Southeast Region – open to all members and non-members
Friday through Sunday, April 11–13, 2025
Raleigh, North Carolina
Join us in Raleigh, North Carolina to enjoy the fresh spring leaves of maples in the Southeast!
Our weekend will include a tour of the Japanese maples at the JC Raulston Arboretum, two excellent nurseries near Raleigh, and several private garden tours. Group activities will take place Friday through Sunday, but you may want to extend your trip to take in some of the other horticultural sites in the area.
Our Itinerary:
We'll gather Thursday evening in the Brier Creek Commons area of Raleigh for dinner at a local restaurant (self-pay).
Friday April 11:
9:00 am – Noon: JC Raulston Arboretum
It is said that wherever you stand in The JC Raulston Arboretum, you can see a Japanese maple. The JCRA houses one of the best collections of Japanese maples in the Southeast. We will tour a sampling of this collection and also allow time to wander through the remainder of the arboretum.
12:30 – 3:30 pm: State Farmers Market
The State Farmers Market in Raleigh is where farmers bring fresh produce, nurseries bring plants, and craftsmen bring their wares to sell. We will enjoy lunch (self-pay) at the Farmers Market Restaurant and have time to look through the vendor offerings.
4:00 pm – evening: Private Garden
Enjoy a suburban woodland garden with a collection of 250 maples as you gather with your fellow maple lovers for conversation and refreshment. Dinner will be provided.
Saturday April 12:
9:00 am – 11:00 am: Garden Treasures, Wendell
Many maples enjoy dappled shade in the southeast, and this excellent local nursery specializes in shade loving plants. A visit here may turn up a desired maple, a great companion plant, or another unique find.
11:30 am – 1:45 pm: Private Garden
Along with her interest in maples, this plantswoman is also a member of The Magnolia Society. You will enjoy a diverse offering throughout her property, where lunch will be provided.
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Private Garden
This garden is set amidst a natural beech grove with high bluffs overlooking a local creek. Along with collecting named cultivars, the plantsman here grows many Japanese maples from seed.
Sunday April 13:
10:00 am – Noon: Get Rooted Nursery, Chapel Hill
The owner of this nursery, located on the outskirts of Chapel Hill, has a passion for Japanese maples. The hundreds in stock present a wide choice of cultivars and sizes at fair prices.
Afternoon
NC Botanical Garden and Duke Gardens are both located on the way back to the Raleigh area, and those staying through Sunday evening may wish to stop in at either of these, or travel to other horticultural interest points in the area. Further information on such options will be provided.
Registration is Required:
Members, you'll need to be logged in.
Non-Members, remove the "X" where it asks you to log in with a user name and password.
Recommended Accommodations:
Hampton Inn and Suites at Brier Creek has a complimentary block of rooms on hold for us until March 13. Rooms are $149 per night, which is refundable should your plans change. This hotel is one half mile to the shops and restaurants of Brier Creek Commons. To access our block, you may call the front desk directly at (919) 484-0500 and request a room under the Maple Society of North America, Southeast Region. Alternatively, you may reserve a room online via the booking link below:
Contact for Questions:
Lynn Swanson at lynnswanson75@gmail.com
Cheryl Kearns at cherylkearns513@gmail.com