Rhododendrons and azaleas lead a flowery May at Arboretum

On May 2 and 3, the American Rhododendron Society’s Southeastern Chapter will hold its annual show at the North Carolina Arboretum. The event features hundreds of blooms on display at the Education Center, including many favorite mountain plants.

The event also highlights azaleas: Bent Creek is home to the National Native Azalea Repository, which was established to help preserve and protect native varieties such as the flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum). Sixteen azalea varieties are native to the U.S. – many of them to this area. The repository serves as a “conservation reservoir” or storage center that holds the hereditary material for each native species, as well as hybrids and cultivated varieties. During the rhododendron show, trail walks to the repository will be offered.

Other flower species will get the spotlight later in the month: On May 9 and May 12, the Carolinas Dahlia Society and the NC Chrysanthemum Society celebrate the season with a Spring Dahlia Tuber Sale and Chrysanthemum Cutting Sale. And on May 30-31, the Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society hold its annual exhibit and sale.

Shows and events are free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee ($6 per personal motor vehicle). Visitors are encouraged to explore the Arboretum’s kaleidoscope of spring color, 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, engaging exhibits, and bountiful opportunities to connect with nature.

For information, call 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.

– Margaret Williams

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.