HOURS & YEARS AWARD PINS EARNED

This group of active volunteers received pins in recognition of the hours and years they have given working at the Arboretum, on the InfoLine, and in the community promoting good gardening practices.  The Year Pins ranged from 5 years to 20.  The hour pins were for 250 to 500 hours.  Wow! Congratulations!

ANOTHER WORKER AT THE ARBORETUM

This little bee is happy to have some late winter blooms to visit.  Next to the Ag Center, the Tar River Beekeepers keep several hives.  You can find more information about this group on their public Facebook page.

Blooming Helleborus (Lenten Rose)

Also blooming are the Narcissus 'Ice Follies' daffodils scattered throughout the Arboretum.  A few years ago a bushel of bulbs was planted.  They have multiplied and are putting on a great display.  Pictured below is one, but you can view more photos and gardening advice at our Facebook page (search Pitt County Arboretum).  Or come out for a visit and see them in person!

Narcissus 'Ice Follies'

Photos by M. Shugart

WORK DAY

The Master Gardener Volunteers meet at least monthly to clean up, prune up, mulch up, plant up, dig up, etc. up.  In February our major tasks were to cut down the Liriope muscari (lilyturf), Callicarpa americana (Beautyberry), and other perennial plants where the older foliage was left over winter to protect the base of the plant.

Wondering when to prune your trees and shrubs?  Check out this publication:

HOW TO PRUNE SPECIFIC PLANTS

WINTER BLOOMER - Hellebores

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Shooting Star'

This hellebore (Lenton Rose) is currently in full bloom in our Shade Garden.  It has been in bloom for several weeks and should last for several more. 

For some background and growing information check out this article and video from Tony Avent:

HELLEBORES

Photo by C. Taylor

FIRST FEBRUARY PLANTS OF INTEREST

Our warmer weather has been a welcome change for the Arboretum.  Some winter blooming plants are still lingering and the early spring bloomers have started to appear.  Here is a sampling you will see this week at the Arboretum:

Photos by J. Kollar

WILDFLOWER GARDEN
1.  Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox)

MEMORIAL GARDEN

2.  Helebores x ericsmithii 'Shooting Star' (Lenton Rose)

PERENNIAL BORDER

3.  Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine)

4.  Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paperbush)

AG CENTER FRONT GARDEN

5.  Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia)

CERTIFIED PLANT PROFESSIONAL AREA

6.  Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)

7.  Podocarpus macrophyllus (Chinese Podocarpus)

8.  Aucuba japonica (Chinese aucuba)

9.  Daphne odora (Winter Daphne)

10. Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia)