The North Carolina Arboretum -- "Some Assembly Required"

Fall is in full swing at the NC Arboretum

The autumn winds are blowing, drawing us out to see deciduous trees in all their gaudy splendor.  There are few places in the Southeast U.S. that compare to Asheville, North Carolina for viewing fall foliage.  The North Carolina Arboretum is one of Asheville's treasures, and a great place to explore the colors of autumn.

The 434 acre property boasts several trails of varying difficulty, diverse and well-maintained garden areas, and two very nice buildings for visitors -- the Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center.  I visited the NC Arboretum for the first time earlier in October.  Although the whole property was dazzling, my favorite areas were in the main garden area.

Bonsai displays may use traditional or unique plant
material, like this grove of bonsai bald cypress.

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden was especially impressive.  Although the specimens were younger than bonsai exhibits that may be found at other gardens, I thought the variety of plants and styles were much better than other displays I've seen.  In addition to the traditional Japanese maples, junipers and pines, the exhibit included specimens native to the continent and the southeast region, like bald cypress and hornbeam.  Although the bonsai specimens are the main attraction, the exhibition garden is a really lovely setting for the display.  Also, the signage was attractive and informative.

The Gardener's Green Shed showcases
water-saving methods for the landscape

The Quilt Garden is usually a "must see" area.  I visited during a kind of weird in-between period where their summer annuals had been removed but it was too early to add their winter interest plants.  Plants in the quilt garden are arranged in really interesting patterns.  Visitors can walk between squares to see the pattern up close or view from an overlook to see the whole picture.

A couple other areas include the Heritage Garden that showcases ornamental plants that have a history as utility plants in the appalachian region, the Dickinson Holly Garden that showcases a variety of hollies and their uses in the landscape.

Although I was originally drawn to the NC Arboretum to view fall foliage and explore new gardens, I was in for a special treat.  Right now the arboretum has LEGO nature-inspired art pieces on display throughout the garden as a part of their "Some Assembly Required" exhibit.  Of the 27 sculptures that are part of the exhibit, 15 are places outdoors throughout the gardens.  Created by certified LEGO artist Sean Kenney, pieces range in size and style, from a intricate phalaenopsis orchid to a life-size lawnmower.

Young folks were really interested in
"Some Assembly Required" LEGO statutes

The morning of my visit, it seemed like most folks were there to see the LEGO art.  Finding each piece was like an exciting scavenger hunt for young visitors.  Children cried with joy when they discovered the next sculpture, then fell into silent, wide-eyed awe as they took in the intricacy of the display.  If you know a LEGO lover of any age, definitely check out "Some Assembly Required" at the NC Arboretum this fall and winter.  The LEGOs will be on display until January 5, 2014.

The arboretum offers several features intended to enhance the visitor experience, including cell phone tours, geocaching, clean bathrooms, water fountains, and other amenities available for use in their buildings.  The Savory Thyme Cafe is housed within the Education Building, and offers local, natural, and organic selections.  The Connections Gallery gift shop in the Baker Exhibit Center had a nice selection of horticultural, local, and touristy items for sale.

Other important considerations when planning your visit:

• Hours of operation:
• April 1 to October 31, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• November 1 to March 31, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Baker Exhibit Center, Education Center, Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission: FREE
• Parking: 
• FREE the first Tuesday of each month
• $8 personal vehicles
• $30 commercial vehicles
• $50 buses
• Free for members of the NC Arboretum
• Accessibility:
• The garden areas, production greenhouse, Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center are wheelchair accessible.  The trails have varying levels of accessibility.
• Wheelchairs are available to use free of charge, and may be borrowed from the Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center.
• Pets:
• Dogs may visit the gardens and arboretum areas as long as they are kept on a leash.  Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
• Service animals are allowed inside buildings.

The arboretum is very easy to find from I-40, with plenty of signage guiding you there from the interstate.  However, when you plan your trip to the NC Arboretum, consider taking the road less traveled.  In addition to hopping on I-40, some folks could also travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway or 19 to Cherokee then up 411 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Special thanks to my co-hort Nathan and his friend Tiffany for keeping me company in the Arboretum. Also thank-you Jared in Raleigh and Nathan in Johnson City for helping me triangulate the peak time to visit Asheville.

To see more photos of my visit to the North Carolina Arboretum, check out my flickr set.

If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, please feel welcome to leave a comment on this post or shoot me an email.

Tell me about your last visit to a garden or arboretum.  What was your favorite part?

What's the most unusual display or exhibit you've seen at a garden or arboretum?

Young folks were really interested in "Some Assembly Required" LEGO statutes

Light Up the Night at Cheekwood Botanical Garden

Bruce Munro's Field of Light at Cheekwood Botanic Garden

Garden aficionados may go out of their way to visit a garden they've never seen before.  After the first visit, it often takes a special event to coax visitors into returning.  Nashville's Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum cooks up something special every year, from Chihuly Nights to Big Bugs.  When I heard about this year's Bruce Munro LIGHT, that piqued my interest enough to spur a drive across the state and revisit this fabulous garden.

Munro's dazzling displays feature fiber optic light as art.  The outdoor section of the exhibit has seven arrangements, including firefly-like lights throughout the bamboo grove in the Japanese garden, 40 water towers near the Botanic Hall that collectively contain over 10,000 recycled water bottles, and a massive field of light that fills the open space between the East Gardens and the Museum of Art with 20,000 glass spheres.  Wow.

These towers are made of recycled water bottles.
Each bottle contains thread for fiber optic lights.

Bruce also created several pieces that are showcased within the Museum of Art.  Keep your eyes peeled for my favorite from the indoor collection -- the interactive piece "Pop Princess."  I would have missed it completely if a kindly security guard in the adjacent stairwell had not walked me through it.

Garden hours were extended until 11:00 p.m. for optimum viewing experience.  During my visit mid-July, the show started just after 8:00.  If you're not much of a night owl, consider visiting later in the year when the days are longer.  Plan to visit before the exhibit closes November 10th.

Music lovers will especially enjoy the lights during "First Tennessee Fridays".  Live music will be scattered at several locations around the garden.  However, first fridays do get very crowded.  If you'd prefer to avoid large crowds, the exhibit is less busy on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

"Crawling Lady Hare" in Cheekwood's
Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail

That said, you don't need a special event to visit Cheekwood.  The phenomenal gardens are brimming with life and color year round, and there's always something to see in the Museum of Art or Frist Learning Center and Contemporary Art Galleries.  I especially enjoyed walking through the Burr Terrace Garden.  The use of layering with contrasting colors, textures and shapes was really refreshing. If you're up for a hike, the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail is full of art and wildlife.  In addition to exploring some pretty interesting displays, I crossed paths with a rabbit, turtle, two wood chucks and two deer.

Cheekwood also has plenty to keep young visitors entertained.  From the Walden Treehouse to the Trains! model train exhibit featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, there is lots for the wee ones to do outdoors.  The Frist Learning Center often includes interactive art opportunities for visitors, and offers classes and camps to engage youth in the pursuit of art.

It would be remiss if I did not mention the fabulous Pineapple Room restaurant.  The Pineapple Room isn't your run of the mill garden restaurant aimed at satisfying visitor's appetites.  Many folks visit Cheekwood primarily to taste the garden gourmet.  You'll want to call ahead to make reservations to be sure you don't miss out.

Other important considerations when planning your visit:

• Hours of operation:
• Normally, Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• For the lights until November 10, Wednesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Closed Mondays except Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Admission:
  

  

  Not all areas of the garden are wheelchair
  accessible.  Check the accessibility map for
  more information to help you plan your visit

• Adults: $12
• Seniors: $10
• College Students (with ID) and Youth: $5
• Children under 2: Free
• Military personnel save 50% with a current ID.
• Bruce Munro LIGHT Nights: An additional $3 after 4:30 p.m.
• Parking: $3
• Accessibility:
• As a historic site, many of the garden paths are not easily accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.  However, there are very accessible and easy to navigate paths throughout many areas where visitors can experience the most of the garden.  An accessibility map is available to help you plan your visit.
• Shuttle transportation is available on request at any Cheekwood building.
• Pets: Restricted to service animals only.
• Cheekwood's "Helpful Hints" for visitors for available to review.

Special thanks to my cohort Chris for keeping me company at the light show and putting up with my incessant photography.

To see more photos of my visit to the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum, check out my flickr set.

If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

When is the last time that you visited a botanical garden?  What was your favorite feature?

When is the last time you visited the Cheekwood Botanical Garden?  How was your experience?

20,000 glass spheres light a dazzling display the field between Cheekwood's East Gardens and Museum of Art

Cheekwood's perennial garden is especially stunning at sunset.

I explore Cheekwood before Bruce Munro's LIGHT exhibit

Horticulture for the Holidays: Spotlight on the U.S. Botanic Garden

The U.S. Botanic Garden's conservatory is
a tropical escape from D.C.'s winter weather

For many families, the holiday season is the time to reconnect with loved ones. Some families will traverse the miles to gather at the home of a loved one. Others may take a family vacation and experience someplace new together.

 However you celebrate the holidays, I encourage you to visit a public garden in the area. Many public gardens have holiday activities and displays from tours and workshops to Christmas lights and trains. 

Last Christmas, I traveled to our nation's capital - Washington D.C. - to take in the sights and to re-visit the United States Botanic Garden.  The garden is tucked away near the Capitol building on the National Mall.  The U.S. Botanic Garden's website states that their mission is "to demonstrate the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic and ecological importance of plants to the well-being of humankind."

 The conservatory is spectacular at any time of year, with exhibits like the garden court, that features plants that are used in products from food to cosmetics.  Although I prefer to visit the garden during warmer months, it's still worthwhile to peruse exhibits like the rose garden at any time of year.

This plant based model of the capitol is part of
the USBG holiday exhibit "Seasons Greenings"

The U.S. Botanic Garden celebrates the holidays with a "Seasons Greenings" exhibit that features a model of the capital, trains, fairy dwellings, and a display of a large collection of poinsettias.  In addition to festive displays, USBG will host live holiday music and workshops.

The holiday exhibit runs from November 22 to January 1st and the garden will be open for extended hours until 8:00 p.m.  As is true for the rest of the year, a holiday visit to the U.S. Botanic Garden is free to the public.

If "Season Greenings" 2012 is anything like last year, plan to wait in line for the model trains.  Although the conservatory was slightly crowded, there wasn't any wait to get into the garden or conservatory itself.

Whether you're able to visit the United States Botanic Garden or a public garden a little closer to home, consider making a garden trip part of your holiday traditions.  You'll be glad you did!

If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, please leave a comment or shoot me an email.

To see more photos of my trips to the United States Botanic Garden, check out my photobucket story.

To get more of Amanda, check out The Thrifty Gardener and Plante on Plants.

Have you ever visited the United States Botanic Garden?  What was your experience there?

Where is your favorite public garden holiday display?  Where else would you like to visit?

Me, enjoying our visit to the U.S. Botanic Garden's conservatory over the holidays in 2011

Located on the mall at Washington D.C., the United States Botanic Garden is lovely to visit any time of year.