asheville, Spring Has Arrived at NC Arboretum; May is Full of Gardening Events

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Spring Has Arrived at NC Arboretum; May is Full of Gardening Events

May is one of the most beautiful months in the North Carolina mountains, and that fact is not lost on the staff at the North Carolina Arboretum. The Arboretum is in full swing now, with a huge number of opportunities for gardening information, guided walks and hikes, art exhibits, and tours around the grounds and amid some of its highly-prized collections of plants (notably, the Arboretum’s incredible bonsai collection). Listed below are some of the daily and specially scheduled events that will be held during the month of May.

"Kaleidoscope" ~ Contemporary Landscape Sculpture Exhibit
Eleven regional artists exhibit their work in the Arboretum's third major juried sculpture show. "Kaleidoscope" embraces the opportunity to see objects of beautiful form, pattern and change in a beautiful natural setting. A selection of 13 sculptures are featured as an enhancement to the Arboretum's garden exhibits.
Now through October 31, 2008
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
Arboretum grounds
"Dr. Entomo's Palace of Exotic Wonders" ~ Insect Exhibit
Learn about bizarre live insects from around the world. Reminiscent of a circus sideshow, the exhibit features more than two-dozen living and mounted insects ranging from glow-in-the-dark scorpions to bird-eating tarantulas. Visitors will witness the wonder of metamorphosis as butterflies emerge from their chrysalides in "Winged Transformers," a corresponding butterfly house exhibit. Gigantic bug sculptures designed by Jeff Gundlach will also be creeping along the Arboretum grounds.
Now through May 11, 2008
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Baker Exhibit Center
Exhibit Greenhouse ~ Butterfly House
During all four seasons, the exhibit greenhouse hosts changing living displays linked to subjects and themes featured inside the Baker Exhibit Center. Through May 11, a butterfly house exhibit called "Winged Transformers" is featured in conjunction with "Dr. Entomo's Palace of Exotic Wonders."
Now through May 11, 2008
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
"Silent Beauty: A View of the Changing Seasons" ~ Photography Exhibit
Fine art photographer Cynthia Walker hosts an exhibition of her favorite images of insects and flowers, inspired by the mountain region. The exhibit conveys hidden simplicity within the complexity of nature's patterns and light.
April 23 through October 14, 2008
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Education Center
Asheville Amblers 10k Self-Guided Hike. Stop by the Arboretum's information desks for a map and instructions on taking a 6.2-mile tour of the Arboretum's gardens and woodland areas.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center
Savory Thyme Café. Enjoy fresh sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts and beverages during your visit to the NC Arboretum. Atrium seating provides panoramic views of the Bent Creek watershed.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Education Center
The Garden Trellis Gift Shop, Education Center
Connections Gallery, Baker Exhibit Center
If you're looking for a creative gift, don't miss the Garden Trellis Gift Shop in the NC Arboretum's Education Center. Also visit our newly opened Connections Gallery in the Baker Exhibit Center. Our selection of merchandise relating to gardening and nature will appeal to both practical and whimsical shoppers. Items include paintings and handcrafts from local artists, bonsai tools, gardening and natural history books, garden tools, garden ornaments, stationery, household decorative items, jewelry, and special gifts for children.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Nature Activities for Kids. Families can stop by the Baker Exhibit Center and check out a Discovery Day Pack. Packs include binoculars, magnifying glasses and other items children can use to explore the Arboretum's trails and gardens. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Baker Exhibit Center
Segway(tm) Tours
"A Glide Through Nature" Segway(tm) tour lasts three hours and includes an instruction session followed by a tour of the Arboretum. Enjoy an environmentally friendly, smooth ride along Arboretum trails. $45 weekdays; $55 weekends. Call the Arboretum at 828-665-2492 to schedule a tour.

Mondays and Tuesdays through May 13
Wee Naturalist Classes. Preschoolers learn about trees, birds, bears, bugs, raindrops and much more. Each class might include a physical activity, critter visits, puppets, songs, art time, stories, and short nature walks.
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Mondays and Tuesdays through May 13
Children ages 2-5 only
$5 per child, per class (no registrations taken; walk-ins only)
Education Center
Mondays through Fridays
Production Greenhouse Facility Self-Guided Tours. Visit the working complex that produces plants for seasonal landscape exhibits.
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Tuesdays through Fridays
Guided Garden Tours. Join this informative, guided tour of the Arboretum's garden areas featuring spring highlights.
10:30 a.m.
Baker Exhibit Center
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Forest Trails Walk. This guided tour takes visitors through different types of forest environments in an exploration of natural history. Topics include plants, trees, flowers, birds, insects and local history. Bring water, wear walking shoes, dress in layers and bring rain protection.
1 p.m.
Baker Exhibit Center
Tuesday, May 6
Gardening in the Mountains: Culinary Herbs. This informative program is offered in cooperation with Buncombe County Cooperative Extension and regional Master Gardeners.
10 a.m.
Education Center
Saturday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 13
Dahlia Tuber Sale and Chrysanthemum Plant Sale. Two plant societies combine to offer show-quality dahlia tubers and chrysanthemum rooted cuttings just in time for spring planting, while supplies last.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday in the Education Center
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday in the Baker Exhibit Center
Wednesday, May 14
Collections Walk: Wild Spring Perennials. This monthly walk focuses on various seasonal features of the Arboretum's cultivated and wild plant collections. Wear sturdy footwear for walking on trails.
1 p.m.
Baker Exhibit Center
Thursdays and Saturdays beginning May 15
Bonsai Volunteers in the Garden. Volunteers stationed in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden will answer questions about both the collection and the garden.
10 a.m. to Noon
Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Saturday, May 17
Blue Ridge Hydrangea Society Annual Plant Sale: Hydrangea Fever. This annual extravaganza features hundreds of gorgeous hydrangeas of many varieties and species for purchase, suitable for every garden. Sale will include unusual and highly prized specimens.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Education Center
Monday, May 19 through Friday, May 23
Green Sprouts ~ Summer Camp. Kids will start their very first gardens and learn about the special care a garden requires as well as which plants thrive in the North Carolina mountains. Participants will play games that demonstrate our relationship to plants, go on short hikes, hear fun stories, and more.
Ages 2-4 (two children can attend with each parent or guardian)
Registration required (call 828-665-2492); $45 members, $55 general public
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day
Education Center
Tuesday, May 20
Twilight Tuesday. Join us for the first Twilight Tuesday in 2008 and experience an evening of Klezmer and Swing music by Lew Gelfond and Hank Bones in the lobby of the Baker Exhibit Center. Enjoy the splendors of the spring landscape during a self-guided twilight stroll through the Arboretum's gardens and talk with a docent in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden. Light refreshments will be available.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Baker Exhibit Center
Wednesday, May 28
In-Depth Walk: What's New in the Garden. An Arboretum staff horticulturist leads a walk focusing on new features in the gardens.
10:30 a.m.
Baker Exhibit Center

The mission of The North Carolina Arboretum is to cultivate connections between people and plants.

The North Carolina Arboretum is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance ramp at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 (previously Exit 2) and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Arboretum grounds are open 7 days a week. Property hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., April-October and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., November-March. The Visitor Education Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m. Parking Fees: $6 per personal motor vehicle, $25 commercial vans and $45 tour buses. No parking fee applies for NC Arboretum Society members. All day Tuesday, parking is free for all visitors. For more information, please call 828-665-2492 or visit their web site at www.ncarboretum.org.

(Images provided by the NC Arboretum.)