• "Kaleidoscope" ~ Contemporary Landscape Sculpture Exhibit. Ten 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 natural setting. A selection of 13 sculptures is featured as an enhancement to the Arboretum's gardens. Now through October 31, 2008
  8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
  Arboretum grounds
• "Our Precious Land: Visions and Scenes of North Carolina" ~ Oil Painting Exhibit.
  Internationally known artist Luke Allsbrook paints landscapes that reflect the beauty of Western North Carolina farmland and scenes from around the state. The exhibit brings awareness to the value of land resources, loss of farmland, and conservation in our region.
  May 23 through September 21, 2008
  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
  Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
  Baker Exhibit Center
• "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.
  Now 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 Caf�. 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 appeals 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 (x317) to schedule a tour.
• 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 early summer highlights.
  10:30 a.m.
  Baker Exhibit Center
• Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
  Forest Trails Walk. This guided tour of the Arboretum's trails explores the natural environment. Topics may 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
• Thursdays and Saturdays
  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
• Tuesday, July 1
  Gardening for Monarch Butterflies. Brevard naturalist Ina Warren will present an illustrated talk about the Monarch Butterfly life cycle, their fall migration to Mexico, and spring return to the U.S., and how to grow native milkweeds that supply the sole food source during their caterpillar stage. Free samples of native milkweed seeds will be available to take home for starting a "monarch waystation."
  10 a.m. to Noon
  Education Center
• Tuesday, July 8
  Gardening in the Mountains: Xeriscaping. This informative program is offered in cooperation with Buncombe County Cooperative Extension and regional Master Gardeners.
  10 a.m.
  Education Center
• Wednesday, July 9
  Collections Walk: Raingardens. 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
• Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13
  Second Annual Bamboo Festival. This annual event of the Southeast Chapter, American Bamboo Society will feature bamboo arts and crafts, bamboo musicians and instruments, bamboo plants for sale, demonstrations, and educational presentations.
  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday
  10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday
  Education Center
• Tuesday, July 15
  Twilight Tuesday. Join us for an evening with The Gamelon Orchestra from Western Carolina University in the lobby of the Baker Exhibit Center. Enjoy the splendors of the early summer landscape during a self-guided twilight stroll through the Arboretum's gardens and talk with a volunteer in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden. Light refreshments will be available.
  5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  Baker Exhibit Center
• Wednesday, July 23
  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
• Thursday, July 24
  The Changing Mountain Environment: Medicinal Plants and Biotechnology. This day of seminars presents 4 speakers who will discuss the unique medicinal plant biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians and the role of the Bent Creek Institute in their pioneering work of documenting medicinal properties of our mountain native plants treasury.
  9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Education Center

The North Carolina Arboretum is located in Asheville, NC, next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance ramp at Milepost 393, 2 miles south of Exit 2 (Highway 191/Brevard Road) off I-26. Arboretum grounds are open 7 days a week, except Christmas Day. Property hours are 8 AM to 7 PM, November-March and 8 AM to 9 PM, April-October. The Visitor Education Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and on Sundays from Noon to 5 PM. 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 call 828-665-2492 or visit their website at www.ncarboretum.org.

(Images provided by the NC Arboretum)

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