As I’m getting ready hook up with the youth group I lead in maintaining the Butterfly Garden at the JC Raulston Arboretum, Aster calls to tell me a new black swallowtail just emerged. When they are in this stage, the photo ops are endless.
The light was to strong on the west facing sun when this photo was taken, I told Aster we need to go around back. We took the chance and cut through the house. Aster was a little skeptical at first, it the BST never left his finger.
So off to the JCRA to work the Butterfly Garden to hook up with my team: Heather, Steph and Lara Rose.
Here’s Heather making a pretty picture while working in the Butterfly Garden.
Here’s me in the muck.
Here’s me making my daughter Lara Rose mess in the muck.
All the gardens at the JC Raulston Arboretum are maintained by various groups of volunteers.
In addition to leading these girls in the maintenance of the Butterfly Garden, I also lead the Raleigh Garden Club in maintaining the Winter Garden. The Border Babes, lead by Amelia Lane for the past 12 years, meet every Wednesday to maintain the Mixed Border. Other garden leaders include:
Ann Swallow leading the Japanese Garden maintenance team
Anne Clapp leading the Rose Garden team
Barbara Kennedy leading the Roving gardeners
Bob Davis leading the Water Garden teams
Ging McCay leading the Boxwood team
Kathy Violette leading the Geophyte Garden team
Rosanna Adams leading the Lath House team
Charlie Kidder leading the Scree and Rooftop Garden teams
Sandie Zarrara leading the White Garden and Containter teams
and Sandy Reid leading the Weekend and Tuesday Evening Rovers
In some of these gardens, the word “team” is misleading since many of the gardens are a team of one. We are always looking for volunteers. If you would like to volunteer at the JCRA, please contace Barbara Kennedy at Barbara_Kennedy@NCSU.edu
Helen Yoest
Gardening With Confidence ™ 