JC Raulston Arboretum e-Update

December 2003

In This Issue

Director's Note

Now that we are firmly entrenched in "Eastern Standard Time," it is a good time to remind you of our winter visitation hours. While we remain "open" at 8:00 AM, our gates will close at 5:00 PM. This includes both our parking lot gate and our pedestrian gate along Beryl Road. Safety and security are the driving forces behind this practice. Darkness is not far behind 5:00 PM these days and our grounds are either not well enough lit or have no lighting at all. Insuring the safety of our visitors is of the utmost importance to us and certainly adds to the good peace of mind for all parties. Please keep in mind that if you are still enjoying your stay past 5:00 PM and you've parked in the lot, the closed parking lot gate will open when you approach it, slowly. So, you can always get out but not always get in! We continue to close our parking lot gate on the weekend, mainly for security reasons. We have been the target of significant theft in the past year and feel that this measure will deter some of that threat when there are no staff are in the McSwain Center. Please note that we remain open 7/365......7 days of the week/365 days of the year; you'll just have to park along Beryl Road some of those days......where there is generally no shortage of space. And please note that we have secured a "no parking" space directly in front of our smooth access curb by the pedestrian gate. We hope this insures easier access for all who visit the JCRA. – Bob Lyons, Director

Ennie, Meeni, Minee, Mahonia

MahoniaScattered throughout the Arboretum are about 230 plants of Mahonia lomariifolia (Burmese mahonia) and Mahonia (Yucca Do Hybrids). What is so significant of these plants to warrant so many of them? Many of those labeled as Mahonia (Yucca Do Hybrids) represent possible hybrids of M. lomariifolia and Mahonia bealei (leatherleaf mahonia) gathered from seed at Peckerwood Gardens/Yucca Do Nursery (Hempstead, TX). This is a similar parentage of the cultivars of Mahonia ×media (M. japonica × M. lomariifolia), a fantastic group of winter blooming broadleaf evergreens.

These mahonias have been in the ground for approaching seven years now and have reached a point that an evaluation for landscape merit and/or breeding potential is warranted. They are also being evaluated alongside named cultivars and any other Mahonia species present in the collections. Factors such as flowering time, color, inflorescence size, fragrance, plant size, and overall landscape appeal of the plants are being recorded.

Data gathered from these evaluations could lead to further cultivar development from the JCRA in this fantastic group of plants. Also benefiting from these evaluations will be a more encompassing knowledge of this genus which could be used in a Mahonia breeding program. – Jon Roethling, Horticultural Technician

Behind the Gate

seed cleaningDo you recall the wet, cool spring earlier this year? Well, not only was it enjoyable then, but we are able to reap the benefits again this fall. The extended spring was ideal for pollination, cool temperatures kept the pollen viable until the bees could do their thing. The student workers have been collecting seeds every week for the past two months. We had a banner year in the Magnolia collection, there should be lots of neat cross pollination results. Several Viburnums had a good fruit set along with a Sorbus that was thankful the students came along to lighten the load. Just about everything has been collected for now, except the Pinus taeda 'Nana'. We will be looking to harvest the cones on the dwarf loblolly pines in a few weeks. Now the cleaning, sorting, and drying of our bounty will begin. Thanks to Mother Nature for adding plants to our collections and distribution programs. – Anne Calta, Horticultural Technician

JCRA Gift Ideas

engraved bricksAre you looking for a gift for a friend or family member? Here are a couple items sure to please every garden enthusiast on your list.

Purchasing an engraved brick is a great way to show your support, while honoring your organization, friends, or family. They make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, memorials, or honoraria. The donation for each brick ordered is $100.00. Engraved bricks will be placed in the pedestrian area outside of the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center. Call Donna at (919) 513-3826 for more information or to order a brick. You can also fill out our brick order form to order an engraved brick.

Another great idea would be to donate a bench in honor of your loved one. I'm sure you've enjoyed a brief respite or a long meditation while sitting on one of the many beautiful benches placed throughout the garden. Again, call Donna for more information at (919) 513-3826.

Just one more thing. We hope to hold our Used Garden Book sale again this spring. Donations are needed. Are you ready to clean out your bookshelf or replace some old favorites you're no longer using? Bring them to the Ruby C. McSwain Center any weekday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Call Donna Walker at (919) 513-3826 for more information. – Donna Walker, Develoment Associate

Planting the Seeds for Development.....Short and Sweet!

End-of-Year Giving!

It's that time again....

Hoe! Hoe! Hoe! Can you "dig" it? (Sorry, I could not resist the seasonal word play!)

In the spirit of the holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given so generously of their time, energy, and dollars in support of the JC Raulston Arboretum. We would not have the world-renowned facility, plant collections, and dedicated staff without your assistance and support.

If you have not made an annual donation to the JCRA, or if you are considering an additional contribution, this is a wonderful opportunity to make your end-of-the-year (tax-deductible) gift to the Arboretum.

Again, many thanks for your support and happy holidays!

If you are interested in receiving more information on will bequests, a planned gift, a memorial/tribute gift, or other JCRA giving opportunities, please give Anne Porter a call at (919) 513-3463 or e-mail <anne_porter@ncsu.edu>. – Anne Porter, Director of Development

Coming Attractions – Highlights of December

Pinus wallichiana 'Zebrina'Too bad December only comes once a year. So many interesting plant forms and evergreens are now taking the stage. Visit the annuals trial area with pansies, violas, snapdragons, sedum, dianthus, and a wide assortment of ornamental vegetables now under evaluation.

December

Conifer Collection
Cedrus deodara 'Glacier Blue' – dwarf Deodar cedar
Pinus taeda 'Nana'  – dwarf loblolly pine
Pinus armandii – Chinese white pine

Klein-Pringle White Garden
Acer palmatum [Dissectum Atropurpureum Group] – red lace-leaf Japanese maple
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' – weeping blue Deodar cedar
Fatsia japonica – Japanese fatsia
Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' – hybrid crepe myrtle

Japanese Garden
Lagerstroemia fauriei – Japanese crepe myrtle
Mahonia (Yucca Do hybrids) – grapeholly
Phyllostachys nigra – black bamboo

Lath House
Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii 'Angyo Yellow' – variegated Japanese chinquapin
Cleyera japonica 'Variegata' – variegated Japanese cleyera
Mahonia japonica – grapeholly
Mahonia ×media 'Underway' – grapeholly

Mixed Border
Cercis canadensis subsp.texensis 'Traveller' – weeping Texas redbud
Daphniphyllum macropodum – false dahpne

Paradise Garden
Corylus avellana 'Contorta' – Harry Lauder's walking stick

Perennial Border
Arundo donax 'Variegata' – striped giant reed
Cortaderia selloana 'Aureolineata' – golden pampas grass
Miscanthus floridulus – giant Chinese silver grass
Yucca filamentosa 'Variegata' – variegated Adam's needle

Other Areas of the Arboretum
Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Ring' – purpleleaf Japanese barberry – E41
Betula utilis 'Kashmir White' – Himalayan white birch – E43b, S06
Ilex 'Carolina Cardinal' – hybrid winterberry holly – E35, E43b
Nandina domestica – heavenly bamboo – E08, E16
Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon' – contorted hardy orange – E19, W15
Ulmus alata 'Lace Parasol' – weeping winged elm – E40

This show is free. We invite you to visit often. – Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist

December Calendar

Friends of the Arboretum Lecture – December 6, 2003 (Friday) – 10:00 AM – Free for members, $5.00 for nonmembers

"The Maturation of a Garden" presented by Frank Cabot. Gardens never need have a down time. Frank Cabot describes himself as a horticultural enthusiast who has gardened in Cold Spring, New York, and La Malbaie, Quebec. He has served as Chairman of the Friends of Horticulture at Wave Hill as well as Treasurer of the North American Rock Garden Society and Chairman of the New York Botanical Garden. He founded in 1989, and is the Chairman of, The Garden Conservancy, an organization devoted to the preservation of exceptional private gardens in North America. His horticultural interests have been focused primarily on perennials, including alpine and woodland plants and, in recent years, on the design and the making of gardens. In 1991, the Cabots' garden in Cold Spring became Stonecrop Gardens, a public garden. His book on his Quebec garden, The Greater Perfection, was published in the autumn of 2001. Frank Cabot will be signing his book following the lecture.

Poinsettia Open House – December 7, 2003 (Sunday) – 1:00 PM-5:00 PM – Free

NCSU Floriculture will display 114 different cultivars of poinsettias including experimental cultivars and the Twister for your review! Visitors will be invited to tell us their favorite poinsettias and help us decide which poinsettias are best grown in the United States for consumers to enjoy! The Arboretum Book Store will offer all visitors a 10% discount on all book and gift items (in addition, members also receive their 10% membership discount). A tour of the Arboretum at 2:00 PM will highlight plants with winter interest.

Plantsmen's Tour – December 19, 2003 (Friday) – 1:00 PM – Free

"Barking up the Wrong Tree" Thin, smooth, rough, flaky, exfoliating, fissured, scaly, or blocky. No, this is not an advertisement for the latest "Seven Dwarfs" movie or the newest skin cream. Rather, come join Todd Lasseigne on a tour featuring plants with outstanding bark qualities. You'll never look at plants the same way after this tour!

Details for these events and all other JCRA events can be found in the "Calendar of Events" section on the JCRA Web site.

Benefit Providers Showcase

The three benefit providers we're highlighting this month are: McDonald's Nursery, Mountain View Nursery, and Night Magic Lighting Inc.

Located in Cameron and in business since the fall of 1972, McDonald's Nursery started out as a ground cover nursery. After his kids graduated from college and moved on to other occupations, Rex McDonald began to graft Japanese maples in the late 70's. He specialized in Japanese maples and other rare and unusual shrubs, finally turning exclusively to Japanese maples. You can visit Rex at 1040 Red Hill Road, Cameron, NC, 28326 or call him at (910) 245-7618. He gives our members 15% off the listed price of any Japanese maple in stock.

Mountain View Nursery is located in Clyde in beautiful Haywood County. A family owned business, there are three generations of Kings working in the nursery. They've been in operation for around 25 years. They specialize in growing and installing in the landscape native hardy shrubs and perennials. Give Jack and his family a call at (828) 627-9015 or visit them at 1456 Hospital Drive, Clyde, NC, 28721. They offer to our members a 10% discount off the retail price on plants at the nursery.

Night Magic Lighting began in 1983 as the first outdoor lighting business in the Triangle area. Hoyt Bangs and his then partner, Will Hooker, designed and installed the JCRA White Garden. Since that early beginning they have developed into a full service outdoor lighting company. They can design and install a site specific design for both commercial and residential. They're located at 3039 Churchill Road, Raleigh, NC, 27607. You can reach Hoyt at (919) 787-1875 or <hb3design@bellsouth.net>. He offers a free estimate and a 10% discount off your landscape lighting design.

Remember to have your valid membership card available when you visit these businesses and be sure to add your thanks to ours for their being a part of the JCRA benefit providers! – Donna Walker, Development Associate

JC Raulston Arboretum e-Updates are published electronically every month for everyone interested in the Arboretum. Did you find this edition informative? What information would you like to see in future editions? Send Christopher Todd Glenn your suggestions. To remove yourself from this mailing, please write Christopher Todd Glenn.

© The JC Raulston Arboretum, December 2003

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