Natural beauty comes in a kaleidoscope of colors each fall at rhe North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. Vibrant colors amid trees, shrubs, and perennials delight the senses at the Arboretum. Surrounded by the Southern Appalachian mountains and adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America.
October 9-10, 2010: Carolina Bonsai Expo
The city of Asheville, NC, transforms into the bonsai capital of the Southeast as The North Carolina Arboretum hosts the 15th Carolina Bonsai Expo. Visitors to the show will find an abundance of miniature trees and landscapes, creatively displayed at the Arboretum’s Education Center.
This two-day horticultural extravaganza, situated in the midst of the colorful mountains during fall foliage season, features a juried display of bonsai by clubs from across a six-state region, a renowned bonsai marketplace, workshops, free demonstrations, and a popular Ikebana exhibit. The expo is also a perfect occasion to explore the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden, which celebrates its fifth anniversary as a world-class display that innovatively establishes bonsai in the context of the Southern Appalachians.
This year’s guest artist is David Easterbrook, curator of bonsai at the Montreal Botanical Garden. The Carolina Bonsai Expo includes an expanded bonsai and ikebana exhibit and a live auction of bonsai plants and related materials. The two-day event features juried exhibits by bonsai enthusiasts from throughout the southeast. In addition, workshops are available for those interested in learning bonsai and ikebana techniques from master artists. There is no charge for visitors to attend the Carolina Bonsai Expo although usual parking fees apply.
October 16-17, 2010: North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society’s Annual Show
This year will be very special, as the local chapter hosts the National Chrysanthemum Society Annual Show. Some 200 exhibitors from all over the country are expected to exhibit exceptional blooms and displays in addition to the normal excellent presentation made by the local chapter. Expect to see tree and cascade exhibits as well as displays of chrysanthemums, bonsai, educational exhibits, and a special section on Photography.
The popular annual show showcases hundreds of chrysanthemum blooms in vibrant and varied colors. The exhibits will be judged by National Standards by expert Accredited National Chrysanthemum judges from all over the United States and Canada, by strict NCS standards and highlights the exceptional variety in size, shape and color of these popular fall flowers.
The show is a perfect opportunity to learn more about how to grow display or show quality chrysanthemums. Guests to The NC Arboretum will be able to enjoy the shows and flower sales as well as trail walks, family activities, and exhibits.
More Fall 2010 Events
The Blue Ridge Fiber Show, a unique cultural heritage exhibit at the Education Center featuring fiber crafts from the Blue Ridge Handweavers Guild. “Inspirations from Nature” is the theme of the 2010 show, featuring expanded categories including works made via the art of handweaving, spinning and felting. Select works will be for sale and live craft demonstrations will be offered periodically on weekends.
Inflorescence, a new outdoor sculpture exhibit throughout the Arboretum’s gardens by Jason S. Brown and Elizabeth Scofield that features a variety of botanical forms created from synthetic nylon fabric
