2024
Although it has its roots in ancient Asian traditions, the living art of bonsai now enjoys enthusiasts throughout much of the world. Taught by Rebecca Ayres, who assists the curator with the Arboretum’s collection, this class covers basic concepts and hands-on skill building for novices to begin growing and shaping their own miniature trees.
Read MoreMAY 11-12, 2024
The return of the bonsai and landscapes to the display shelves in the garden each spring is always cause for celebration! The date is chosen in recognition of World Bonsai Day, a worldwide celebration honoring the art of bonsai as an expression of peace and harmony in nature. Members of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society will be on hand to demonstrate techniques and answer questions.
Read MoreTUESDAY, MAY 21, 5:30 - 7 PM
Join this after-hours tour of the garden with Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura for a personal and informative overview of the art of bonsai and the Arboretum's own creative approach to it. Foliage is at its freshest at this time of year, and flowers will likely be blooming in the garden landscape and on select bonsai.
Read MoreFRIDAY, MAY 31, 1 - 5 PM
Join Ethnobiologist Marc Williams on a plant walk around the Arboretum gardens and forest during the start of the most challenging time to botanize during the year. Once the flowers, fruits and leaves are mostly gone, we learn to distinguish more subtle clues to determine the identification of many plants.
Read MoreIN PERSON | SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2 - 4 p.m.
Many specimens in The North Carolina Arboretum bonsai collection were donated in non-showable condition. That is to say, when we received these trees they were in development as bonsai but not quite there yet. The value of these plants was in their age, with the need for a design plan and refinement being what was lacking. In bonsai, accumulated age is worth something! In this program, Arboretum Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura will look at three bonsai specimens currently in similar non-showable condition and discuss each in detail. Then all three will be pruned and set on a course toward better design and refinement. This program is presented by Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with the local Blue Ridge Bonsai Society.
Read MoreLaura Sellers and Jessica White, both professors in Warren Wilson’s art department, drew inspiration from the Arboretum’s bonsai collection and Arthur’s practice of bonsai as fine art to design a two-part November workshop focused on creating on a scale perfectly in proportion to the tiny trees. Click on the post and scroll through for scenes from two immersive days of seeing and making small.
Read More
