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Discovering the Roots of Appalachian Music
In addition to the being the oldest mountain chain in North America, the Southern Appalachian region is full of old traditions enriched by a wide variety of people and culture. From quilting, to farming, to arts and craft, these longtime traditions have been passed...
The Power of Pollinators
Planting the Arboretum gardens this season just got a lot more meaningful, considering that we are supporting a host of pollinating insect and bird species. From seasonal landscape exhibits, to bee spirals, to feeding waystations, we have developed an array of...
Q&A with Asheville Author Robert Beatty
As a former tech entrepreneur turned award-winning author, Robert Beatty’s resume is definitely one for the books, literally! After retiring from a successful career in the cloud computing industry, Robert decided to pursue his lifelong goal of improving his writing...
Uncovering “The Magic of Western North Carolina” with Artist James Scott Morrison
Last weekend, the Arboretum unveiled its newest exhibit, The Magic of Western North Carolina, which is located in the upstairs gallery of the Baker Exhibit Center. Produced by James Scott Morrison of Hendersonville, N.C., The Magic of Western North Carolina includes...
Mr. or Ms. Box Turtle? Five Tips on Identifying Box Turtles’ Gender
Eastern box turtles are a familiar resident in much of the eastern United States. Many of us, including myself, link these iconic reptiles to our childhood memories. Growing up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, I recall one particular box turtle (who had a missing limb,...
Where are the Bonsai?
This weekend marks an exciting time here at the Arboretum as our world-famous Bonsai collection makes its debut for the first time since mid-November of last year. In addition to having our Bonsai Exhibition Garden on full display again, we are also celebrating this...
Q&A with Fiber Artists Kathryn Weston, Mary Stori and Judy Simmons
Fine Art and the Colors of Nature is presented by three Carolina fiber artists, each inspired by nature throughout the Carolinas, from the shores to the mountains. Artists Kathryn Weston, Mary Stori and Judy Simmons hope their exhibit will expand the visitors’...
Attack of the Killer Jumping Worms
It wiggles nicely on a hook at the end of a fishing line. It also has such a large appetite for decaying vegetation that it can eat its body weight every day, so it’s great for composting. It’s no wonder that fishermen and gardeners love it so much. It can also jump...
Honoring the Father of American Landscape Architecture: Past, Present and Future
This week marks a significant milestone in Western North Carolina, a region with fascinating biodiversity and a living history that continues to reside all around us. Many decades ago, now-famous naturalists, botanists, horticulturists, foresters and landscape...
Native Orchids in Western North Carolina
When I was a little girl, I spent many days with my family “tromping” – that’s mountaineer talk for “tramping” – through the woods of western North Carolina looking for wildflowers. My folks owned a piece of property near the North Carolina/Tennessee state line off a...