While most everyone knows about, or has had a first hand experience with a persimmon, few gardeners have ventured to grow anything outside of two species, our native, Diospyros virginiana, and the Japanese persimmon, Diospyros kaki. Would you believe that there are an astounding 787 species of persimmon. In fruit this week at JLBG is
Parsimonius Persimmon Read More »
We often mention our horticultural mentor, the late Dr. J.C. Raulston, but sadly, most young, and even middle age gardeners, are not familiar with his life story, despite his influence still strongly being felt throughout the horticultural world. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death in 2026, UNC Press is reprinting Bobby Ward’s original
Chlorophyll in his Veins Read More »
We’re only a couple of weeks away from the 2025 Southeastern Plant Symposium, co-hosted by the JC Raulston Arboretum and Juniper Level Botanic Garden. Our goal each year is to bring in the top horticultural speakers from around the world, to share their knowledge about plants that are growable in the Southeastern US region. We
Southeastern Plant Symposium 2025 Read More »
Hello friends of JLBG! Alycia Thornton here—Director of Philanthropy, occasional plant punner, and your guest narrator for a very special blog takeover. I’m commandeering the JLBG blog today with some exciting news that’s as rare as an Amorphophallus titanum blooming on a Tuesday. Tony Avent—yes, our Tony Avent—has been awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal by
JLBG Blog Takeover: 🌿 Holy Hosta! Tony Avent Wins Big—Come Celebrate With Us! Read More »
Passion drives everything at NC State — the donors’ passions fuel our students’ passions, and our students’ passions inspire our donors’ passions. NC State University is hosting their annual Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Please consider donating in support of Juniper Level Botanic Garden to preserve this world-class resource for future generations. You can
Passion Inspired, Donor Fueled Read More »
Looking great in the garden in early March is Cornus officinalis ‘Spring Glow’. I remember when the late J.C. Raulston first planted this in the 1980s at the arboretum that now bears his name. It elicited so many comments, that he finally named and introduced it to commercial horticulture. As it did over forty years
Spring Glow – No Mas Read More »
I remember watching the first Planet of the Apes movie in 1968, and being struck by the depiction of Earth’s landscape after a nuclear war in which humans were wiped out. Unquestionably, humans manipulate landscapes for our own use, and have done so since we evolved into two legged creatures some 4-5 million years ago.
I have seen the Garden’s Future Read More »
Here are three of the more unusual mahonias in our collection that are looking good currently. Mahonia oiwakensis hails from Taiwan, and three adjacent mainland Chinese provinces. The foliage is narrower than Mahonia lomarifolia, and the winter hardiness seems better also. We’ve never seen a cultivated plant more than 7′ tall, but in the wild, it
We’re just over a week away from the amazing Southeastern Plant Symposium. If you aren’t signed up yet, we hope you’ll still join us for the 6th annual version of this amazing gardening event. So, who should attend? Anyone who has a true passion for both plants and in depth knowledge about them. Our symposium,
Southeastern Plant Symposium – Last Call Read More »
If you don’t grow Magnolia ‘Serendipity’ and live from Zone 7b south, I hope you’ll check this out. This amazing JC Raulston Arboretum introduction is a seedling they named from a cross made by Camellia breeder, Bobby Green of Alabama. The number of fragrant creamy-yellow flowers in late April to early May is truly unimaginable.
Serendipitous Behavior Read More »
