Native Azalea Day

Native Azalea Day

April 18, 2026

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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. 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.

Special thanks to Community Partner Carolina Native Nursery for sponsoring Native Azalea Day.

Event Schedule

8:30 – 9:30 a.m: Pre-registered “Ecology of the Native Azalea Collection” with Lauren Lampley

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Tabling with local environmental organizations including Carolina Native Nursery, NC Native Plant Society, Azalea Society of America, Arboretum Adult Education Citizen Science, Dayna of Solstice Handmade, and Graham County 

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Ecology scavenger hunt with Hemlock Restoration Initiative

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Dissecting scope and interactive drawing activities with Educator, Erin Ellis.

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Cyanotyping activity

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Music with SARAH

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Food and drink provided by The Arbor Eatery

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Plein Art Painting Group of Asheville

10:30 – 11:15 a.m: Pre-registered walking tour with curator, Carson Ellis

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent

12:30 – 1:00 p.m: Pre-registered walking tour with Lauren Best, Native Azalea Conservation Assistant

1:30 – 2:00 p.m: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent

3:00 p.m: Last shuttle departs Azalea Collection

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!