New Growth: Artists Respond to the Forest

New Growth: Artists Respond to the ForestJan 17 – May 10The North Carolina Arboretum’s new Winter Artist Residency program welcomes Asheville Artists to engage with the landscape during the shift from winter to spring. This evolving exhibition presents aesthetic respons......More

New Growth: Artists Respond to the ForestJan 17 – May 10The North Carolina Arboretum’s new Winter Artist Residency program welcomes Asheville Artists to engage with the landscape during the shift from winter to spring. This evolving exhibition presents aesthetic responses to the sights and sounds of the dormant to waking states of our surroundings from January to March each year. We encourage you to visit periodically as the exhibition unfolds. Return viewers will discover the beauty of our environment as the seasons turn and gain a deeper understanding of the work coming from emerging contemporary artists of our region.   Showing concurrently:‘Fine Details’ by artist Mary Ruden showcases botanical illustration by artist The exhibit includes colored pencil and watercolor drawings used in scientific articles, posters, and in folding field guides to identify plants. All artworks feature native orchids, including a bronze statue of a Pink Lady Slipper orchid. Ruden authored and illustrated two folding field guides on native orchids of North America for Waterford Press “A Pocket Naturalist” series. Many of the species of orchids displayed in the art are native to North Carolina.

Baker Exhibit Center

Botanical Drawing for Beginners - March

Botanical Drawing for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno 4 sessions Tuesdays March 10th through the 31st | 10:30 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE This newly formatted class will be open for registration on January 17th for any remaining seats. We had to restructure the old class so pr......More

Botanical Drawing for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno 4 sessions Tuesdays March 10th through the 31st | 10:30 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE This newly formatted class will be open for registration on January 17th for any remaining seats. We had to restructure the old class so previous students will have the first chance to register.  During this beginner level class, you will learn several drawing techniques including line, shading, pen and ink. We will discuss composition with contour, contrast and texture and how to use watercolor to complete your drawing. We will experiment with different techniques to enhance your personal style. All materials and supplies will be provided.   Camille Daunno is a retired Art Teacher with an undergraduate degree in Fine Art with graduate work in Textile Design. She worked in NYC as a designer for 10 years designing Fabric and wallpaper. Camille studied Art in NJ, NYC and Italy and studied Botanical Illustration and Painting at the NY Botanical Gardens with a certified instructor. Her favorite audience to share her love of Botanical art with is her children and grandchildren.  Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Genetics and Reproduction of Plants

Genetics and Reproduction of Plantswith Alexandra Holland Tuesday, March 24  |  1 – 2:30pm BRN – Core |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Building on Beginning Botany, this class delves a little deeper into plant reproduction, looking at the reproductive cycle of mosses, f......More

Genetics and Reproduction of Plantswith Alexandra Holland Tuesday, March 24  |  1 – 2:30pm BRN – Core |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Building on Beginning Botany, this class delves a little deeper into plant reproduction, looking at the reproductive cycle of mosses, ferns, pines, and flowering plants.  We’ll also study how both genetics and environmental factors affect plant development.  This includes a hands-on time to dissect flowers.  Prerequisite:  Beginning Botany Alexandra Holland graduated from Duke University and earned her Master’s degree in botany from the University of Texas at Austin.  She was in the first class of students to be certified as Blue Ridge Naturalists.  Alexandra managed the UTEX Culture Collection of Algae at UT Austin and spent many hours working with education programs at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  She has taught botany for over a decade and leads nature hikes in Western NC for groups of all ages. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here See all of our classes open for registration here!

Asheville Orchid Festival

25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom”March 27 – 29, 2026Friday 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Education CenterThe Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North......More

25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom”March 27 – 29, 2026Friday 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Education CenterThe Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom” from March 27-29, 2026. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event. World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at the annual festival, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays. Admission to the Asheville Orchid Festival is $5.00 for everyone over the age of 12 years old, and free for Western North Carolina Orchid Society members. A regular parking fee for The North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of Arboretum Members. Thousands of orchids will be for sale by vendors from Ecuador and across the United States. There will be something for all orchid lovers, and attendees should expect rare species and cutting-edge hybrids. All orchid exhibits, orchid programs, and educational lectures are included with the admission fee and children 12 and under can enter free. All admission proceeds benefit WNCOS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and help expand the society’s mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation. For more information, please visit wncos.org  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!

Education Center

Asheville Orchid Festival

25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom”March 27 – 29, 2026Friday 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Education CenterThe Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North......More

25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom”March 27 – 29, 2026Friday 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Education CenterThe Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom” from March 27-29, 2026. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event. World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at the annual festival, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays. Admission to the Asheville Orchid Festival is $5.00 for everyone over the age of 12 years old, and free for Western North Carolina Orchid Society members. A regular parking fee for The North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of Arboretum Members. Thousands of orchids will be for sale by vendors from Ecuador and across the United States. There will be something for all orchid lovers, and attendees should expect rare species and cutting-edge hybrids. All orchid exhibits, orchid programs, and educational lectures are included with the admission fee and children 12 and under can enter free. All admission proceeds benefit WNCOS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and help expand the society’s mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation. For more information, please visit wncos.org  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!

Education Center

Asheville Orchid Festival

25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom”March 27 – 29, 2026Friday 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Education CenterThe Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North......More

25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom”March 27 – 29, 2026Friday 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Education CenterThe Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 25th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Kingdom” from March 27-29, 2026. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event. World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at the annual festival, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays. Admission to the Asheville Orchid Festival is $5.00 for everyone over the age of 12 years old, and free for Western North Carolina Orchid Society members. A regular parking fee for The North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of Arboretum Members. Thousands of orchids will be for sale by vendors from Ecuador and across the United States. There will be something for all orchid lovers, and attendees should expect rare species and cutting-edge hybrids. All orchid exhibits, orchid programs, and educational lectures are included with the admission fee and children 12 and under can enter free. All admission proceeds benefit WNCOS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and help expand the society’s mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation. For more information, please visit wncos.org  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!

Education Center

Botanical Drawing for Beginners - March

Botanical Drawing for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno 4 sessions Tuesdays March 10th through the 31st | 10:30 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE This newly formatted class will be open for registration on January 17th for any remaining seats. We had to restructure the old class so pr......More

Botanical Drawing for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno 4 sessions Tuesdays March 10th through the 31st | 10:30 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE This newly formatted class will be open for registration on January 17th for any remaining seats. We had to restructure the old class so previous students will have the first chance to register.  During this beginner level class, you will learn several drawing techniques including line, shading, pen and ink. We will discuss composition with contour, contrast and texture and how to use watercolor to complete your drawing. We will experiment with different techniques to enhance your personal style. All materials and supplies will be provided.   Camille Daunno is a retired Art Teacher with an undergraduate degree in Fine Art with graduate work in Textile Design. She worked in NYC as a designer for 10 years designing Fabric and wallpaper. Camille studied Art in NJ, NYC and Italy and studied Botanical Illustration and Painting at the NY Botanical Gardens with a certified instructor. Her favorite audience to share her love of Botanical art with is her children and grandchildren.  Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk

Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walkwith Lauren Lampley Tuesday, March 31  |  1 – 3pm BRN – Elective  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE This class will be focused on those small wildflowers that bloom earlier than all the others and complete their life cycles before the cano......More

Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walkwith Lauren Lampley Tuesday, March 31  |  1 – 3pm BRN – Elective  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE This class will be focused on those small wildflowers that bloom earlier than all the others and complete their life cycles before the canopy trees even leaf out for the year! We will walk around property looking for the group of wildflowers called Ephemeral because of how short lived the flowers are and will discuss why that is an advantage over other flowering schedules for some species. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Lauren Lampley began her career at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation as a Park Naturalist which solidified Lauren’s interests in ecology and a passion for teaching others. She has led walks and hikes in a variety of subjects from Geology to Birding and especially enjoys learning and teaching about our local ecology. She currently works at the NC Arboretum as the Adult Education Coordinator managing all the programming hosted through the Adult Education Department. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!