Planning to celebrate springtime in the mountains? As the weather gets warmer and plants and flowers start popping up through the soil (and in some cases, are already blooming…crocuses, we’re talking about you), one excellent place to spend an afternoon is the North Carolina Arboretum. Here are a few March events to usher in Spring at the Arboretum:
- On March 10, the Arboretum will offer Gardening in the Mountains: Vegetable Gardening, a program held in cooperation with the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension and regional Master Gardeners. The program starts at 10am in the Education Center.
- The monthly Collections Walk is a great way to see and learn about specific features of the Arboretum’s cultivated and wild plant collections. The March Collections Walk is titled “Early Bloomers” and starts off at 1pm at the Arboretum’s Baker Exhibit Center Lobby on March 11.
- The Arboretum will showcase the botanical paintings of Peruvian-American botanical artist Miriam Sagasti beginning March 14. This special exhibit, called Blooming Out Loud, runs through May 7, at the second floor gallery of the Arboretum’s Education Center.
- The Western North Carolina Orchid Society will host its annual show March 28-29. You’ll have the opportunity to see orchids from award-winning growers and browse rare and unusual plants for sale.
Additionally, each Tuesday and Saturday, guided Forest Trail Walks start from the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby at 1pm. Topics can include plants, trees, flowers, birds, insects and local history.
Looking for inexpensive activities? All events and exhibits listed above are free (the Arboretum’s usual $6 parking fee does apply, with the exception of free parking on Tuesdays).