About Us
The
JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed garden with the most diverse
collection of cold hardy temperate zone plants in the southeastern United States.
As a part of the Department
of Horticultural Science at NC
State University, the Arboretum is primarily a working research and teaching
garden that focuses on the evaluation, selection and display of plant material
gathered from around the world. Plants especially adapted to Piedmont North
Carolina conditions are identified in an effort to find better plants for southern
landscapes.
Additional Information Mission |
The Arboretum is an 10-acre jewel that has been largely built and maintained by NC State University students, faculty, volunteers, and staff. The Arboretum is named in honor of its late director and founder, J. C. Raulston, Ph.D., who founded it in 1976.
Arboretum Features
Gardens not to miss when you visit the Arboretum include the A. E. Finley Rooftop Terrace, Annual Color Trials, Asian Valley, Finley-Nottingham Rose Garden, Geophyte Border, Japanese Garden, Klein-Pringle White Garden, Lath House, Mixed Border, Model Gardens, Scree Garden, Winter Garden, Xeric Garden, and several others.
Plant collections include over 5,000 total taxa (unique taxonomic groups) of annuals, perennials, bulbs, vines, ground covers, shrubs, and trees from over 50 different countries, which are displayed in a beautiful garden setting. Important plant collections include Acer (maple), Aesculus (buckeye), Buxus (boxwood), Cercis (redbud), Ilex (holly), Lindera (spicebush) Magnolia (magnolia), Quercus (oak), Styracaceae (silverbell family), Viburnum (viburnum), and conifers (pines, arborvitae, cypress, etc).
Visit the Arboretum
The Arboretum is open every day of the year from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (April through October) and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November through March) and is located at 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina. There is no charge for admission or parking. For more specific information about visiting the Arboretum, please view this Web site's "Visitor Information" section.
Events and Educational Programs
The JC Raulston Arboretum offers many events and educational programs throughout the year including children's programs, Friends of the Arboretum Lectures, workshops, Annual Plant Distribution, tours, Gala in the Garden, and other horticultural events. To learn more about our upcoming events please visit our Calendar of Events.
Membership
Membership gifts are the primary support for the JCRA's daily operations and vital for its success. Join or renew your membership online through a Web page hosted on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' College Advancement Web site. Join or renew online today!
Volunteers
The volunteer spirit lies at the core of the JC Raulston Arboretum. There are more than 150 active volunteers that help provide Arboretum tours, special programs, and many other services for the Arboretum.
Get Current JCRA Updates
Subscribe to the Cuttings from the JC Raulston Arboretum and receive updates from the JCRA. Cuttings from the JCRA is a great way to keep up with what is happening at the Arboretum from week to week through frequent e-mail posts from the Arboretum staff.