We were recently bushhogging an overflow nursery parking area, which is a fallow field, that includes quite a few tree seedlings, primarily Liquidambar styraciflua. During the six-hour mowing exercise, I discovered three different variegated clones of our native sweet gum, each growing about 100 feet apart. Recent research has documented that mowing off woody plants
Our New Gums Make us Smile Read More »
Many folks who visit JLBG have asked about former staffer, Jeremy Schmidt, who departed almost three years ago for a stint at Alabama’s Bellingrath Gardens. In the 15 years Jeremy was here, he installed our 300′ long crevice garden, our 550′ rock lined stream, several other garden streams, our dryland welcome berm, and countless other
The Rock Man Returneth Read More »
Only a couple of weeks remain, before we kick off the 2026 Southeastern Plant Symposium in Raleigh, NC. For our 8th year, we celebrate two milestone birthdays, the 50th anniversary of the JC Raulston Arboretum, along with the 40th anniversary of Juniper Level Botanic Garden. Both Mark Weathington and I will be giving presentations on
Southeastern Plant Symposium 2026…Coming Soon Read More »
2026 marks 40 years, since we began the now, world-renown gardens at JLBG. Whether you’re a regular open house visitor, or someone who hasn’t stopped by in a while, we hope you’ll join us to celebrate our Ruby Anniversary. We have two weekends remaining for our spring public open days, so we look forward to
Come Celebrate our 40th! Read More »
The Turkish Allium schubertii was just begging for a photograph this week – the dew droplets clung to the flowers as the sun peaked over the horizon. This is one of the great non-weedy, ornamental onions that I simply wouldn’t be without.
Schubert’s Dew Drop In Symphony Read More »
Since watching the bizarre Monty Python skit, “The Larch” as part of their series, “How to Recognize Different Types of Trees from Quite a Long Way Away” was first aired in 1969, I became obsessed about growing this deciduous conifer, which is confined to the world’s cold summer regions. Since 1969, I’ve killed an array
And Now, For Something Completely Different…The Larch Read More »
Today, Wednesday, March 25, is the NC State University Day of Giving (DOG). A decade ago, the University accepted our gift of JLBG and Plant Delights Nursery, for long term preservation. The easy part was to preserve the 28 acres on which JLBG sits. The more difficult task was to raise funds for a long
It’s Time for D.O.G. Support Read More »
So many folks think running a nursery is such a pastoral, relaxing career, but as with most things in life, the realities are quite different….especially during the winter months. We have 30 greenhouse cold frames, which are kept at two different temperature regimens, 35F, and 55F, depending on the needs of the plants growing in
Interrupting Those Long Winter Nights Read More »
Most of the 1,500 plants we’ve introduced in the last 40 years remain in the gardens here at JLBG, but a few special ones we’ve lost due either to neglect, or not siting them in the proper location. Prior to building our crevice garden, we sadly lost several plants that we now know would probably
Been There, Killed That…Would like it Back Read More »
We’ve long been a fan of the Japanese cedar cultivar, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Gyokuryu’. This excellent plant was first brought to the US from Japan in 1967, by famed rock gardener, Joel Spingarn, who was also a founding member of the American Conifer Society. For us, this mid-sized confiner tops out at 18′ tall x 10′
Here’s Lookin’ at Gyokuryu Read More »
