Plant of the Month
Disporum longistylum 'Night Heron'
by Mark Weathington, Assistant Director and Curator of Collections
Disporum longistylum or fairy bells is a graceful plant in the Colchicaceae family or the Liliaceae if you prefer your taxonomy old school or even occasionally the Convallariaceae. At any rate, this woodland lily relative grows throughout a fairly large range in China mainly in forests and rocky spots. Its identity has often been confused with the very similar, D. cantoniense. An easy way to distinguish the species is to look at the stamens which will hang out past the petals on D. longistylum but be modestly hidden in D. cantoniense.
The cultivar, 'Night Heron', was found in China by plantsman and Arboretum friend Dan Hinkley. The new stems are purple and the spring leaves emerge deep burgundy before fading to green-purple unless you live in England or the Pacific Northwest. The pale flowers look especially good against the dark foliage in early summer. Plants will form clumps to 3' across over time and the stems add an excellent vertical accent among ferns, hostas, epimediums and other woodland perennials or reaching through the branches of small trees and shrubs.
We will have small plants of this selection for sale at our spring plant sale on April 13 (4:00 PM–7:00 PM) and April 14 (9:00 AM–5:00 PM). In addition to this choice perennial, we'll have a large selection of flowering shrubs, trees, and other garden worthy specimens. Look especially for a selection of collector's plants straight from the JCRA nursery where we'll have one or two of a wide variety of extra special plants. Friday, April 13 is the member's only preview sale. Members will receive a 10% discount both days. Make sure to mark your calendar for that weekend so you don't miss any of the fabulous offerings we'll have available then.
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JCRA Plant Sale
by Judy Morgan-Davis, Membership and Special Projects Coordinator
Friday, April 13, 2012 – 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
JCRA Members Only Preview Sale
Saturday, April 14, 2012 – 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Open to the Public
Ready for spring planting? We are, and we've got new releases, sparkling grasses, and shrubs to die for!
Our generous friends in the nursery industry are donating premium plants for the Arboretum's annual spring sale. This is the third such sale we have had for which all proceeds will benefit the JCRA. Come see what we have to offer and get a jump on your spring planting! JCRA members get a 10% discount!
If you are not a member, what a great time to join.
Gala in the Garden
by Anne Porter, Director of Development
Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 3:00 PM–7:00 PM
Put on your festive garden hats … it's springtime in the garden.
You are cordially invited to the
Gala in the Garden on May 6, 2012.
The Gala is the Arboretum's main fund-raising event of the year, and the proceeds directly support its daily operations of teaching, research, and public outreach and the garden displays.
Online registration is easy, fast, and secure and is open until Thursday, April 26, 2012. After this date, you may register through Wednesday, May 2, 12:00 PM, by calling (919) 513-0264. The cost to attend is $75 per person ($25 is tax-deductible).
Photography Workshops
by Christine Ramsey, JCRA Volunteer, and Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
JCRA Offers Three Photography Workshops Geared to Gardeners
A stunning flower, beautiful bird or fascinating insect—what gardener hasn't grabbed a camera to record a moment outside?
Gardening and photography are hobbies that often go hand in hand. Photographs are a great way to share our gardens, and bring the gardens we visit back home.
The JCRA and the Capital City Camera Club are offering a series of Photography workshops for gardeners who want to take their photography to the next level. If your garden and nature photos could be better, sign up for one or all three of these upcoming workshops taught by award-winning members of the Capital City Camera Club.
- Macro Photography-Level 1
Saturday, May 19, 2012
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
As any photographer will tell you, close ups are tougher than they look. This workshop is designed to take the frustration out of macro photography with hands-on instruction by Dick Cicone from the Capital City Camera Club. The class will cover the best camera settings, exposure, lighting, equipment options and techniques for capturing details, small plants, flowers and insects.
- Taking Control of Your Images
Saturday, June 23, 2012
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
From the smallest blossom to big picture garden vistas, go beyond point and shoot with your digital camera. Jim Lamb from the Capital City Camera Club will instruct students in photo terminology and technology; composition and creativity; and enhancing images after the shoot.
- Environmental Portrait Photography
Saturday, September 29, 2012
9:00 AM–3:45 PM
Learn how to use your garden and other landscapes as evocative backgrounds for shooting people and animals. Students will receive both classroom and field instruction from fine art photographer Brian P. Fullington of the Capital City Camera Club, who specializes in landscape and travel subjects.
Finally, if you love flowers and photography, don’t miss the Now Showing feature. It’s a lovely way to visit the Arboretum on those days you can’t get outside.
For more information about these workshops, please visit the JCRA's Web site or contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu. To register, please call (919) 513-7005.
Honeybee Workshop
by Christine Ramsey, JCRA Volunteer, and Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
"Introduction to Beekeeping"
Charles Heatherly, Master Beekeeper and Past President of the NC State Beekeepers Association
Saturday, April 28, 2012 – 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Grow more vegetables, fruit, and flowers while increasing neighborhood honeybee populations (which are in an alarming decline). Join Charles Heatherly, master beekeeper, past president of the NC State Beekeepers Association, and keeper of the JC Raulston Arboretum honeybees for an informative three-hour workshop:
Everything you need to know to become an urban, suburban, or country honeybee keeper:
- Honeybee biology
- Equipment
- Costs
- Pest and predators
For more information about this workshop, please visit the JCRA's Web site or contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu. To register, please call (919) 513-7005.
Bonsai Lecture and Workshop
by Harold Johnson, Triangle Bonsai Society, and Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
Sponsored by the Triangle Bonsai Society and the JC Raulston Arboretum
Saturday June 9, 2012 – 10:00 PM–4:00 PM
Bonsai combines a three dimension art form and basic horticulture. Join Harold Johnson, Triangle Bonsai Society, in this two part program as he discusses and demonstrates the art and science of bonsai. In the morning session, he'll describe the basics of bonsai design through a lecture and visual presentation. In addition, the presentation will include a discussion on selecting plant material suitable for bonsai and the basics of caring for a bonsai. During the afternoon workshop, participants will receive assistance as they design their own bonsai, prune their juniper to the design they chose, and then plant their outdoor bonsai in a ceramic bonsai pot.
Participants may register for the lecture only or the lecture and workshop. The juniper, bonsai container, wire, and soil are included in the workshop fee.
For more information about this lecture and workshop, please contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu. To register, please call (919) 513-7005 or use the downloadable registration form.
Concrete Workshops
by Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
The JC Raulston Arboretum is offering two new concrete workshops in July. Beth Jimenez and Amelia Lane, two of the JCRA's talented volunteers and owners of Lasting Impressions, are leading these workshops. Participants will learn how to create hypertufa troughs and cast concrete leaves on their own and will go home with a completed project. All supplies are included. For details, please visit the JCRA's Web site (links below). As with all workshops, space is limited and advanced registration is required.
Hypertufa Workshop
Beth Jimenez and Amelia Lane, JCRA Volunteers
Saturday, June 23, 2012 – 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Cast Concrete Leaf Workshop
Beth Jimenez and Amelia Lane, JCRA Volunteers
Saturday, July 23, 2011 – 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
For more information, please visit the JCRA's Web site or contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu. To register, please call (919) 513-7005.
Children's Programs
by Elizabeth Overcash, Children's Program Coordinator
"Spring Egg Scavenger Hunt"
Saturday, April 31, 2012–Sunday April 8, 2012
Don't forget to come search the Arboretum for eight specially painted eggs. Leave the eggs for others to find, but collect the letters on the eggs to unscramble a secret word. Tell us the word and receive a special prize! Start your hunt by picking up a clue sheet at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor's Center.
12th Annual Birdhouse Competition
Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, 2012
10:00 AM–5:00 PM and 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Enjoy all the birdhouses at the 12th Annual Birdhouse Competition and then join us on a guided children's tour of the Arboretum. We will go hunting for birds in the Arboretum and find some of their favorite plants for snacking. Tours will run on the hour and start at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor's Center. Saturday tour hours start at 11:00 AM, and the last tour leaves at 4:00 PM. On Sunday, tours start at 1:00 PM and the last tour departs at 3:00 PM.
2011 American Garden Award
by Bernadette Clark, Bedding Plant Trials Coordinator
A big thank you to all of you that participated in the 2011 American Garden Award program. Your votes have been counted and a winner declared. The Grand Prize Winner, receiving the most votes from across the nation, was Impatiens hawkeri 'Sakimp005' (SunPatiens® Variegated Spreading White). Second place was awarded to Dahlia (Dahlinova Hypnotica® Lavender). And, the third place winner was Petunia (Easy Wave® Neon Rose).
Look for these winners at your local retail center when you are selecting plants for this year's flower beds.
For those wondering what this program is about, the JC Raulston Arboretum was selected as one of 24 sites across the United States to display seven entries last summer. All sites had the same seven entries. People voted on their favorite of these entries, a popularity contest of sorts. Votes could be cast by postcard (available at the garden sites), by texting, and by online voting.
We're part of the program again this year so if you didn't cast a vote last season, you will have another opportunity this year.
Coming Attractions
by Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist
Visit Showtimes for a much more detailed listing of what's in flower in April at the Arboretum.
Recent Members Only Additions
by Chris Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator
Four new videos were recorded for the Members Only section on the Arboretum's Web site in March.
Click on the image below to play the video or visit the Members Only section to for a complete listing of all videos.
Content in the Members Only section is password protected and is only available to Arboretum members. In order to access these special features, members need to know the password that was printed on the label (use all lower case letters) of the latest Friends of the Arboretum Newsletter or included below.
user name = jcra
password = |
