, Wildside Devon, England

Ecological planting has always been about choosing plants and plant communities that will thrive in your garden's conditions. But what if, by reshaping your land, you are able to offer favorable conditions for a far wider range of plants, and more interesting ways to display them?

Over 45 years gardening in Devon, England, Keith Wiley has evolved a style of gardening based on modifying natural landscapes from around the globe. The gardens he created have been described by national commentators as "the most exciting and innovative gardens in Britain today" and the best example of "leading-edge horticulture" in his home country.

Keith is a regular contributor to horticultural and lifestyle magazines and has appeared on many gardening television programs in the United Kingdom. Keith has written three books and has lectured widely all over the world.

"The Chanticleer Gravel Garden"

Lisa Roper Gravel Garden and Ruin Horticulturist, Chanticleer Wayne, Pennsylvania

For the past ten years, Lisa Roper has managed the Gravel Garden at the renowned public garden, Chanticleer in Wayne, Pennsylvania. A gently sloping site planted with a mix of fine textured grasses, gray-leafed Mediterranean plants, drought tolerant perennials, annuals and hardy succulents, the gravel garden is a stunning and unique landscape. Lisa will introduce some of her favorite plants, talk about plant combinations, her naturalistic design approach and different gravel mixes.

Lisa Roper is the Gravel Garden and Ruin horticulturist at Chanticleer, a public garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania where she has gardened for the past 34 years in various parts of the garden. Lisa also photographs Chanticleer Garden weekly for What's in Bloom on the Chanticleer website.

Lisa has a BFA in fine art from The Cooper Union in NYC where she studied fine art and photography. She is a graduate of the Longwood Gardens Professional Gardener Training Program. Lisa has been a guest gardener at Stellenbosch University Garden in South Africa and Great Dixter in East Sussex, England. She is also a contributor to The Art of Gardening: Design Inspiration and Innovative Planting Techniques from Chanticleer .

In her spare time, she gardens at home with her husband, Allan Summers, and a flock of chickens who nibble the insects as she weeds.

"All the Other Irises"

Kevin Vaughn Author and Hybridizer Salem, Oregon

Tall bearded irises are one of the jewels of the spring garden but they can be difficult garden subjects in certain climates, cultural situations as they require more full sun and well-drained (but moisture retentive) soil. Luckily, the genus Iris is full of plants that will grow in almost any garden situation. Within the bearded irises, the dwarf and median irises contain species and hybrids with unique flower colors and patterns, smaller stalks creating more compact plants with increased resistance to rot and other diseases. Moreover, these types extend the iris season by four to six weeks. In the beardless irises, many improvements have been made in the traditional Siberian, Japanese, spuria and Louisiana iris groups, including repeat bloomers and novel colors. Hybridizers have become more adventurous with other beardless species both in improving the species itself but also making hybrids between both related and unrelated species. The results have been spectacular and whole new types of irises have recently appeared on the market. These hybrids extend the time of iris bloom from winter to fall. No longer do iris growers have to settle for a limited bloom time or growing irises in a limited type of gardening situations.

Kevin Vaughn has been hybridizing plants since age 9 (61 years!!) with work on irises, hostas, and Sempervivum being part of these early efforts. His curiosity about plant genetics led him to a pursue a Ph.D. in plant genetics, where he researched the genetics of variegation in Hosta . After graduate school, Kevin spent 30 years as a research cell biologist for the USDA in Stoneville, Mississippi where he investigated weeds and herbicides but also hybridized irises, daylilies, daffodils and Tradescantia .

After retirement in 2010, Kevin moved to Salem, Oregon to pursue hybridizing more aggressively and restarted his Sempervivum program as well as extending the iris, daffodil and dayliliy hybridizing. Presently over 200 varieties of plants have been introduced and more are being ramped into production each year. Besides his hybridizing work, Kevin has authored and co-authored three books on irises and one on Sempervivum .

"Knockout Natives"

Sam Hoadley Manager of Horticultural Research, Mt. Cuba Center Hockessin, Delaware

Join Sam Hoadley, the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center, as he highlights knockout native species and cultivars from their trials. Top performers and favorites of Monarda , Phlox , Echinacea , wild hydrangea, Carex and Amsonia represent some of the best native plants for the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Sam will discuss their horticultural and ecological performance and will share important information on standouts that will make beautiful additions to your garden.

Sam Hoadley is the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center where he evaluates native plant species, old and new cultivars, and hybrids in the Trial Garden. In 2023, Sam was selected as a member of Greenhouse Product News's "40 under 40", a program that awards horticultural professionals for their "superior leadership, creativity, compassion and innovative thinking."

Sam started in his role at Mt. Cuba in March 2019 and since then has authored several research reports including Helenium , Echinacea , and Wild Hydrangea for the Mid-Atlantic Region . Most recently, he released a very well-received and highly anticipated report on Carex . Sam earned his degree in Sustainable Landscape Horticulture from the University of Vermont.

Friday Evening Dinner Presentation (additional registration fee required)

"Chasing New Knowledge among Perennial Change"

Janet Draper Mary Livingston Ripley Garden Horticulturist, Smithsonian Gardens Washington, D.C.

It is said that nothing remains the same except for change, and that is so true for the way we garden, the abundance of available information and even the purpose of a garden. Join us for a look back at these gradual changes and the thought leaders and technologies that have pushed us forward. Janet Draper has spent her career chasing information, only to discover that there is a huge difference between information and knowledge in the world of horticulture.

Janet Draper earned a degree in Horticulture from Purdue University, then spent the next ten years really learning through working in perennial nurseries in the U.S., Germany and England putting plants in little black plastic pots. Finally, she started putting plants in the ground and really seeing what they did through years of private estate work.

Over 25 years ago, she learned Smithsonian was hiring gardeners. What a change from working alone, to working in front of visitors from around the globe who stumble upon her playground, The Mary Livingston Ripley Garden on the National Mall. This wee sliver of a garden is open 24 hours a day and is jam packed full of amazing plants every season of the year. Janet is fortunate to make all planting choices in the garden and is always pushing to try something new.

Saturday Presentations

"Shade Gardening with New Perennials"

Dan Heims President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. Tigard, Oregon

Discover how to master different types of shade and learn how to conquer the problems of root and light competition. Drool over gorgeous plant combinations that feature an overview of new perennials and old favorites. Dry shade? You'd be surprised what thrives there! Also, find out how to create spectacular shade containers. Some cool and surprising plant offerings are in store.

Since 1973, Dan Heims has been deeply involved in all facets of horticulture. He's currently the president of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., a company noted for its 1300 new introductions to horticulture. Dan's articles and photography have been featured in a number of magazines.

He has taught horticulture courses, wholesaled exotic plants, and run his own design and build landscape business. He has hosted a weekly gardening show on radio (KKSN) and has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show , Martha Stewart Living Channel, Homegrown, and on BBC. Dan's work and garden have been featured in USA Today and several magazines. He was honored by The American Horticultural Society with the Luther Burbank Breeding Award, as well as the Perennial Plant Association's Award of Merit. He was honored by receiving the Royal Horticultural Society's Reginald Cory Cup for advancements in breeding.

"Garden Treasures from America's Grasslands: The Legacy of Claude Barr"

Jim Locklear Director of Conservation, Lauritzen Gardens Omaha, Nebraska

Claude Barr homesteaded a parcel of South Dakota prairie in 1910, hoping to make a living as a farmer. What transpired over the next 72 years is a remarkable story, culminating in a classic of American garden literature, Jewels of the Plains . Jim Locklear will profile the life of Claude Barr and the many native grassland wildflowers introduced to the gardening world through Barr's writings and his mail-order nursery.

Jim Locklear is a botanist and horticulturist and has been Director of Conservation at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska since 2010. Previously he was Director of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Kansas. Jim is the author of Phlox: A Natural History and Gardener’s Guide (Timber Press; 2011) and the forthcoming In the Country of the Kaw: A Personal Natural History of the American Plains (University Press of Kansas; 2024). He served as editor of the revised edition of Claude Barr’s classic but long out-of-print Jewels of the Plains .

"Not Your Grandmother's Sempervivum"

The succulent genus Sempervivum has approximately 50 species, centered in the European mountains, but also spread into the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in the west and the mountains of Iran and Turkey. Amazingly, all 50 species may be crossed to produce an F1 and many of these hybrids are themselves fertile. Although most are familiar with the green with purple tips S. tectorum , work by hybridizers has produced plants from ¼" to 16" in diameter and colors from gold to black. In addition, hairs on the leaf surface can give a velvety texture or, if the hairs are concentrated to the leaf tips, a "cobweb" is coalesced over the rosette surface. Most Sempervivum species increase by sturdy stolons but cultivars of S. heuffelii increase by crown division, forming very tight clumps; in the S. globiferum cultivars, the stolons are fragile and release the daughter rosettes, allowing them to roll away. Because of their easy culture, they have become favorites of gardeners of all ages and there is a choice of over 7,000 cultivars and species accessions for the gardener. They are easy pot plants but also choice residents of the rock garden and even as ground covers.

"Welcome to the Zone 8 Mafia: Musings from the Southern Garden Girl"

Dawn Stover Study Leader and Agronomist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Nacogdoches, Texas

After a 25 year career in horticulture, Dawn Stover's passion for native plants blossomed into a career in natural resources conservation. She quickly learned that the same regional provenance issues that plague southern gardeners is current in large scale land restoration projects as well. As the horticultural world trends more toward naturalistic landscapes, and wildlife and pollinator gardens continue to remain on-trend, heat and humidity tolerant native plant options for southern gardeners are hard to find. Join Dawn as she navigates through the open-pine forests of East Texas on the hunt for natives with ornamental potential.

Dawn Stover joined the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in November of 2021 as the study leader and agronomist at the East Texas Plant Materials Center in Nacogdoches, TX. She is currently working on germplasm adaptation trials, conservation plant releases and seeding rate studies to benefit landowners and land managers in the Western Coastal Plain.

Prior to her current service, Dawn spent more than two decades as a Research Associate at Stephen F. Austin State University where she developed an extensive program to collect, propagate, display and distribute plants native to the Pineywoods of East Texas. She has extensive greenhouse and nursery experience and a focus on growing plants that are beneficial to pollinators. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with the public through talks, tours and in-person demonstrations, and was responsible for elevating the biannual plant sales for a successful regional event.

"Surprise, Surprise, Surprise — The Magical World of Lycoris"

Tony Avent Founder of Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden Raleigh, North Carolina

Lycoris is an amazing group of summer-flowered amaryllids, of which only a few cultivars are widely known.  JLBG hosts the worlds largest collection of over 1000 selected clones, so we’ll explore everything from its thoroughly confusing taxonomy to its garden history and culture.

Tony Avent is the owner of Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina, both being based on extensive field research, educational outreach, and conservation. Not only has Tony completed 60 international and southeastern United States botanical expeditions, but he is a popular freelance garden writer and lecturer (over 640 lectures since 1990). He is also a prolific hosta breeder.

Tony serves on many committees, including the USDA-ARS Hardiness Zone Map Revision Advisory Committee, North Carolina Department of Agriculture Plant Conservation Scientific Committee, and the Woody Plant Advisory Committee. He's a contributing editor for Horticulture magazine and was an invited participant in the St. Louis Summit, a workshop on linking ecology and horticulture to prevent plant invasions.

"That's No Place for Ferns! Sun-loving Ferns for Southeastern Landscapes"

Patrick McMillan Horticulturist, Downtown Cary Park Cary, North Carolina

We think of ferns being denizens of moist, cool and shaded locations. This is not the case for a large number of sun-loving, drought tolerant ferns that make stunning additions to the garden. We will explore the strange adaptations such as fuzzy fronds and desiccation tolerance that have allowed ferns to make forays into the driest of habitats and how we can best accommodate their needs to include their unusual and remarkable forms in our home landscapes. Rock gardens are perfect locations for many species but there are a surprising number of ferns that will tolerate or thrive in sunny locations in your perennial border as well.

Patrick McMillan is a lifelong gardener and is presently the resident Horticulturist for the Downtown Cary Park. Patrick received his B.S. in biology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and his Ph.D. in biological sciences from Clemson University. He is perhaps best known as the Emmy Award-winning host, co-creator and writer of the popular ETV nature program Expeditions with Patrick McMillan.

For over 30 years, Patrick has worked as a professional naturalist, biologist and educator. His range of experience has concentrated on botany, though he is also well-respected through his work in ichthyology, herpetology and mammalogy. Patrick is a professional naturalist and served as the Glenn and Heather Hilliard Professor of Environmental Sustainability at Clemson University, the director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden, the director of Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Washington and the Director of Horticulture at the Juniper Level Botanic Garden.

"Orchid Dreams"

Amanda Bennett Vice President, Horticulture and Collections, Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta, Georgia

We had no idea what 2020 would bring. Excitement eclipsed all other emotions as we realized we were on the brink of something unprecedented for the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The full scale development of a hardy orchid collection. The stuff of horticultural dreams in the midst of a global pandemic. Then, two polar vortexes in the four years since. Where did we start? What have we planted? What did we learn? And what are we working on now? It's still the stuff of horticultural dreams.

Amanda Bennett joined the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2002 as a horticulturist and three years later was named its Manager of Display Gardens. As Vice President of Horticulture and Collections, Amanda oversees the development and enhancement of the ABG's prestigious collections of both indoor and outdoor plants managed by 35 professional horticulturists. In addition, she oversees the landscape design and continued execution of the master plan of 30 acres of gardens as well as displays in the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center. She also participates in the development and installation of special exhibitions, ensuring that horticulture enhances and complements the garden's recurring art installations.

Amanda also has written in and been cited frequently for local and national publications, as well as being featured on local and national television. She has written for publications such as Garden Design Magazine and The Cactus & Succulent Journal , as well as appearing in The New York Times , Garden Smart , Walter Reeves and The Weather Channel among other media outlets.

A native of Madison, Georgia, Amanda received her bachelor's degree in horticulture at the University of Georgia and completed an internship at Chicago Botanic Garden before joining ABG.

Founder, Plant Delights Nursery & Juniper Level Botanic Garden

Amanda Bennett

Vice President, Horticulture and Collections, Atlanta Botanical Garden

C. Colston Burrell

Garden Designer, Award Winning Author and Photographer

Janet Draper

Mary Livingston Ripley Garden Horticulturist

President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

Sam Hoadley

Manager of Horticultural Research, Mt. Cuba Center

Jim Locklear

Director of Conservation, Lauritzen Gardens

Patrick McMillan

Horticulturist, Downtown Cary Park

Gravel Garden and Ruin Horticulturist, Chanticleer

Dawn Stover

Study Leader and Agronomist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Kevin Vaughn

Author and Hybridizer

Keith Wiley

Author and Gardener, Wildside

Registration

Registration fees for in-person, on-site attendance include Friday and Saturday presentations, networking breaks, lunch on Friday and Saturday, and access to presentation recordings post symposium. Online registration includes a live stream of Friday's and Saturday's presentations and access to recordings post symposium.

The Friday evening dinner presentation is optional and requires an additional registration fee. To attend, select the dinner and presentation option during registration. Additional guests can be added for Friday's dinner presentation during registration.

Early Registration, In-Person Attendance (ends Sunday, May 5, 2024): $250.00.

Regular Registration, In-Person Attendance (Monday, May 6 through Sunday, June 2, 2024): $300.00.

Late Registration, In-Person Attendance (Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, 2024): $350.00.

Optional Friday Evening Dinner Presentation: $80.00.

Online Attendance Registration: $200.00.

Registration for In-Person Attendance Registration for Online Attendance

Cancellations must be requested before May 24, 2024. Refund requests received before May 24, 2024 will be processed minus a 15% cancellation fee. After May 24, 2024, there will be no refunds for cancellations, no-shows or unused registrations or dinner registrations.

Student Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of Ball Horticultural Inc. and Healy Horticulture, the JC Raulston Arboretum and Juniper Level Botanic Garden are pleased to offer 12 student scholarships to this year's Southeastern Plant Symposium.

Applicants must be actively working towards a degree (associate's, bachelor's or graduate level) or have graduated with a degree in 2024. Scholarships cover the full cost of the symposium including Friday's dinner presentation and one night accommodations in the conference hotel (if coming from out of town). The application deadline is May 19, 2024.

2024 SEPS Student Scholarship Application

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the annual Southeastern Plant Symposium hosted by the JC Raulston Arboretum and Juniper Level Botanic Garden. Interested or have questions? Contact Amy Beitzel at [email protected] or 919-515-1680.

Events like this innovative symposium are only possible through the support of our fellow horticulturists. We hope that you will consider sponsoring the symposium so that we can continue sharing the endlessly exciting discoveries in the world of plants. Proceeds support the mission of the JC Raulston Arboretum and the Juniper Level Botanic Garden Endowment.

Our thanks to these sponsors who provide their generous support to the Southeastern Plant Symposium. Check back as new sponsors are added.

Friday Dinner Sponsor

Keynote Speaker Sponsors

Break Sponsor

Student Scholarship Sponsor

Friday Lunch Sponsor

The host hotel for the Southeastern Plant Symposium is the Hilton Raleigh North Hills , located at 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.

All presentations on Friday and Saturday will take place at the hotel as well as the Friday evening dinner and presentation.

Hotel Reservations

Book Your Room To make your reservation, please visit Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel's Web site .When making a reservation using the link above, our group name is already applied.

Attendees can also book their reservation by calling 1-800-HILTONS to reach a reservations agent. When calling to book a reservation, it is extremely important to reference the Group Code "24SEPS" and specify the dates to ensure the reservation is at the group rate.

Please note that our group rate expires on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Continuing Education Credits

We plan to apply for continuing education credits with the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB) and the North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects. When approved, we will update this page with that information.

NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board

The North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB) has approved this symposium to provide continuing education for landscape contracting under N.C.G.S. 89D.

Both in-person and online attendees are eligible for 5 total landscape credit hours. Online participants will be required to attend the live presentations to receive credit. No credit will be given for watching recordings after the event.

North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects

The North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects (NCBOLA) has approved this symposium for 10 continuing education hours.

Rare Plant Auction

The accompanying Rare Plant Auction has already reached legend status in the industry, and this Rare Plant Auction is going to be our biggest and best auction to date. When the auction goes live, we'll have over a hundred plants ready for bidding. Plants will be added as we get them, including the days of the Southeastern Plant Symposium itself, so make plans to check the auction listings each day. Because when cool plant people get together, they share cool plants!

The Rare Plant Auction will open at noon on Monday, June 3 and will close at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 8.

Sign up now to receive information about the auction and be notified when bidding begins.

Auction proceeds benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum and the Tony & Anita Avent Juniper Level Botanic Garden Endowment. Funds supporting the JC Raulston Arboretum are managed by the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Tax ID 56-6049304.

Contact the JCRA Education Team at [email protected] for more information about registration, presentations and other symposium information.

4415 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC 27606

Open Every Day. Free Admittance. Current Hours am –4:30 pm Friday: 9:00 am –8:00 pm Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 am –8:00 pm

No Pets or Emotional Support Animals Allowed Service Animals Welcome

Phone: (919) 515-3132

Mailing Address: Campus Box 7522 Raleigh, NC 27695-7522

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These 10 beaches were voted best in North Carolina: See the rankings, things to do

The 2024 10Best USA TODAY Reader's Choice list of best beaches in North Carolina is here just in time for the summer months .

As always, beaches were chosen by an expert panel and voted on by readers. With two national seashores, seven coastal lighthouses and around 300 miles of barrier island beaches, this was no small feat.

Here's a rundown on the 10Best Reader's Choice winners, some fan-favorite attractions and more.

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Best beaches in NC

The full list of Reader's Choice winners:

Ocean Isle Beach

Carolina beach, wrightsville beach, holden beach, atlantic beach, kill devil hills, topsail beach.

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10Best praised Ocean Isle Beach for soft, sandy shores and water ideal for swimming. The list suggested spotting marine life like dolphins and sea turtles and visiting the Museum of Coastal Carolina to learn about the area's biological wonders.

Some of Tripadvisor's top options for things to do in Ocean Isle Beach:

• Surfing and Windsurfing with Carolina School of Surf
• Enjoy a tasting at Silver Coast Winery
• Choose from adventures including off-roading, ziplines, boat tours and more at The Swamp Park

Praised as a perfect spot for a "laid-back and down-to-earth beach vacation," Carolina Beach features a bustling boardwalk and plenty of different beach activities available including surfing, kayaking, fishing and more.

Some of Tripadvisor's top options for things to do in Carolina Beach:

• Take an eco-tour with Paddle NC
• Learn to surf or windboard at Tony Silvagni Surf School
• Taste your way across town with a unique food tour from Tasting History

10Best said that Kure Beach is small but beautiful, with impressive landscapes and excellent spaces for sunbathing and swimming. The town's long-standing fishing pier was another of the list's suggestions.

As for Tripadvisor's suggestions, these are a few of the top options:

• See marine life up close at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
• Explore the salt marsh at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Just east of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is an "idyllic escape" at the edge of New Hanover County. 10Best praised Wrightsville's soft, sandy shoreline, plus a bonus for television fans: The destination was a prominent filming location for "Dawson's Creek."

Some of Tripadvisor's options for things to do in Wrighstville Beach:

• Peruse fresh seafood options at Motts Channel Seafood
• Get a historical rundown at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
• Visit one of two different piers, Crystal Pier and Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier

10Best appreciated Oak Island's natural areas, full of native birds and mammals, and its lengthy 10-mile shoreline where visitors can relax on the sand and splash in the surf.

Some of Tripadvisor's top options for things to do in Oak Island:

• Get a better view of the island from the top of Oak Island Lighthouse
• Relax with calmer waters and wildlife at The Point beach
• Take a high-altitude tour with High Tide Helicopters

With a lower population, Holden Beach is a good option for a more relaxed seaside getaway. The 10Best list said that golf, shell hunting and watching sea turtles hatch are some of the best options for summer month acticities.

Some of Tripadvisor's choices for the area:

• Grab a sweet treat at Sunset Slush
• Pontoon and kayak tours with TourH2O
• Book a fishing trip through Ollie Raja Fishing Charters

10Best praised Atlantic Beach's Atlantic Ocean views and Bogue Sound, plus the Atlantic Beach Town Park and its 18-hole mini-golf course.

Tripadvisor suggests:

• Rent some gear or try out a jetski with AB Watersport Adventures
• Grab a bite at Oceanana Pier & Pier House Restaurant
• Hike, bike and learn about history at Fort Macon State Park

Famous for its role as the location where the Wright Brothers first took flight, Kill Devil Hills is a place that can be enjoyed by history buffs and sunbathers alike.

Some of Tripadvisor's top suggestions for Kill Devil Hills:

• Get an adrenaline rush on a hang-glider tour with UltraFlight OBX
• Enjoy nature at the Outer Banks Arboretum And Teaching Garden
• Explore (and pay your respects) at the Wright Brothers National Memorial

Blackbeard and other famous pirates are said to have frequented Topsail Beach and surrounding areas. These days, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, sunbathing and more without an impending threat of pirates.

A few suggestions from Tripadvisor include:

• Play putt-putt and get retro at Patio Playground , established in 1955
• Get the rundown on pirates and other historical happenings at Missiles and More Museum

Last but not least, Surf City received praise on this 10Best list for its picturesque beauty and many restaurants lining the shore. USA TODAY also suggested a visit to the Topsail Touch Tank Aquarium.

Some of Tripadvisor's suggestions for top attractions in Surf City included:

• Visit sea turtles in rehabilitation at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
• Get pampered at Inis Spa
• Enjoy fishing, waterskiing, jetskiing and more with Surf City Jet Ski & Watersports

Closest best NC beach to Asheville

Of the 10 on 10Best's list, the highest-rated beach, Ocean Isle, was the closest to Asheville. Still quite a drive from the mountains to the sea - roughly 331 miles - but certainly worth the trip for a weekend by the ocean.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: These 10 beaches were voted best in North Carolina: See the rankings, things to do

Asheville's NC Arboretum drew crowds for prime solar eclipse viewing

ASHEVILLE - Western North Carolina had the best view in the state of the 2024 total eclipse, with up to 87% coverage in some areas of the region, which helped to draw crowds from across North Carolina to sit on the grass and stare up at the sky.

Fair weather, spring blooms and enthusiastic crowds showed up for the rare event at the 434-acre North Carolina Arboretum.

After closing the entrance gate due to a lack of parking, Arboretum Communications Manager Brian Postelle said he couldn't remember another event as busy, with the possible exception of the Arboretum's annual Winter Lights show.

Toward the back of the Arboretum Education Center, the eclipse elicited "Oohs" and "Aahs" from viewers young and old, especially during peak coverage at 3:09 p.m. Clouds that had been covering the sky dissipated shortly before the eclipse's peak.

The event included a presentation from Vice President of Education for the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Theresa Schwerin, who demonstrated the proper use of eclipse glasses, how to track data for GLOBE Observer, and facts about past and future eclipses.

The N.C. Arboretum partnered with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies to bring two NASA-funded citizen science programs, GLOBE Observer and Eclipse Soundscapes, to the Asheville area.

GLOBE Observer is a NASA-funded citizen science database in which participants collect data on temperature changes, cloud changes and land coverage from the solar-lunar crossover.

Recording temperature data during the eclipse for GLOBE Observer, Schwerin and others recorded a nearly 10-degree temperature drop from 76 degrees to around 67 degrees.

The next total solar eclipse to pass over the contiguous United States will be August 2044, Schwerin noted. The next time North Carolina is in the direct path of a total solar eclipse will be in 2078, Schwerin said. Before the 2017 eclipse, the last total eclipse to cross over North Carolina skies was in 1900.

Attendees show eclipse excitement

Sitting on the edge of a small pool near the Arboretum entrance, Jenna Mixon stared into a modified Ritz Cracker box just as the eclipse began around 2 p.m.

Mixon felt there was "more hype" around this year's eclipse than the 2017 celestial event, which might explain why she couldn't find eclipse glasses earlier in the day.

Instead, Mixon made a pin-hole camera out of the box, allowing her to view the eclipse safely. She had done the same thing during the 1979 eclipse in Chicago, she said.

Also at the event were James and Merle Dixon, who made the four-hour trip from Fort Bragg to the Arboretum. Both were wearing "Total Eclipse 2024" merchandise and vibrant eclipse glasses. Merle spread out a blanket and stared at the sky during peak coverage.

Though the next eclipse is 20 years away, James Dixon hopes to observe it from the path of totality, perhaps in North Dakota, South Dakota or Montana.

"I guess I'm going to have to take a trip to Montana," he said while staring at the sky.

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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected].   Please help support this type of journalism with a  subscription  to the Citizen Times .