Asheville's 434-acre Public Garden is a splendid gathering place. If you live in, are relocating to, or simply are visiting Asheville, North Carolina you can expand your dreams and ideas, brighten your days and feed your heart and soul within our eco-friendly community. Because so many of us love the idea of stewardship, this "events" column focuses on positive futures, the expressions of sustainable community, nature and eco-wise development all revealed on a regular basis at Asheville's Arboretum.
I am a member of the North Carolina Arboretum. And, I must admit, am not objective about this amazing place! Once you discover it, you won't be either. A center for education, research, conservation and economic development, and garden demonstration, the Arboretum offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.
It is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Surrounded by the dense folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural garden settings in America.
This photo of one of the numerous trails at the Arboretum is courtesy of the Center.
Established in 1986 by the General Assembly as an inter-institutional facility of the University of North Carolina, the Arboretum came into existence nearly a century after this country's father of landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted, (probably urged on by my beloved landscape architect, Charles Eliot first envisioned such an institution near Asheville.
The vision became a reality and is thriving today! North Carolina's Asheville's Arboretum invites you to enjoy the goings-on this summer. . .JULY EVENTS: Here are just a few of the events/programs offered in JULY:
1) Here's one those of you who love the idea of garden art are sure to find amazing. Ten (10) of our regional artists have won a place at the Arboretum this summer. They are exhibiting their work in a show called show. "Kaleidoscope". We like the idea that we can see beautiful form, pattern and change in three-dimensional art objects and in a natural setting as I tour the Arboretum's gardens. How about you?
If you are intrigued, catch the "Kaleidoscope" ~ Contemporary Landscape Sculpture Exhibit. Now through October 31, 20088 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
Arboretum grounds
2) Photography Exhibit.My son is a professional fine art photographer. He is also a great co-pilot as I scout the Greater Asheville area for eco-logical-home places. Here is something he recommends ..."fine art photographer Cynthia Walker's exhibition of favorite images of insects and flowers, inspired by the mountain region. The exhibit conveys hidden simplicity within the complexity of nature's patterns and light.
Now through October 14, 2008
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Education Center
3) Perfect for a Sunday afternoon...take the 10k Self-Guided Hike, a 6.2-mile tour of the Arboretum's gardens and woodland areas.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center
4) and if you don't feel like walking.... enjoy an environmentally friendly, smooth 
ride along Arboretum trails on this (see photo). . .
It's a SegwayTM Tour known as "A Glide Through Nature" SegwayTM. The tour lasts three hours and includes an instruction session followed by a tour of the Arboretum. $45 weekdays; $55 weekends. Call the Arboretum at 828-665-2492 (x317) to schedule a tour.
The photo of the Seqway adventurer's is courtesy of Wikipedia
5) On Wednesday, July 23. ..it's back to walking, so put on your walkin' shoes and join us for an "In-Depth Walk: What's New in the Garden." An Arboretum staff horticulturist will lead the way focusing on the alluring features in the gardens. We'll be meeting at 10:30 a.m. Baker Exhibit Center .This is the perfect opportunity to get to know Asheville's 434-acre Public Garden .
6) Next Thursday, July 24 how about exercising the old grey matter, too? You can avail yourself of a full day of seminars. Four speakers will discuss the unique medicinal plant biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians and the role of the Bent Creek Institute in their pioneering work of documenting medicinal properties of our mountain native plants treasury.
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Education Center
Let's Get Together! and Check back for my August Arboretum Picks!and some news about Creating a Beautiful Home Landscape.
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