Before we visited Plant Delights, we stopped by the JC Arboretum. This incredible 10-acre display garden features one of the most diverse collections of plants in the southeast. It was built and maintained by North Carolina State University students, faculty, volunteers and staff. The Arboretum is named in
honor of its late director and founder, J. C. Raulston, Ph.D., who founded it in
1976.
The gardens were busy (it was Mother's Day) and there were way too many children running around. Despite that, it was a great start to our vacation. The gardens are composed of various rooms and areas including a large perennial border, rose garden, butterfly garden, xeric garden, Japanese garden, rooftop garden and that is just a sampling.
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| This was just a small section of the Perennial Border. |
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| Digitalis (Foxglove) with Asiatic lilies in the background |
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| Cotinus coggyria "Golden Spirit' Smokebush |
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| I loved this tree - Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea'. This was such a beautiful combination. |
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Another plant we feel in love with was Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp'
(Flowering Maple). I've grown them in pots before but had never seen such large plants grown in the ground. I got one of these at Plant Delights! |
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| The Butterfly Garden |
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| There were incredibly aged crape mrytles all over the gardens. This was was located in the Japanese Garden. |
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| Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana 'NCSU Hardy') - I want this! |
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| Bear's Breeches (Acanthus 'Summer Beauty') |
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| Acer rubrum 'Snow Fire' - Isn't this beautiful? |
If you are in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, don't miss this awesome free attraction!
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Comments
Lisa, I think you are right. I located a golden catalpa on their website and the map indicates it is in the area I remember. Thanks!
Thank you for post..
Helen