A flash of orange …

All that mild afternoon, my butterfly garden was a resting place for monarchs making a late migration to Mexico. Monarchs migrate as birds do, but it takes the monarch four generations, sometimes five, to complete the cycle each year: No single butterfly lives to make the full round-trip from Mexico to their northern breeding grounds and back. Entomologists don’t yet understand what makes successive generations follow the same route their ancestors took, and I can only hope that the descendants of these monarchs will find respite in my garden, too. Every year will always find me planting zinnias, just in case.

― Margaret Renkl, Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss

… a symbol of perseverance against the odds.

 

As poet Derek Wolcott says, ” So much to do still, all of it praise.” Join us for events and exhibitions in September in celebration of the monarch’s migration and its glorious, against-all-odds quest for survival. Naturalist Dan Lazar presents a free class for Adult Ed during the annual plant sale on September 29 and 30, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Education Center classroom. Stay to see a monarch release from the lawn and learn what you can grow in place to help the monarch on its journey. 

 

Scroll down to register for early autumn classes. 

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September 2023 Classes

  • ONSITE | Two Sessions: Saturdays, September 2 & 9, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Registration Closed

    The Southern Appalachians offer an exceptional diversity of fascinating and ecologically-important mushrooms. Naturalist Luke Cannon leads participants through practice identifying the 12 most common fungal families and their preferred habitats and ecological connections. Two full day sessions onsite in the Arboretum forest allow for lots of fun learning in place.

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  • ONSITE | Tuesday, September 5, 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Registration Closed

    Beginning and experienced birders alike enjoy this quiet walk with an expert guide to learn about our avian neighbors active in the Arboretum Forest year round as well as species passing through on migratory routes. Scheduled during a monthly quiet time in our gardens and on our grounds, participants can turn their full focus to the treetops and tune their ears to beautiful birdsong. Seasoned naturalists and ornithologists frequently reference their “spark bird,” the bird that sparked an avid interest to learn more and that now leads to their commitment to protect species increasingly imperiled by climate change and other threats to their habits and habitats. Let our guide arrange an introduction to your spark bird and open your eyes to the wonder of birding. Binoculars are available for loan, and the guide will touch on the range of equipment and apps available. Look for the guide’s follow-up list of birds seen and heard on your walk. All proceeds from our classes go to support conservation education at The North Carolina Arboretum.

    LEARN MORE

  • Treasures of the Summer Night SkyONSITE | Tuesday, September 5, 2 – 3:30 p.m. | Registration Closed

    Join us for an exploration of the treasures of the night sky as we discover the constellations, bright stars, planets, and deep sky objects that are most apparent in summertime in Southern Appalachia, including the Summer Triangle and the red supergiants Arcturus and Antares! During this live streamed class, astronomer and physicist Stephan Martin takes us through the basic use of planispheres and star charts to find our way around the night sky and learn about some of the rich collections of objects that are visible to the naked eye or with binoculars and small telescopes. Join us in person at the Arboretum or from home in this live streamed, interactive class.

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  • ONSITE | Thursday, September 7, 1 – 4 p.m. | Registration Closed

    Spiders are among the most misunderstood and feared creatures of our mountains, but they are absolutely essential in the ecology of our forests. You’ll learn to identify many of the region’s most common spiders, while learning about their amazing life cycles and gaining an appreciation of these amazing invertebrates. Trigger Warning: Out of consideration for arachnophobes, Naturalist Carlton Burke is sure to be accompanied by a few of his teaching spiders for this onsite class.

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  • ONSITE | Saturday, September 9, 2 – 4:30 p.m. | Registration Closed

    Be present in the moment and deepen your connection in nature and in community with this immersive experience set in the Arboretum forest. Certified forest therapy guide Kelly Bruce will extend a series of invitations, instructing participants in mindful practices that encourage deepening levels of awareness of inner and surrounding landscapes. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, a forest bathing walk can invite healing on many levels, starting within and moving outward in the renewed intention to protect where we are in place and on the planet. It is nature as therapy! Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

    LEARN MORE

  • Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' is a ground covering perennial with fine foliage texture and small bright abundant yellow flowers.FIELD | Tuesday, September 12, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | | Registration Closed

    Discover the continuous bounty of wildflowers emerging in a Southern Appalachian summer. Naturalists Marilyn Kolton and Louis Dwarshuis lead a slow and steady series of wildflower walks in the field, helping us understand what plants teach about growing in place and living in community. Learn the basics of wildflower ecology and identification along the trail, keeping an eye out for September’s Early goldenrod, yarrow, coreopsis, White wood aster, Angelica and more!

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  • ONSITE | Wednesday, September 13, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | | Registration Closed

    Given soil’s vital importance, it is amazing that most gardeners don’t venture beyond the understanding that good soil supports plant life and poor soil doesn’t. This class will focus on all the forms of life found in healthy soil, the soil-food web and how we can use this information to improve our gardening techniques. Join us for this follow-up to the online course. Bring or buy your lunch and join instructor Phil Roudebush for a lively discussion on Living Soil.

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  • ONSITE | Four Sessions: Thursdays, September 14 – October 5, 1 – 4 p.m. | +

    Discover why the Southern Appalachians are home to more tree species than all of Europe. Learn how ants and whitetail deer determine where trilliums grow. Naturalist Dan Lazar leads this engaging in-person lecture and discussion-based class onsite at the Arboretum. Each session takes the class outside to gain an applied understanding in place of the amazing natural ecosystems of Western North Carolina, from riverside amphibian breeding ponds to mountaintop Spruce-Fir forests. Participants also have access to the asynchronous section for review or in case of absence. Includes rich course materials. Participants can register separately for a Field to Forest Succession Walk at the Arboretum and a field experience at the conclusion of the class.

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  • ONSITE | Thursday, September 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m. | Registration Closed

    A Wing and a Prayer is the story of a band of scientists, birders, hunters and ranchers working to save birds set against the loss of a third of North America’s bird populations in the past 50 years. Avid birders by avocation and veteran journalists by vocation, Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal traveled over 25,000 miles in a refashioned Airstream, finding inspiring and encouraging rescue missions all across the hemisphere, but they also discovered how much more can and must be done to halt the dramatic declines. In this impassioned talk, they walk us through the steps any one of us can take to contribute to saving our imperiled bird populations.

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  • BLENDED | Six Asynchronous Sessions Opening Friday, September 15 (Through Friday, December 15) & Two ONLINE Discussion Sessions: Wednesdays, October 4 & 25, 6 – 7 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Discover why the Southern Appalachians are home to more tree species than all of Europe. Learn how ants and whitetail deer determine where trilliums grow. Naturalist Dan Lazar leads this engaging in-person lecture and discussion-based class onsite at the Arboretum. Each session takes the class outside to gain an applied understanding in place of the amazing natural ecosystems of Western North Carolina, from riverside amphibian breeding ponds to mountaintop Spruce-Fir forests. Participants also have access to the asynchronous section for review or in case of absence. Includes rich course materials. Participants can register separately for a Field to Forest Succession Walk at the Arboretum and a field experience at the conclusion of the class.

    LEARN MORE

     

     

  • ONSITE | Tuesday, September 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Registration is closed.  

    Learn how to bridge the gap between traditional landscape practices and self-sustaining systems taught in Permaculture. Landscape Architect and Permaculture Design Certificate Holder Jennifer Verprauskus covers basic design principles together with permaculture design concepts. Maximizing natural, beneficial relationships in the ecosystem while minimizing waste and energy use makes for an ideal landscape that nurtures itself and fits seamlessly into the natural environment.

    Following on the Introduction to Permaculture class, the focus in Permaculture Plants of Interest is on choosing the best plants for a site, with an emphasis on incorporating edible and native plants into the landscape planting design. Students will be introduced to a myriad of permaculture plants and learn the attractive and beneficial qualities they offer, including historical uses and wildlife benefits to structure and color all considerations in creating a successful and sustainable landscape.

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  • Tai ChiONSITE | Eight Sessions: Tuesdays, September 19 – November 7, 2 – 3 p.m. | Pre-registration is closed. Please contact adulteducation@ncarboretum.org for information on joining. 

    This elegant short form introduces the signature movements of Tai Chi Chuan in a simplified and compact sequence. A wonderful practice for beginners, participants will learn the basic principles of each movement as well as modifications to accommodate individual needs. Tai chi is a safe and effective form of meditative exercise consisting of relaxed and focused movements that clear the mind and relax the nervous system while improving balance, strength, flexibility, stability, coordination, joint health, memory and attentional skills. Video practices will be provided to assist participants in practicing on their own time between sessions or in the case of a missed session.

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  • ONSITE | Two Sessions: Friday, September 22, 5 – 8:30 p.m. & Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Although it has its roots in ancient Asian traditions, the living art of bonsai now enjoys enthusiasts throughout much of the world. This class will provide the basic concepts and skills for novices to begin growing and shaping their own miniature trees. The first class will cover the fundamental horticultural and aesthetic principles of bonsai. It will include such topics as tree selection, watering, pest control, pruning, wiring, and styling. In the second class, each participant will receive a pot, scissors, wire, and planting medium. With guidance from the instructor, the students will create their own bonsai to take home. Materials included in registration.

    Demand for this small-group workshop is such that pre-registration is taken through the Wait List linked below. Applicants are notified of openings and sent a private registration link. Look for an October date to be announced in the Curator’s Journal, along with weekly entries on the Arboretum’s bonsai collection and exhibition garden.

    Sign our Wait list

     

  • ONSITE & FIELD | Saturday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Pre-registration is closed. Please contact adulteducation@ncarboretum.org for information on joining. 

    A History of Black Mountain College will offer an introduction to one of the greatest experiments in U.S. education. Founded in 1933 Black Mountain College started at the Blue Ridge Assembly before moving to its permanent home at Lake Eden in 1941. This liberal arts college put the arts at the center of education. Notable faculty included Josef Albers, Anni Albers, Buckminster Fuller, Jacob Lawrence, Willem de Kooning, John Cage, and Merce Cunningham. Students who attended Black Mountain College include Ruth Asawa, Robert Rauschenberg, Ray Johnson, Hazel Larsen Archer, Kenneth Noland, and Jonathan Williams. We will watch and discuss the documentary Fully Awake. This will be accompanied by a Walking Tour of the Lake Eden Campus and the opportunity to view the current exhibition “Weaving at Black Mountain College: Anni Albers, Trude Guermonprez, and Their Students” on view this fall at the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. Learn more about the fascinating history of this creative incubator of innovation.

    Photo by Harriet Sohmers Zwerling, The Studies Building at Black Mountain College, 1949. Collection of Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. Gift of Harriet Sohmers Zwerling.

    LEARN MORE

     

     

  • ONSITE | Saturday, September 23, 2 – 4:30 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Be present in the moment and deepen your connection in nature and in community with this immersive experience set in the Arboretum forest. Certified forest therapy guide Christa Hebal will extend a series of invitations, instructing participants in mindful practices that encourage deepening levels of awareness of inner and surrounding landscapes. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, a forest bathing walk can invite healing on many levels, starting within and moving outward in the renewed intention to protect where we are in place and on the planet. It is nature as therapy! Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

    LEARN MORE

  • YogaONSITE | Sunday, September 24, 9 – 10:15 a.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Connect with nature in place at the Arboretum. Join Instructor Jenne Sluder for a morning of relaxation and quiet meditation in our garden setting. The session begins with gentle breath-based movement and tension-release practice. These gentle yoga and qigong movements are easy and calming, and they can be done standing or seated in a chair (your preference). A silent walking meditation through the garden allows us to be fully present to the wonders of nature. The session closes with a relaxing sound bath that can be enjoyed either seated or lying-down (your preference).

    LEARN MORE

  • ONSITE | Tuesday, September 26, 1 – 4 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Gardening for the birds is more than just feeding the birds. Martha Rollefson teaches a delightfully engaging overview for gardeners of all levels just beginning and avid alike who want to blend the joy of bird and wildlife watching with the satisfaction of creating a beautiful and healthy habitat that supports the food, water and shelter needs of birds and other essential pollinators! Martha will include gardening tips along with landscape design concepts, plant lists, and recommendations for practical reference materials.

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  • ONSITE | Thursday, September 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    It is easy to fall for the poetry and charm of common plant names. Who can resist the romance of plants with names like “Loves-lie bleeding,” “forget-me-not” or “morning-noon-and-night”? However, when understood and used appropriately, botanical Latin can help in understanding the origin of a plant or important characteristics such as its form, color, shape or size. Based on the book Latin for Gardeners, this class will explore the reasons to use Latin for plant names and how to use botanical Latin to improve gardening efforts. Who says Latin is a dead language? Instructor Phil Roudebush enlivens this core class and gives students an essential tool for better understanding botanical nomenclature and taxonomy.

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  • ONSITE | Friday, September 29, 1 – 4 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Though the art and practice of Oshibana dates from 16th century Japan, you can learn a contemporary approach from artist Susan McChesney to craft distinctive floral collages designed to hold their vibrant colors for years to come. Participants learn technique of pressing, unpressing, storing, collaging and sealing plant material, with a focus on flowers from our area’s beautiful flower farms as well as gaining an understanding of perspective, value and composition. With your first floral creation, you might well decide to deepen your own art and practice of preserving and creating floral art!

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October 2023 Classes

  • ONLINE | Four Sessions: Tuesdays, October 3, 10, 17 & 24; 11 am – 12:30 pm | Pre-registration Required

    The Arboretum hosts a unique learning opportunity with a dynamic team of scientists from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies (NCICS) leading a four-part series on Climate Change Science starting in early October. Learn from the scientists who collect and maintain weather observations, records and data sets used by partners, scientists and decision makers across public and private sectors the world over. Science-backed presentations along with discussion will place our local weather and climate within a global perspective, examining what drives Earth’s warming temperatures and the increasing extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and fires, while considering what the data show on trends and the effects on seasons and biodiversity. The course covers four main areas: 1) basic climate and climate change, including what drives the seasons, climate, and what is known about climate past and present; 2) climate change and variability, including how scientists know the climate is changing through tracking global and national climate trends; 3) climate and weather, including how climate is, and is not shaping extreme events as well as Western North Carolina weather and projections; and 4) adaptation, including strategies used to prepare for a changing climate.

    Register separately for small group Lunch & Learn Discussions with the team onsite at the Arboretum. Look for announcements on reading/discussion circles meeting online or in person through the fall and a culminating Town Hall discussion at the Arboretum.

    LEARN MORE

     

     

  • ONSITE | Tuesday, October 3, 9 – 10:30 am | Pre-registration Required

    Beginning and experienced birders alike enjoy this quiet walk with expert guide, Kevin Burke, to learn about our avian neighbors active in the Arboretum Forest year round as well as species passing through on migratory routes. Scheduled during a monthly quiet time in our gardens and on our grounds, participants can turn their full focus to the treetops and tune their ears to beautiful birdsong. Seasoned naturalists and ornithologists frequently reference their “spark bird,” the bird that sparked an avid interest to learn more and that now leads to their commitment to protect species increasingly imperiled by climate change and other threats to their habits and habitats. Let Kevin arrange an introduction to your spark bird and open your eyes to the wonder of birding. Binoculars are available for loan, and the guide will touch on the range of equipment and apps available. Look for his follow-up list of birds seen and heard on your walk. All proceeds from this small group class goes to support conservation education at The North Carolina Arboretum.

    LEARN MORE

     

  • ONSITE | Sunday, October 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Enjoy a quiet, mindful stroll through the forest with Wellness Instructor Jenne Sluder. A silent hike takes us to scenic treasures on the Arboretum trails where we will pause to do a restorative qigong practice. Qigong is a series of simple movements that supports the body’s natural healing processes, promotes healthy circulation, invites inner calm, and releases tension from the body. Hikes will be mindfully-paced and qigong practices easy and accessible. Participants should feel comfortable covering about 2.5 miles of trail-walking, including some gradual inclines.

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  • Section A: ONSITE | Wednesday October 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. OR Section B: ONSITE | Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Many of us intuitively recognize common plants like oak trees, ferns, and grasses. But could you distinguish a white oak from a chestnut oak? Or tell a grass from a sedge from a rush? Reading the landscape and identifying plants, like art, begins with observation! In this day-long workshop students will hone their field sketching skills and plant knowledge through the creation of observational artworks of native plants and landscapes. Students will spend the morning in the Arboretum’s Native Azalea Collection. This unique and dynamic landscape features winding pathways through diverse natural plant communities including rhododendron thickets, wetlands, and hardwood forest. With a combination of instruction, demonstration, and observational drawing, students will study the structure of these native plant communities. In the afternoon, students will walk to one of the Arboretum’s outdoor classrooms where they will have the opportunity to study plant samples up close and attune themselves to the small and subtle features used in plant classification. While all levels are welcome, this class is intended more for students with some prior drawing experience; however no prior experience in plant studies is necessary to participate just curiosity!

    Arboretum Azalea Collection Curator Carson Ellis will lead a walking tour of the landscape to introduce students to the plant communities and species growing in the Native Azalea Collection’s landscape. We will cover basic tools and skills for plant identification, including the use of dichotomous keys. Scientific illustrator Erin Ellis will lead students in observational drawing, demonstrating field sketching techniques for pencil and watercolor. Students will have time to create two completed field studies with an objective to represent the identifying features of native plants in Western North Carolina’s landscape.

    Register for Section A: October 11

    Register for Section B: October 14

     

  • ON DEMAND | Asynchronous ON-Demand Class: Opening October 16 and available through December 31 | Free: Pre-registration Required. 

    BotanyMany gardeners neglect thinking about fall after the blooms of summer fade. But some plants will offer superb fall foliage or reveal colorful stems or sculptural forms after the leaves are gone, even after a few frosts. Join Senior Director of Mission Delivery Clara Curtis for this online class that focuses on plants that are at their best in the autumn season, with a special nod to annual plants that are prevalent during the fall months. Follow it up with a separate Garden Walk-Through with Clara, where she points out special features in the Fall Seasonal Landscape Exhibit and the current Baker Center exhibition, Monarchs & Milkweed.

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  • ONLINE | Wednesday, October 18, 1 – 3 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Many trees in Western North Carolina combine to create a spectacular foliage color show during the autumn months. Naturalist Carlton Burke brings his extensive knowledge of our native trees and woody shrubs to this online class that covers the biology of what causes seasonal color change and the basics of identifying trees by their leaves, bark, fruit and other characteristics. Field experiences (register separately) help you apply the knowledge and enjoy the Arboretum forest in autumn.

    LEARN MORE

  • Section A: ONSITE Friday, October 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. OR Section B: ONSITE | Saturday, October 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Many trees in Western North Carolina combine to create the spectacular foliage color show during the autumn months. Naturalist Carlton Burke leads this field experience set in the Arboretum forest covers the biology of what causes seasonal color change and the basics of identifying trees by their leaves, bark, fruit and other characteristics. Please note: This field experience is designed to supplement the separate online Fall Color & Native Tree ID online class. 

    Register for Section A: October 20

    Register for Section B: October 21

  • ONSITE | Two Sessions: Friday, October 20, 5 – 8:30 p.m. & Saturday, October 21, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Although it has its roots in ancient Asian traditions, the living art of bonsai now enjoys enthusiasts throughout much of the world. This class will provide the basic concepts and skills for novices to begin growing and shaping their own miniature trees. The first class will cover the fundamental horticultural and aesthetic principles of bonsai. It will include such topics as tree selection, watering, pest control, pruning, wiring, and styling. In the second class, each participant will receive a pot, scissors, wire, and planting medium. With guidance from the instructor, the students will create their own bonsai to take home. Materials included in registration.

    Demand for this small-group workshop is such that pre-registration is taken through the Wait List linked below. Applicants are notified of openings and sent a private registration link. Look for an October date to be announced in the Curator’s Journal, along with weekly entries on the Arboretum’s bonsai collection and exhibition garden.

    Sign our Wait list

     

  • ONSITE | Saturday, October 21, 2 – 3:30 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Be present in the moment and deepen your connection in nature and in community with this immersive experience set in the Arboretum forest. Certified forest therapy guide Christa Hebal will extend a series of invitations, instructing participants in mindful practices that encourage deepening levels of awareness of inner and surrounding landscapes. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, a forest bathing walk can invite healing on many levels, starting within and moving outward in the renewed intention to protect where we are in place and on the planet. It is nature as therapy! Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

    LEARN MORE

  • YogaONSITE | Sunday, October 22, 9 – 10:15 a.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Connect with nature in place at the Arboretum. Join Instructor Jenne Sluder for a morning of relaxation and quiet meditation in our garden setting. The session begins with gentle breath-based movement and tension-release practice. These gentle yoga and qigong movements are easy and calming, and they can be done standing or seated in a chair (your preference). A silent walking meditation through the garden allows us to be fully present to the wonders of nature. The session closes with a relaxing sound bath that can be enjoyed either seated or lying-down (your preference).

    LEARN MORE

  • ONSITE | Tuesday, October 24, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Autumn is a time of great seasonal change. This slow and steady hike offers participants a chance to walk with two experienced naturalists to observe the signs of the season. Marilyn Kolton and Lou Dwarshuis guide you to a better understanding of the season’s native flora and seed dispersal, fall color, bird migration, and wildlife seen and heard along the trail. Understand how nature prepares for the deep time of winter. Dress appropriately for hiking and the weather. Be sure to bring a walking stick if you like. Participants will be notified the week before about meeting location.

    LEARN MORE

  • ONSITE | Tuesday, October 24, 5 – 6:30 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Established in October 2005, the Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a signature feature of the Arboretum and a unique environment displaying up to 50 specimens at a time. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge, including American hornbeam, red maple and eastern white pine, which bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Join Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura on this entertaining and informative after-hours tour of the garden showing its fall colors, a fitting showcase for the specimens and the miniature landscapes. As Joura says, “The two things are one: The garden is designed to elevate the experience of bonsai, and the bonsai never look better than when they’re on display in the garden.”

    Demand for this small-group tour is such that pre-registration is taken through the Wait List linked below. Applicants are notified of openings and sent a private registration link. Look at the Curator’s Journal for weekly entries on the Arboretum’s bonsai collection and exhibition garden.

    LEARN MORE

  • ONSITE | Wednesday, October 25, 1 – 2 p.m. | Pre-registration Required

    Join Clara Curtis, the Arboretum’s senior director for mission delivery, in this walk through the autumn seasonal landscape. With decades of design and horticulture oversight at the Arboretum, Clara is our walking institutional memory for how plants came to be chosen for the gardens and what transformation the landscape has seen over 36 years of growing in place. You can have no better informed guide and no one who makes plants more interesting! This class is designed to provide a small-group experience to complement our online Plants of Interest course, which is a Blue Ridge Eco Gardener requirement.

    LEARN MORE

Asynchronous | On Demand Classes

  • ONLINE Year Two Registration Underway!  Learn from Arboretum Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura

    The Curator’s Journal moves into its second year of offering weekly entries by Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura for the ultimate insider’s view of bonsai at The North Carolina Arboretum! Regular entries chronicle growing an art and growing an enterprise. Subscribers will have exclusive access to all-new original content generated by Joura and will be notified each week when a new entry is posted.

    Preview free entries on the Curator’s Journal site and join us for this learning journey. With Joura as a knowledgeable guide, Journal subscribers forgo the map and travel in time to meet remarkable trees, each with stories and life lessons worth sharing.

    LEARN MORE

  • ON DEMAND

    Arboretum Production Greenhouse Manager June Smathers-Jolley leads this engaging and packed-full-of-useful-information class on how to be a good plant parent to your houseplants. June shares on-trend resources from the horticulture industry, popular magazines, and social media that will make you want to adopt a few new family members of the botanical variety. Topics to be covered include selecting the best plants for different locations and conditions in your home, proper watering techniques, repotting, fertilizing, and pest identification/management.

    LEARN MORE

  • ON DEMAND

    Want to rejuvenate an older houseplant or share your plant with a friend? Arboretum Production Greenhouse Manager June Smathers-Jolley covers the basics of propagating houseplants through seeds, cuttings, division and air layering in this informative video, produced in-house by the Education Department’s creative team and available to watch “on demand” at your own convenience. Whether you have a colorful coleus, an aging aglaonema, a peppy peperomia, or a savvy succulent, you will pick up some proven techniques for expanding your houseplant collection.

    LEARN MORE

     

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For more information, contact Adult & Continuing Education Programs at AdultEducation@ncarboretum.org