- This event has passed.
Native Azalea Day
Native Azalea Day
April 26, 2025
Visit the gardens this spring for Native Azalea Day, an invitation to celebrate and experience azaleas through the eyes of plant enthusiasts, botanists, and artists. In partnership with the Mountain Science Exposition, Native Azalea Day plans to bring even more excitement in its third year! For one day only, visitors can observe as plein air artists capture the scene in paint and pen, learn about the garden and its collection on a walking tour, and participate in hands-on activities for children and adults.
A shuttle to the Collection will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., departing to and from the Baker Visitor Center throughout the event. Visitors are also welcome to walk to the Native Azalea Collection from the Gatehouse Parking Lot using Old Mill Road to Bent Creek Road, or can park at the Baker Visitor Center and walk down Running Cedar Road to Bent Creek Road. Walkers should be prepared to travel one mile over unpaved roads and paths.
Schedule
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Shuttles running continuously between Baker and Azalea Collection for public
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Pre-registered bird netting activity with Wild Bird Research Group meets
10:00 a.m.: Event begins with ongoing walk-up features: tabling, activity booklet, scavenger hunt, and cyanotype activity
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with curator (45 minute)
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: Performance from Carolina Gold Rush
11:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Cyanotype demonstration with Calissa Lawn
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.: Performance from Carolina Gold Rush
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)
3:00 p.m.: Event ends, last shuttle
Event Details
View collection of all the event registration listings here
Birding Walk with Wild Bird Research Group
Meets at the National Native Azalea Collection entry bridge on Bent Creek Road
April 26th, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Pre-registration required, maximum participants: 12
Suggested Donation $15
Description:
Join Anthony Squitieri for a bird banding demonstration and slow walk through the Arboretum’s Native Azalea Collection. Since 2018, Anthony has been conducting research in the Native Azalea Collection on neotropical migratory birds. Participants will learn about the important role that natural plant communities (like those stewarded in the Native Azalea Collection’s landscape!) play in supporting an abundance and diversity of bird species. Participants will have the opportunity to identify bird species, by sight and by song, and will learn about the methods and findings of Anthony’s research. Mist nets will be set up in the landscape and, if we’re lucky, participants might even have the opportunity to see wild birds up close and get hands-on experience helping with their release!
Cyanotype Demonstration with Callisa Lawn
Meets at the National Native Azalea Collection’s Teaching Circle
April 26th, 2025
12:30 p.m
Registration notes:
There is no charge or pre-registration required for this activity.
Description:
Callisa Lawn is an interdisciplinary sculpture artist whose work comes out of two Asheville studios; The Asheville Community Darkroom and Torched AVL. The development of large-format prints outside the small space of a darkroom, initiated her research into the cyanotype printing process.
Weather permitting, Calissa will be leading a tabled, hands-on cyanotype activity for the public throughout Native Azalea Day, starting at 10am, and continuing as long as materials last. Between 12pm and 12:30pm, Callisa will pause the tabled activity and give a brief, informal talk about the artform, sharing her insights to the medium while demonstrating the development of a unique cyanotype composition.
For more about Calissa: callisalawn.com
Walking Tour of the Native Azalea Collection with Carson Ellis
Meets at the National Native Azalea Collection entry bridge.
April 26th, 2025
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Registration notes:
There is no charge for this activity, but it is limited to 12 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis. Those interested in securing a spot are encouraged to pre-register online. If space is available day-of, on-site paper registration at the Native Azalea Collection will also be available during the Native Azalea Day event.
Description:
Carson Ellis, horticulturist and plant ecologist, is the Curator of the National Native Azalea Collection. Carson will be leading a 45-minute walking tour of the Native Azalea Collection, stopping frequently to introduce participants to the many fascinating and beautiful native azalea species that grow in the Collection. Participants will learn not only about azaleas, but will have the opportunity to learn more from Carson about her work as Curator, the history of the Collection, and the future of the Collection.
Walking Tour of the Native Azalea Collection with a Volunteer Docent
Meets at the National Native Azalea Collection entry bridge.
April 26th, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm, 12:30pm-1:00pm, and 1:30pm-2:00pm
Registration notes:
There is no charge for this activity, but it is limited to 12 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis. Those interested in securing a spot are encouraged to pre-register online. If space is available day-of, on-site paper registration at the Native Azalea Collection will also be available during the Native Azalea Day event.
Registration here: 11:30am-12:00pm, 12:30pm-1:00pm, and 1:30pm-2:00pm
Description:
Stewardship of the 7-acre Native Azalea Collection is supported by a select group of volunteers. These volunteers, having a year of experience working in the Azalea Collection under their belts, are brimming with azalea knowledge and ready to share their insights with you! Native Azalea Collection volunteers will be leading three 30-minute walking tours of the Native Azalea Collection, stopping frequently to introduce participants to the fascinating and beautiful native azalea species that grow in the Collection. Participants will learn not only about azaleas, but will have the opportunity to learn about volunteering at the Arboretum, the history of the Azalea Collection, and the ongoing projects that these volunteers have been supporting.
All activities, unless otherwise noted, are included with general admission fees.
This event is part of Spring Into the Arb! Celebrate the return of spring with a series of events and happenings throughout March, April, May and June! Spring is a time of renewal and emergence, and The North Carolina Arboretum is excited to welcome this season with plant shows, nature programs, education, music, art and more!