Thinking is for the birds
Really. That is if you're thinking about entering The N&O Birdhouse Competition. This year's contest is planned for April 8-11 at the JC Raulston Arboretum. You still have three months to get your work done. There are categories for kids and adults. Look for more details in the coming weeks.
Inspired exhibits
Speaking of birds, this is for you early birds. Take a free tour of the N.C. Botanical Garden at 10 this morning. A garden curator will lead a tour of the display gardens where you can see evergreen shrubs and trees, seed pods, berries, bark, and buds of native plants. Meet in front of the Totten Center.
For those who'd rather get their garden fix indoors, catch two new exhibits:
"In and Around the Garden" is an exhibit of illustrations by members of the Carolinas chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. An opening reception is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 10. The exhibit runs Jan. 10-Feb. 28 in the DeBerry Botanical Art & Illustration Gallery at the Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.
"Remnants - Photographs Inspired by the Native Plants of North Carolina" will be on display in the Education Center, Jan. 9 to Feb. 28. This exhibit shows photographs by David Blevins of common, rare and newly discovered plants, as well as natural landscapes from across North Carolina.
Call 962-0522 for more information; www.ncbg.unc.edu.
Plan your garden
Take a Walk on the Wild Side from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at Duke Gardens. This tour in the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants offers a chance to see which plants are in bloom and to learn how to design your garden with native plants and more. Registration is required, and the fee is $5.
Also at Duke Gardens, get an early start on planning your vegetable garden at a Successful Gardener Seminar from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 10. Get tips on planning, deciphering seed catalogs, creating raised beds and more. This class is free, but registration is required.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 668-1707, www.sarahpdukegardens.org.
Coming up roses
JC Raulston Arboretum also has something to keep gardeners happy in winter, a class called "Successful Rose Growing for Southern Gardeners." David V.B. Pike of Witherspoon Rose Culture will lecture about preparing rose beds, planting processes and more. Before long, maybe you'll grow the roses that have everyone talking. The lecture is from 7:30 to 9 pm. Jan. 21 at the arboretum. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum
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