NORTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN

NORTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN

NEWS
Botanical Garden Celebrates 50 Years of “Silent Spring”

Chapel Hill:  Three April events planned by the North Carolina Botanical Garden celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of “Silent Spring,” Rachel Carson’s classic and revolutionary exposé of toxic chemical use in the U.S.

On April 18, Botanical Garden Director Peter White (faculty in UNC’s Department of Biology) leads a discussion, in book-club format, on the impact of “Silent Spring” on the environmental movement. Participants will independently read “Silent Spring” using study questions provided by Dr. White ahead of time. Advance registration is required, and those interested should call now to sign up: 919-962-0522. There is a small fee.

The second event is a morning Bird Walk at Mason Farm Biological Reserve, part of the North Carolina Botanical Garden. The Saturday, April 21, walk will be led by Cynthia Fox, bird expert and owner of Chapel Hill’s Wild Bird Center. Advance registration is required and there is a small fee; call 919-962-0522. Mason Farm is a 367-acre reserve in Chapel Hill that encompasses both forests and old fields supporting a great diversity of wildlife. Visitation is by permit only, available at the Botanical Garden.

The third event is a lecture by Dr. Priscilla Coit Murphy, scholar and author of “What a Book Can Do: The Publication and Reception of Silent Spring.” The free lecture is on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Botanical Garden’s Reeves Auditorium. Please call ahead to reserve a seat: 919-962-0522. Dr. Coit Murphy offers a vivid recounting of the events in 1962 leading up to and following to the publication of “Silent Spring.” “My goal is to bring immediacy to the anniversary and the book’s unique ability to enable a single citizen to place a matter of public importance in the forums of debate,” says Coit Murphy.

The North Carolina Botanical Garden is located at 100 Old Mason Farm Road off Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill. Admission to gardens, trails, and exhibits is free. More information at http://ncbg.unc.edu or 919-962-0522.

ARDITH'S JOTTINGS;

Fayetteville-City of Dogwoods
April 27-29, 2012

The 30th Annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival will offer something for everyone.  Fireworks, amusements, entertainment, 5K/10K race, free admission and parking with shuttle service. There will also be craftspeople and artisans, local and national,  to please your creative eye.  You can check it out by going to faydogwoodfestival.com.

Chapel Hill
April 27, 2012

Big Band Music Lovers-take note.  The North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra will present the music of Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, etc at Hill Hall Auditorium at 8pm.  Ticket cost is very friendly to your wallet.  Check it out at ncjro.org/calendar.


Charlotte-UNC Botanical Gardens
April 20-21, 2012

A great chance to enhance your garden with native plants and unusual botanicals at one of the state's largest plant sales.  Carnivorous plants, wildflowers, trees, shrubs,orchids plus lots more will be available.  the public greenhouse and gardens of the Botanical Gardens benefit from this sale.  Admission is free.  The sale is from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day.  If you are unable to attend, urge your gardening friends in Charlotte to take advantage of this fun event.


Wilmington
April 13-15, 2012
Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour

11 of Wilmington's most beautiful private gardens will be open to tour. These gardens feature different styles with ideas to steal for our own home wonderlands.  You will see formal gardens, unique outdoor living spaces plus landscapes with a contemporary touch.  For further information go to azaleagardentour.org.

Further afield offerings for the Flower and Garden enthusiasts are:

Memphis Flower Show
April 27-29,2012

This Garden Club of America Major Flower Show will be held the Dixon Gallery and Gardens.  The Memphis Garden Club offers this flower show free of charge.  Floral interpretations of early 1900s American Scene and Modernist paintings are the highlights. An exhibit of botanical photographs will also be presented.

Rochester, New York
Lilac Festival
May 11-20, 2012

Lilacs represent spring to me.  I remember them from my grandmother's garden.  Their glorious scent and the way they swayed softly in the breeze.  If, like me, you have fond memories of lilac-time, you might want to take in this festival.  It is a 10 day event with something for everyone in the family.  It showcases the world's largest lilac collection, planted in 1892 by horticulturist John Dunbar.  Flowers, vendors, food, music, etc lead up to the Lilac Parade with dancers and decorated floats.

London, England
Chelsea Flower Show
May 22-26, 2012

The sine qua non of flower shows.  This world class event, presented by the Royal Horticultural Society on the grounds of Chelsea Royal Hospital,  is where new plant varieties are introduced and botanical trends are launched.  The Show Gardens designed by names of the horticultural world and selected members of the British gardening public are the keystone of this event.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Garden Inspiration - Time to fill the pots

Barbara has a special blog which I love.  It is called American Garden History and my first love is history and my second is gardens.  Today blog entry "Time to fill the pots" caught my eye and
heart.
Take a look at her blog and check out her archives if you have the same duel loves.

http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/

Upcoming programs and classes SARAH P DUKE GARDENS

Classes and programs include:
                Nature Adventures Camp (spring break & summer)
All new & expanded programs, and it's filling up fast. Spring break camp “CAMP OUT” is schedule for April 9 – 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with extended care available from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participant Limit: 12 Fee: $150, extended care for an additional $75 weekly fee.

In this new mini-film by Gardens volunteer Fred Westbrook, children talk about the allure of exploring at Duke Gardens. http://ondemand.duke.edu/video/31458/nature-adventures-camp-at-duke.

                Nature for Sprouts begins Friday, April 6 through April 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For children ages 3-5, with adult chaperone.
                Join us for a month of Friday morning seasonal explorations. Programs incorporate stories, movement, music, outdoor adventures, and creative
projects while the children explore plants, habitats and animals in the Gardens.
Participant Limit: 12 children. Fee: $24; Friends $20. Please call 919-668-1707 to register.

                Wind World is scheduled for Saturday, March 24, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. For children ages 5-7, with adult chaperone
                Where does the wind come from? Where does it go? Learn about this force of nature and build tools to help you ‘see’ the wind.
                Participant Limit: 12 children. Fee: $6; Friends $5. Please call 919-668-1707 to register.

Vegetable Gardening:            Spring Season starts March 22, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. For adult
                 participants
                Learn about planning and planting the summer garden, working with your soil, planning for heat, and water-wise strategies to use
in the vegetable garden. Participant Limit: 15. Fee: $75; Friends $60. Home Horticulture Certificate elective. Please call 919-668-1707 to register.

Early Spring Jewels with Ken Moore meets on March 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For adult participants
Hike around Penny’s Bend looking for the Dutchman’s breeches, trout lily and other signs of spring. Activity level: moderately strenuous.
Participant Limit: 15 Fee: $18; Friends $15. Meet at Penny’s Bend, directions will be provided.
Master Naturalist Certificate elective. Please call 919-668-1707 to register.

Learn from the Masters is scheduled for 3 Saturdays, March 31 – April 14, from 8 – 10 a.m. Instructors Mark Riedy and John Wigmore
                Go from ordinary to extraordinary photographs in three easy steps. Learn how masterful photographers, such as Ansel Adams, worked to create great images despite the limitations of film and post production. Mark and John have studied photography and several master photographers for more than 35 years. Their approach will give you tools to make thoughtful choices and deliver amazing photographs through careful study and planning.
Participation Limit: 20 Fee: $95; Friends $75. Nature Photography Certificate elective. Please call 919-668-1707 to register.

Save the Date notices: Spring Family Fun days begin April 15, and continue on April 29, May 6 and May 20, free activities in the Gardens from noon to 3:00 p.m.
The Nature Ranger Cart makes its seasonal appearance, scheduled for all Friday mornings in April, May, and June from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Paperhand Puppet Intervention performs “The Big Tent Cabaret Road Show” at the Gardens on June 10 – call now for tickets, 668-1707.