Dear JC Raulston Arboretum Members,

I hope you are all safe and healthy during this unprecedented time and want to assure you that the JCRA’s gardens are open and welcoming visitors. Now more than ever we hope you will come out and let the garden help soothe away stress in a safe and beautiful retreat. Open, outdoor spaces like the Arboretum are among the safest environments outside of your home.

In an effort to be a responsible civic citizen, we are canceling all JCRA programs through April 5. This includes all tours, classes, and workshops. While we wish we could continue these programs, one of the most effective strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to reduce the opportunities for groups of diverse individuals to come in close contact. We feel this is part of our responsibility to keep our community safe and healthy.

Unfortunately, this means Raulston Blooms! will be canceled this spring. We have been growing a tremendous variety of plants for the sale so don’t worry, we will have an opportunity for you to get your hands on these plants later in the season.

I hope you can come out for a visit and see the gardens for yourself but if you are self-quarantined, immunocompromised, or feel you are at high risk, we will endeavor to bring the Arboretum to you. Keep an eye out for videos highlighting the JCRA and our plant collections on social media and our YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/user/jcraulstonarb) where we will continue in our mission to share our passion for plants.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website (http://cdc.gov/coronavirus) or NC State University’s site (http://ncsu.edu/coronavirus).

Mark Weathington
Director, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University