Living creatures in the Arboretum
Photos by Lindsay J., Pitt County Arboretum Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Come Explore Our Gardens

WILDFLOWER
PERENNIAL
MIXED BORDER
HERB
WET SITE
VEGETABLE 
SMALL FRUIT
CHILDREN'S
BUTTERFLY
AND MANY MORE

  Rain Forecast

*Source: Willy Weather/National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):  Greenville Rainfall Forecast

News

May 9 Northside Plant Walk: Foliage is not just for fall:
Plants with exceptional leaf color for all seasons

We think of fall as the season where the leaves from many trees change colors. Did you know that many landscaping plants have leaves that are red, purple, orange, yellow, or variegated, during other seasons? The Friday, May 9, 2025 Northside Plant Walk through the Pitt County Arboretum will highlight some of these colorful plants. Start time is 12 noon. Meet under the green canopy next to the What's in Bloom display. Attendance is free, and we ask that you sign up so that we know how many people will be joining us.

This thematic walking tour is guided by Matt Stevens, the County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pitt County Center.

700 plants potted up for this year's Plant Sale on May 17

Potting Days are designated days when Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (Master Gardeners) come together to pot up or place divided plants into new containers, with the intent of selling them at the annual Pitt County Arboretum Plant Sale on the morning of Saturday, May 17. Potting Days take place in late winter or early spring, with EMGVs preparing seedlings grown by Carolina Seasons Nursery or taken from the Arboretum gardens. “You can see from these photos that some of our Potting Days were so cool that we had to bundle up,” says Lisa W., Leader for the 2025 Plant Sale. In total, about 700 plants were potted up.
A bevy of Extension Master Gardener Volunteers came out to help pot up seedlings at Carolina Gardens and at the Arboretum. Below left: Warmer weather at the Pitt County Arboretum made it possible for Master Gardeners to ditch their vests and jackets, don their sunglasses, and enjoy the sun while preparing new pots.

New Children's Garden exhibit from April 16 - May 21

By Vicki K., Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (EMGV)
The Children’s Whimsy Garden at the Pitt County Arboretum invites children of all ages to celebrate National Poetry Month by visiting our Poem in your Pocket display. Master Gardeners have placed colorful pocket stations throughout the Children’s Garden, and in each pocket visitors will find a poem to take home.

Enjoy watching our new plants “spring up” as you collect a pocketful of poems. This interactive display runs from April 16 to May 21. Children of all ages are welcome to explore the Children’s Garden and pick a poem.

Plant Sale takes place Sat., May 17, 2025

The wildly popular Pitt County Arboretum Plant Sale takes place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 403 Government Circle in Greenville, NC. Thousands of plants, all nurtured with care by Pitt County's Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs), will be available for sale. Master Gardeners contribute plants from their home gardens, as well as plants growing in the Arboretum. Local plant nurseries have also been generous with their contributions. Plants  include annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, shrubs, trees, grasses, herbs, sedums, and many more.

The sale begins at 9 a.m. for those who are Friends of the Arboretum, and at 10 a.m. for the public. The sale ends at 12 noon.  Payment is by cash or check.

The nonprofit 'Friends of the Arboretum' organization plays a critical role in preserving and perpetuating an important local cultural resource. Friends enjoy many benefits, including early admittance to the annual plant sale, discount ticket price for speaker events, access to our horticultural library, and discounts at local gardening shops. Call 252-902-1709 for an application.

Rooted in Flavor, Arboretum's new cookbook, to be sold at Plant Sale
By Susann C., and Vicki K., Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs)

Rooted in Flavor: Recipes and Garden Tips from the Pitt County Extension Master Gardeners, is now available for purchase from the Pitt County Extension Office. It will also be for sale at the Plant Sale on Saturday, May 17.

The long-awaited cookbook features more than three hundred recipes provided by Pitt County Extension Master Gardeners. Categories include appetizers and beverages, soups and salads, vegetables and side dishes, mains, breads and rolls, desserts, cookies and candy, and a few recipes that don’t fit into any of these categories.
 
“We started work on this project almost two years ago. It’s really been a labor of love, both on the part of the volunteers who put it together and the master gardeners who shared family recipes and personal favorites,” said Nancy S., the lead for the cookbook committee.
 
In addition to featuring hundreds of scrumptious recipes, the book provides month-by-month planting tips, recommendations for attending to houseplants, gathering seeds and equipment, deciding what to plant and where. Helpful hints include how to freeze food so it tastes fresh when thawed, removing the scent of onions from hands by using lemon juice, and using squeeze bottles for jelly and salad dressings. Popular cooking herbs are included, as well as suggestions for using them. The back of the book features cooking terms, a chart showing food quantities for different size gatherings, tricks for folding napkins, tips for baking the perfect pie, and much more.
 
“We love to garden, and we love to grow, prepare, and enjoy food. We hope this cookbook will inspire readers to grow some plants for their tables. Perhaps Rooted in Flavor will even lead readers to the Pitt County Arboretum so that they can see our demonstration gardens,” said Dell H., who contributed the planting tips.

“We have quite a few master gardeners who have volunteered for many years. Over the past two years, we’ve been able to recruit many new master gardeners to join
them. Perhaps this cookbook will encourage more home gardeners to take the training to become master gardeners,” said Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director & Horticulture Agent.
 
Rooted in Flavor is more than 200 pages long. It comes with a reinforced cover and a plastic coil binding that allows pages to lie flat for ease of reading. Individual copies are available for $20 apiece. It’s perfect for holiday giving. If you purchase 10 or more copies at a time, the charge will be discounted to $15 apiece. You may purchase copies (cash or check) by dropping into the Extension office at 403 Government Circle in Greenville, at farmers’ markets when master gardeners have displays, or by ordering copies by mail. Proceeds from cookbook sales support the gardens of the Arboretum.
DAR donates Longleaf Pine to Arboretum
By Vicki K., Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (EMGV)

A tree-planting ceremony featuring a Longleaf Pine was held on March 21 in celebration of Arbor Day, a day dedicated annually to public tree planting. The pine tree was donated by the Susanna Coutanch Evans Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This is the second DAR chapter to form in Greenville.
Matt Stevens plants the donated Longleaf pine in the Children's Garden. Photo by Vicki K.
The ceremony featured a presentation by Nell Gardner, the Chapter's Honorary Regent and Pitt County Extension Master Gardener, detailing the important history of the Longleaf Pine in North Carolina. Annette Sipe, Chapter Regent, led the audience in reciting the first verse of the official North Carolina State Toast, "Here's to the land of the Long Leaf Pine."  Pitt County Cooperative Extension Director Matt Stevens thanked the Chapter and explained the best practices for planting the tree as he put it in the ground in the Children's Garden.
What's in Bloom, 2025
May 12, 2025: Yarrow: A great choice for home gardens
May 5, 2025: Lacelike blooms bedazzle
April 27, 2025: The co-mingling of whites and brights
April 22, 2025: The cooling effect of white blooms in hot climates
April 15, 2025: Plants that appeal to the senses
April 7, 2025: A plant for every person
March 31, 2025: Decisions, decisions...
March 25, 2025: Colors pop!
March 17, 2025: Flowers hint at spring
March 10, 2025: Bright but not too bold: Eye-pleasing blooms to wake up the senses
March 3, 2025: Heralding the start of spring
New Blog: Plants for the Brown Thumb, April 22, 2025
Celebrate April-National Gardening Month!, March 25, 2025
Don't Just Buy a Beautiful Flower!, March 13, 2025
More Than Just a Pretty Landscape, February 17, 2025
Easy Houseplants for Winter Cheer, January 27, 2025
North Carolina's Christmas Tree Tradition, December 20, 2024
Signs of Winter Blooms to Come, November 26, 2024
'Dye-ing' to grow indigo plants, October 29, 2024
Don't deadhead your perennials, September 24, 2024
Is there a pond in your front yard?,  September 11, 2024
Tips on saving water at home,  August 14, 2024
Choosing wind-resistant trees for your landscape,  June 19, 2024
Vertical gardening with pallets, May 31, 2024
Controlling moss in your garden, May 14, 2024
Northside Plant Walk: Aromatic Additions for your Landscape, April 12, 2024
Northside Plant Walk: Early Spring Standouts, March 8, 2024

Appealing alternatives to problematic plants
Northside Plant Walk: Rescheduled to Thursday, April 17, from 12 noon - 1 p.m.
There are many beautiful plants that come with a 'but.' It could be for any number of reasons, including that pests love them too much, or the plants themselves may be invasive spreaders intent on asserting themselves in a garden. The April 11 Northside Plant Walk through the Pitt County Arboretum will highlight alternatives to problematic plants. Start time is 12 noon. Meet under the green canopy next to the What's in Bloom display. Attendance is free, and we ask that you sign up at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/appealing-alternatives-to-problematic-plants-tickets-1245036129579?aff=erelexpmlt  so that we know how many people will be joining us.

This thematic walking tour is guided by Matt Stevens, the County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pitt County Center.
 
Subsequent talks are scheduled as follows:
May 9, Foliage is not just for Fall: Plants with exceptional leaf color for all seasons
June 13, Weed, wildflower, or wanderer: Which one am I?
July 11, Foolproof favorites for the novice and expert gardener
August 8, Ornamental and turf grasses of note
September 12, Who's the new guy and where'd he come from
October 10, Bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers - Oh my!
November 14, Going out with a bang: Stars of the fall landscapes
 
Bring your walking shoes, take photos, ask questions, and enjoy moving around through the gardens and learning about some fantastic plants. Meet at 12 noon under the green canopy in the Arboretum, located at 403 Government Circle in Greenville, NC. We look forward to seeing you.

Children’s Garden creates StoryWalk! featuring local author’s book, Anabelle Takes a Hike
Story and photo by Vicki K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
The Children’s Garden team has created StoryWalk!, a display of story pages that lead children and their families from the Fire Hydrant garden (near the side parking lot), through the Children’s Garden, to the Master Gardener Shed.

The featured book is Anabelle Takes a Hike, by local author Mitzi Moye. This short, heartwarming story shows how a little girl learns to explore nature and be brave. At the end of the StoryWalk,! children will find a tray of souvenirs.  “We’re inviting children to choose a souvenir, put it in their pocket, and take it home with them,” says Vicki K., the Children’s Garden team leader. The StoryWalk! concept was created in 2007 by two inventive women in Montpelier, Vermont.

Photo, left: Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Carolyn E. installs page displays for the new StoryWalk! in the Arboretum. The Children's Garden has a vine-covered tunnel with two entrances, cute painted rocks, birdhouses, and a wide range of multicolored plants in different sizes, shapes, and colors, all guaranteed to delight little ones and the young in spirit. The new StoryWalk! builds on the ongoing and successful efforts of the Arboretum to make the Children's Garden a magical place for all ages to explore.

The first StoryWalk! was installed at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, which now holds a trademark on the concept and name.  StoryWalks! promote early literacy, physical activity, and family time together in nature.

Northside Walk: Rescheduled to Sep 20:
Landscape plants with medicinal value
Did you know that there are many landscape plants around us that have historical or modern medicinal value? If you'd like to know more about these plants, join Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent, at the Pitt County Arboretum on Friday, September 20  for a walking tour from 12 noon - 1 p.m.

Attendance is free but we ask that you let us know you are coming by pre-registering at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/landscape-plants-with-medicinal-value-tickets-811333549487  Join us at 12 noon under the green canopy next to the parking lot. 

Aug 9 Northside Walk: 
Rescheduled to Friday, August 16 at 12 noon
While the rain wrought by Tropical Storm Debby is giving the gardens at the Arboretum a good drenching, earlier this summer we were in a protracted drought.  Since weather extremes are the norm in Eastern North Carolina, it's a good idea to grow a variety of plants, including those that do well in dry conditions and plants that enjoy the wet.

Join us at the Pitt County Arboretum on Friday, August 16 at 12 noon for a walking tour to learn about plants that thrive in hot and dry landscape locations.  Attendance is free but we ask that you let us know you are coming by pre-registering online. Meet at 12 noon under the green canopy next to the parking lot. 

July 12 Northside Walk:
Plants that are edible and ornamental
Join Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent, at the Pitt County Arboretum on Friday, July 12 at noon for a walking tour to learn about plants that are sweet to eat and pretty to look at. Attendance is free but we ask that you let us know you are coming by pre-registering online. Meet under the green canopy next to the parking lot.

New Action Shots: See the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) up close and in action. This page gives information about how to become an EMGV and profiles our EMGVs. Click on photos to see enlarged pictures and captions.
New Column: Director's Choice:
May 8: Burweed and sandspurs: The bane of barefoot strolls through the grass
April 24: Clematis: A perennial with spectacular blooms
April 18: The Japanese Maple Tree: Prized for foliage and form
April 3: Triggering plants to bloom
March 29: The land of the Longleaf Pine
March 14: ‘Butterflies’ magnolia: one of our favorite plants
March 6: How to get amaryllis to return year after year in your landscapes
February 27: Anise shrub: The right amount of shade matters
February 21: Winter jasmine: An early-blooming shrub that hints at what’s to come
February 13: Bananas: Grow for their tropical look
January 30: Snow on my mind
January 26: Pineapple guava: Edible and exotic
January 21: The awe-inspiring Southern Live Oak
January 15: Bradford Pear tree not recommended for our landscapes
January 10: NC Fraser fir graces the White House
December 30: Christmas, Thanksgiving, & Easter cactus: How to tell them apart
December 27: Cranberries: A holiday must-have
December 12: Gingko biloba: Unique fan-shaped leaves
December 6: Dawn Redwood: Metasequoia glyptostroboides, beautiful and fascinating
November 28: Plumeria: A flowering tropical tree stored indoors for the winter
November 21: Spooky plants in the botanical world
November 10: Sassafras: An important native plant food source
November 4: Tricyrtis hirta (Toad Lily): Shade-loving perennial with fantastic flowers
October 29: Lespedeza (Bush Clover): Uncommon, unkempt, and a unique choice
October 22: Protect your plants from the cold nights
October 20: Asters: A welcome sight in fall gardens
October 8, 2024: Goldenrod: An unfairly maligned, fall-blooming, native perennial
October 2, 2024: Chrysanthemums: The shining star of fall landscapes
September 12, 2024: Introducing the Carolina Silverbell
September 7, 2024: Pumpkin season is here
September 2, 2024: Mushrooms that pop up on lawns
August 21: Gardening Tips: Controlling Boxwood Leafminer and other boxwood problems
August 15, 2024: Too much rain causes complications in gardens and landscapes
August 8, 2024: Gardening tips: Growing, Harvesting, and Enjoying Watermelons
July 31, 2024: Reliable Crinums
July 24, 2024: Peaches: A favorite summer fruit
June 27, 2024: The importance of pollinators
June 20, 2024, Eye-catching Black-eyed Susans
June 10, 2024, Blueberries: Delicious and easy to grow
May 31, The majesty of sunflowers
May 23, Hot, hot hot: Measuring spiciness in peppers
May 17, Rain Lilies: Diminutive, with dazzling petals
May 10, Stoke's Aster: An almost-perfect perennial
May 2, Figs: Unique among fruits grown in NC
April 26, Honeysuckle: Fragrant and scented
April 17, Grow your own strawberries
April 12, Wisteria: How to grow these vines without the drama

Plant Swap at the Pitt County Arboretum
Pitt County’s Extension Master Gardener volunteers hosted a Plant Swap on June 8 beginning at 403 Government Circle in Greenville, NC, providing participants with an opportunity to share plants with their fellow gardeners.
 
Gardeners were invited to bring up to five healthy plants (or gardening tools, planters, etc.) to trade.

June 14: Container Garden Plants that Make a Splash
Container garden plants typically include thrillers, fillers, and spillers. Find out more about plants that can play these roles during the Northside Walking Tour on Friday, June 14 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. led by Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent. Attendance is free but participants are asked to let us know they’re coming by preregistering online.

The thrill of the hunt: Buyers find coveted plants and reconnect with friendly Master Gardeners at the Plant Sale
Story by Susann C., Photos by Liz B.-P., Pitt County Arboretum Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
They began lining up more than an hour before the May 18, 2024 Pitt County Arboretum Plant Sale was scheduled to start. By 9 a.m., when the gates opened for ‘Friends of the Arboretum’ to gain early access to the plants on sale, more than 100 ‘Friends’ were ready to begin their quest for the perfect plant.

Picture

Friends of the Arboretum line up early so that they can search out unique plants.
Greenville residents Carolyn and Bill say they have been coming to the Plant Sale since it started. “We make a mad dash to see if we can be first.” They note that while there are many, many plants for sale, sometimes there are unique plants with only one specimen. Rosalie, also a Greenville resident, says that she enjoys the thrill of trying to arrive to be first in line. “It’s just fun, getting here first. It’s a friendly competition.”
 
For Julie, an avid gardener from Washington, NC, the Plant Sale represents an opportunity to buy high-quality shade plants at very affordable prices. She’s been coming to the Plant Sale for three years, and always leaves with more than she planned to buy.
 
Winterville natives Amy and Brandon are restoring a 25-acre property by planting as many native plants as they can find. They see the Arboretum’s Plant Sale as an opportunity to purchase lots of native plants, as well as a few annuals to provide pops of color for close to the house.
 
Asked if she was protecting the ceramic pots because she was eyeing them closely and wearing a uniform, Liz, a Deputy Sheriff with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, pointed out that the Arboretum is included in the area where she works. For her, planting is fun. She grows pretty flowers and catgrass, and was very happy to snag a large ceramic pot for sale.
Top: Making connections while seeking and selecting plants. Left: Master Gardener volunteers preparing to give
away gardening publications, provide information, and sell handmade pottery. Above: Master Gardener volunteers share space under an umbrella to stay dry.
A new group of Master Gardener volunteers completed their coursework last November. Many were on hand to help with the Plant Sale. By doing so, some completed their volunteering requirements, becoming full-fledged Master Gardeners. Several explained why they became Master Gardeners. “I have an experimental garden where I try to grow plants. I had a total lack of knowledge about gardening before taking the course. Now I am learning everything I can about plants and have a strong interest in native plants. I learned a lot during the course and continue to learn while volunteering here,” said C.
 
For V. and J., becoming Master Gardeners enabled them to build on existing knowledge and positioned them to be able to teach others how to garden, how to care for their plants, and have the confidence to grow their own gardens. “It’s also fun to meet other people who are interested in gardening. When I walked around the Arboretum yesterday, I was overwhelmed and very excited by the large variety of things to see. We’re lucky to get to be volunteers here because we make plants grow and we get to see them as they change from season to season.”
Getting ready to help buyers.
Lucie, from Washington, came to the Plant Sale for the first time, in search of a Sweet Betsy for her husband. “It was great to see the wide variety of plants,” she said. “The only thing I’d change is find a way to shorten the long checkout line and have more carts. I was very lucky to have this young man, Bob, a Master Gardener, hold my plants for me while I was in the line. We had a fine conversation and I feel I made a new friend.”
 
She wasn’t the only one who felt that way. “Of course, I come to the Plant Sale because there are so many plants to choose from, and the prices are very reasonable,” said Donna, from Winterville. “But what brings me back year after year is the joy I see on people’s faces. The Master Gardeners are proud of their Plant Sale, and rightly so. They’ll help you find the perfect plants and they’ll share tips about choosing the right location and giving just the right amount of water. I always end up buying more plants than I planned, and making new friends who share a common interest in gardening. It doesn’t get better than that.”
New, fresh, fun exhibits in the Children's Whimsy Garden
Story and photos by Vicki K. Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

This spring, the Children’s Whimsy Garden here at the Arboretum is blossoming with fresh, fun exhibits. A center sculpture shaped like a blue flower spins in the breeze, while cleverly crafted mushrooms line the path next to the vine tunnel. Inside the hedge you’ll find both natural and fantasy ‘wild’ life, including a butterfly with wings made from flowers.
Come visit this special garden where kids of all ages can spark their senses, watch for “wild” life, and wonder at words. Brochure guides are available inside the mailbox by the arbor entrance.

Thanks to Carolyn Edwards, Christie Hill, and Rebecca Briley, Children’s Whimsy Garden Master Interns, for their invaluable help in updating the garden.
The Children's Whimsy Garden has new additions. Above is a kinetic sculpture, top right is a crop of colorful mushrooms and bottom right is a new butterfly garden.

May 10, 2024 Northside Walk explores history
Wondering about the tree used in Pitt County Arboretum's logo? Join Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director & Horticulture Agent, for the May 10 Northside Walk to learn about this tree and other plants of historic or cultural significance.  The walk takes place this Friday from 12 noon - 1 p.m., starting under the green canopy at the Pitt County Arboretum. Attendance is free but please let us know you are coming by pre-registering.

Get ready for the Arboretum's Plant Sale May 18
On Saturday, May 18, the Pitt County Master Gardeners will host their annual Plant Sale at the Arboretum. There will be thousands of selections to choose from - annuals, perennials, ground covers, shrubs, trees, vines, herbs, vegetables, and many more plants.

The above photo shows buyers at the 2023 Arboretum Plant Sale. This year's Plant Sale will be even better!

Master Gardeners participate in Earth Day
Pitt County Master Gardeners hosted a “Wonder of Seeds” exhibit at the April 20th Earth Day celebration held at A Time for Science/NC Museum of Natural Science Grifton campus. Thanks to Vicki K., Carolyn E., Kathleen D., and Fred B. for staffing the exhibit and representing the Pitt County Arboretum at this event. Photo, below: VIcki K. and Carolyn E. staff the exhibit.

Northside Plant Walk explores aromatic additions to the landscape

About 35 home gardeners joined Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director & Horticulture Agent, for a walking tour through the Arboretum on Friday, April 12 to stop and sniff plant leaves and flowers. We discovered that we all smell things differently. For example, we agreed that Mock Orange (Philadelphus coroarius) had a sweet scent. Some of us smelled mint while others smelled licorice while stopping at the fast-growing Anise (Illicum) tree. While we weren't able to agree on the scent emanating from every plant, everyone came away from the noon-hour walk entranced by the sometimes subtle and sometimes overpowering scents of plants in the different gardens making up the Arboretum.

Mark May 10 in your calendar for the next talk, Plants with historic or cultural significance.  This Northside Plant Walk takes place Friday, May 10 from 12 noon - 1 p.m. at the Pitt County Arboretum. There is no cost, but it's helpful for us if you preregister so that we can make sure we have handouts for everyone. Register through Eventbrite. See you under the Green Canopy.

Master Gardeners prepare 600 pots for the May 18
Plant Sale

By Vicki K., Master Gardener
Master Gardeners enjoyed the warmer temps on March 13 and 23, taking cuttings from around the Arboretum and potting up more than 600 new plants for the Arboretum’s upcoming Plant Sale.

These and many other plants will be available for purchase on Saturday, May 18 at the Arboretum. A special preview sale hour from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. is set aside for Friends of the Arboretum. You can purchase a Friends membership at the Cooperative Extension office or on the day of the sale. All members of the public are welcome to shop from 10 a. m. – noon.

This is the Master Gardeners’ largest fundraiser of the year and benefits the Pitt County Arboretum and its programs.
Master Gardeners examine plants pulled from the gardens and transplant the cuttings into pots.
Plants that are dug up from the garden are sorted and potted.
The newly potted plants are labeled and set in a protected area.

2024 Northside Plant Walks begin on March 8

Twelve noon on Friday, March 8 marks the first of nine Northside Plant Walks at the Pitt County Arboretum. There are signs of spring evident everywhere, and this talk focuses on early spring garden standouts. Matt Stevens, the Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent, designed the walks as a way to tour the Arboretum in a unique way with each visit. Each plant walk has a different theme and a new group of plants, making each talk a totally new experience. More than 130 garden enthusiasts joined Matt for the Plant Walks in 2023, with many attending multiple talks.

Talks take place from noon to 1 p.m., starting under the green canopy.  Everyone is welcome.

Yellow Garden Spiders’ Egg Sacs Spotted

Story and photo by Vicki K., Pitt County Master Gardener
In a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way, Yellow Garden Spiders’ orbs or egg sacs have been spotted hanging from the purple birdhouse in the Pitt County Arboretum’s Children’s Whimsy Garden, reports Vicki K., an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer and Curator of this garden.
Yellow Garden spiders have made three egg sacs on the purple birdhouse in the Children’s Whimsy Garden.
Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope Aurantia)
(photo: iStock GarysFRP)
Two or three of these common spiders make their home in the Children’s Whimsy Garden each summer. They make large webs with a prominent zig-zag silk woven near the center.

Spiders are an often misunderstood group of animals that are actually beneficial. They eat pests that would otherwise be attacking your garden and yard, such as aphids, grasshoppers, caterpillars, thrips, and more. Because spiders aren’t picky about what types of insects they consume, they may eat bugs that are actually there to
help pollinate your plants. Despite this, it is best to leave them alone because they eat far more nuisance insects than helpful ones. In addition, spiders themselves act as a source of food for birds that are also likely to help get rid of pests.

The Children’s Garden team invites budding young scientists, wildlife enthusiasts, and gardeners to visit the garden as the weather warms.

New Display under the Green Canopy

"Plants in our Gardens," a new poster highlighting plants grown in the Arboretum, is on display under the green canopy. The display features photographs of plants in bloom in different gardens, as well as striking photos of the leaves from Farfugium japonicum - the Leopard Plant,  and Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegatum' - Striped Solomon’s Seal. Photos were selected by a team composed of master gardeners who contributed photographs (Susann Camus, Cindy Christian, Joanne Kollar, and Teresa Surratt), as well as Matt Stevens, the Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent.

EMGVs pot up 425 plants at Carolina Seasons Nursery in preparation for the Pitt County Arboretum’s Annual Plant Sale on May 18

Story by Knox C. and Susann C., Pitt County EMGVs
Photos by Knox C.
March 21 hasn’t arrived yet, but warmer days make it feel as if spring is in the air. Preparations for Pitt County’s annual Plant Sale, scheduled for May 18, 2024, are well underway. On February 9, a team of seven Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) led by Knox C. potted up more than 425 plants at Carolina Seasons Nursery. Team members included Fred B., Debbie V., Blythe T., Nancy S., Lorena P., Wendy P., and Knox C. Between now and May 20, these cuttings will grow into large, sturdy plants that can take pride of place in the front and back yards of Pitt County residents.
Fred, Debbie, and Blythe remove plants from pots, divide and plant them in smaller pots while Andrea looks on.
Fred, Debbie, and Nancy continue dividing and potting plants while Lorena adds labels.
The team walked through a greenhouse with Andrea Pike, co-owner of Carolina Seasons Nursery. “Andrea suggested plants that do well in our area and cover a variety of growing conditions that people might find in their yards,” said Knox. The selections include native plants such as Stokes Asters with their large lavender blooms, and vibrant yellow Fireworks Goldenrod. Additional plants include Ginger Lilies, Tinkerbell Lily of the Nile, White Rain Lilies, Society Garlic, Blue Star Creeper, Coreopsis Single Gold Giants, Jacob Cline Bee Balm, White African Irises, Pincushion Flowers, Purple Showers Mexican Petunias, Sweet Kate Spiderwort, and Flamenco Red Hot Pokers.
Wendy gives the transplanted plants a good watering, while Andrea and Knox look on.
Thanks to Andrea Pike and Carolina Seasons Nursery for donating these plants for the Plant Sale. In addition to providing plants for potting up, the Nursery gives Friends of the Arboretum and Pitt County master gardeners a discount when they purchase plants for their own home gardens.

Carolina Seasons Nursery is located at 549 NC-903 N in Greenville. Andrea and her crew are always willing to help you find your plant or answer your questions about plants that flourish in Eastern North Carolina.
EMGVs produce mini-guide and video on growing vegetables
Story by Susann C., Pitt County EMGV

Pitt County EMGVs have published a short, illustrated mini-guide for home gardeners interested in setting up a vegetable garden in their backyards. Building a Home Vegetable Garden One Step at a Time covers key steps to growing vegetables, including what to consider when selecting a site, water sources, soil tests, and what to grow. Using companion plants and staggering planting are also included as topics.

The mini-guide stems from a grant provided to the Vegetable Garden from the statewide gardening organization. “We were fortunate to be given $500 to go towards rebuilding the Vegetable Garden,” explains EMGV Susann C., who prepared the grant application and drafted the mini-guide. Susann was assisted by fellow master gardener Bob C., members of the Pitt County Demonstration Vegetable Garden team – Alta A., Dell E., Tommy McD., and Diane S., as well as Matt S., the Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent.

The project had to include an educational component. In response, Susann prepared a mini-guide to growing a home vegetable garden. “The goal was to make a short, illustrated, non-technical guide for the beginner gardener. We hope the guide inspires people who enjoy fresh vegetables to build their own backyard garden,” she says. Additional resources for starting a vegetable garden are also provided at the end of the mini-guide.

The mini-guide is accompanied by a 5-minute video produced and narrated by Bob C. Both the mini-guide and video are posted on the website.

Guide at https://www.pittcountyarboretum.com/blog and at https://www.pittcountyarboretum.com/guides.html
Video at https://www.pittcountyarboretum.com/videos.html

Marie Mims Butler, Pitt County Master Gardeners' January Speaker, informative and hilarious

Story and photos by Vicki K., Pitt County EMGV
Garden enthusiasts and nature lovers gathered at the Pitt County Agriculture Building Mark Owens Auditorium on Saturday, January 27 to hear Marie Mims Butler speak on gardening challenges. Marie, the former Landscape Coordinator for the Virginia Zoo, mixed humor and practical advice in her talk, "I have elephants in my garden, so what is your problem?"

This was the 13th and final January Speaker Event organized by Pitt County's Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.

Many thanks to Master Gardeners Rosanna Davis, Joanne Kollar, and Susan Purcell, who have organized this program for many years. Thanks, as well, to EMGVs over the years who have contributed refreshments, collected tickets, and helped with set-up. The Arboretum thanks Carolina Seasons Nursery, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Quality Equipment, organizations that have sponsored the event.
Thanks also to Friends of the Arboretum for showing their support.

The annual January event has been a major fundraiser and outreach effort for the Arboretum, attracting hundreds of guests.

The January Speaker Event has brought some of the region and nation's top gardening experts to Greenville to share their knowledge and experience. These include: Pearl Fryer (2011), Felder Rushing (2012), Nancy Hugo (2013), Paul James (2014), Peter Hatch (2015), Bryce Lane (2016), Tony Avent (2017), Brie Author (2018), Mark Weathington (2019), Linda Chalker Scott (2020), (COVID-19, no talk in 2021), Frank Hyman (2022), Pam Beck (2023) and Marie Mims Butler (2024).

Next year, the Master Gardeners plan to host a symposium featuring several speakers.
Left to right:  Susan Purcell, Rosanne Davis, Joanne Kollar, Pitt County EMGVs and event organizers; Marie Mims Butler, guest presenter; and Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023

Story by Susann C. and Matt S.; photo by Matt S.
Congratulations to students who graduated from Pitt County’s Extension Master Gardener class in late November 2023. Of the 37 students who enrolled, 35 completed the course. “I am very satisfied with the number and caliber of students who completed the class,” says Matt Stevens, Pitt County’s Extension Director and Horticulture Agent. Matt also designed and instructed the in-person course.

Each of the 35 students will complete a 40 volunteer hour internship under the guidance of a Master Gardener mentor in order to become a certified Master Gardener volunteer.

“We offered the course in the evenings in an effort to attract younger gardeners still in the work force. The graduates have already started making their contributions to the Arboretum by posting photos and short write-ups on social media, contributing to the website, making preparations for a cookbook, and helping out with weeding and general maintenance on workdays,” says Matt.

Announcing the Welcome Garden

Story by Lisa W. and Judy P., photos by Susann C., Pitt County Extension County Master Gardener Volunteers
Some refer to it as the ‘front garden,’ ‘building-entrance garden,’ and ‘Ag Center Garden.’ In 2023, this garden experienced a reawakening in the hands of its two co-curators, Lisa W. and Judy P., both master gardeners at the Pitt County Arboretum. The garden is now formally named ‘The Welcome Garden.’

Beautiful large containers filled with succulents, grasses, tall twigs and flowering plants front the round columns leading to the Agricultural Center’s entrance.
Entrance to the Agricultural Center.
The co-curators water one of the large containers leading up to the building entrance.
The two curators added dozens of shrubs and low-growing plants, including Cryptomeria japonica (Globosa Nana), Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Prostrate Plum Yew), Buddleia davidii  ‘Pugster Blue,’ Spirea japonica ‘Double Play Candy Corn,’ Spirea japonica ‘Gold Mound,’ Continus coggygria (‘Winecraft Black’ Smokebush), Ligustrum sinese ‘Sunshine’ and Cornus serica (‘Arctic Fire’ Red Twig Dogwood).
 
The plants bloom at different times, providing notes of interest throughout the year.
Judy and Lisa check to see if the bed of Chrysanthemum rubellum ‘Hillside Sheffield Pink’ needs watering.

500 people visit The Haunted Forest

Story and photos by Bob C., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
Once a year, when a blood moon rises on all hallow's eve, a haunted forest appears in the mist.  It's filled with goblins, ghosts, witches, vampires and graveyards. On October 31, more than 500 spectators visted the Arboretum's haunted forest, enjoying a spooktacular walk through this enchanted woods. 
Pitt County Master Gardener Volunteers created family fun along the Walking Garden of the Pitt County Arboretum.
Ghosts rise from the graveyard to party all night by the witch's caldron.
Be careful near the haunted trees. Spiders have spun their webs to catch the unwary.

Northside Plant Walks increase knowledge of plant selection knowledge for home landscapes and
native plant species

Story by Susann C. and Matt S., photo by Cindy C.
Between April and October, more than 130 garden enthusiasts participated in the seven Northside Plant Walks organized and guided by Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director & Horticulture Agent. Most participants came from Pitt County, while some drove from neighboring counties such as Beaufort, Bertie, and Martin. One-third of participants attended two or more plant walks.
“I designed the Northside Plant Walks as a way to tour the Arboretum in a unique way with each visit. Rather than a stock tour that would be identical for every group, each monthly plant walk had a different theme and a new group of plants, making each one a totally new experience,” says Matt.
 
“Many attendees came for multiple walks.  In choosing the themes and the plants discussed, my goals were to introduce the attendees to plants that they were not already familiar with and also teach them something new about those plants that they did know.  With more knowledge about what plants are best suited for certain landscape design styles and environmental conditions, gardeners can make better selections about the plants they choose for their landscapes,” he explains.
 
Participants were asked to complete a survey about their experiences. Eighty-five percent said the tours helped improve their knowledge about selecting appropriate plants for their home landscapes, while seventy-seven percent said they increased their knowledge about native plant species in particular.  As a result, more than half of attendees said they had made or would make changes to their plant selection habits and increase their use of native plants due to the plant-walk series.  Additional impacts of the series included an increase in knowledge of pest management and pruning strategies.
The talks were free, but some participants offered volunteer donations. “There’s a lock box on a side post near the plant racks. When we opened the lock box a few months ago, we discovered a treasure trove of coins, bills, soil, and seeds. Northside Plant Walks are free and provided as a community service. That said, all contributions are welcome and will be used to enhance the Arboretum,” says the director. Buoyed by the popularity of this year’s inaugural walks, Matt plans to offer more unique Northside Plant Walks in 2024.

Registration opens for Wreath Making Workshop

The always-popular annual Wreath Making Workshop has been scheduled for Monday, December 11 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at the Pitt County Agricultural Center. With guidance from Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, participants will have the opportunity to create their one-of-a-kind wreath using a variety of greens and berries from the Arboretum’s shrubs and trees.
 
Cost of the workshop is $20 per person. To sign up and pay for your spot, call 252-902-1709. The workshop is limited to the first 24 people who call and pay in full.

Pollinators fly high at Pitt County Arboretum

By Susann C. and Vicki K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Insects that transfer pollen from plant to plant are called pollinators. These include butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies, lacewings, carpenter bees, honey bees, and bumble bees, among others. Pollinators play a vital role in gardening and agriculture. Pitt County Master Gardeners helped count pollinators during the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on
August 19 at the Arboretum. The count lasted for 15 minutes. "The pollinators were everywhere! We counted butterflies, huge bumble bees, tiny neon bees, a giant grasshopper," reports Pitt County master gardener Vicki K., also one of the local event's organizers.
Pitt County master gardener Wendy Pittman records census data while observing insects on a lantana bush (Lantana camara) in full bloom.
Counts from the census were reported to the overall event coordinators at North Carolina State University and the University of Georgia. The census was open to residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The purpose of the census was to increase sustainable pollinator habitat, strengthen our knowledge of pollinators, and generate useful data about pollinator populations.

Plants that star in the shade
By Cindy C. and Susann C., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Magnificent hydrangeas, evergreen shrubs with green and gold foliage, evergreen ferns with glossy, holly-like foliage, and low-growing groundcovers or vines, and several perennials, including Coral Bells, Lenten rose, and Foxglove – these are among the many shade-loving plants on display at the Pitt County Arboretum.
H. macrophylla -  Mophead Hydrangea
Berberis bealei  - Leatherleaf Mahonia 
Director Matt Stevens leads the Northside Plant Walk
During last Friday’s Northside Plant Walk, Pitt County Extension and Arboretum Director Matt Stevens led a group of gardeners on a tour, starting on the Walking Trail and ending at the Wet Sites Garden. He highlighted a dozen plants that star in the shade, differentiating between different types of hydrangeas and when to prune them. He also explained how flower color for the Mophead Hydrangea is determined by soil pH. He identified shade-loving plants that bloom in the winter, plants that have beautiful fall foliage, flower in the fall, and fruit during the winter.

Matt provided handouts listing plants and containing QR codes so that gardeners could easily obtain more information on plants of interest to them.
This was the fifth in seven scheduled Northside Plant Walks. The next talk is scheduled for September 8 and focuses on noteworthy North Carolina native plants. The final plant walk in the series, on fall foliage, takes place October 13. Talks are from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Arboretum at 403 Government Circle. The talks present an opportunity to learn about plants while getting your daily steps.
 
While the talks and tours are free, those planning to attend are asked to register by clicking on the links on the following web page Pitt County Northside Plant Walk.

Be an insect census-taker on Aug 19

By Matt Stevens, Pitt County Horticulture Agent
The Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers invite you to take part in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census at the Pitt County Arboretum. This local event is part of a regional citizen science project spearheaded by the University of Georgia and aims to help in conservation of insects that pollinate our plants. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, August 19. Horticulture Agent Matt Stevens will share a brief explanation about the goals of this project and provide directions for how to track insect activity with the materials provided.
 
Our Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will steer you towards favorite pollinator plants within the Arboretum. The observation process takes only 15 minutes, though participants could observe more than one plant if they so desire.  When finished observing, turn in your tracking sheets and take a stroll around the Arboretum to see what else catches your eye!
 
The Pitt County Arboretum is located at 403 Government Circle in Greenville. If you’d like to participate in the census, join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 19. We hope to see you there!

Gardens delight the senses

By Vicki K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (EMGV)
Pitt County children and their families in the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children touring the Pitt County Arboretum on June 20 were delighted to plant a sunflower and walk through the Arboretum. “The kids really enjoyed the wildflower garden, the herb garden, and the children’s garden. They were fascinated by the different plant textures and the wonderful aromas we got when we crushed some leaves,” says Vicki K., EMGV and tour guide. The kids and their families saw many interesting insects, and the parents who accompanied them were delighted to discovery all the sensory enjoyment that the Arboretum gardens offer.
Extension master gardener volunteers (EMGVs) offers free, guided walking tours for those who would like to know more about the different gardens. Tours can be scheduled by calling 252-902-1709.
 
Photos by Yanett Moran, Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children

Master Gardeners grow success at 2023 Plant Sale

Story by Vicki K., Pitt County EMGV
The May 20 Spring Plant Sale hosted by Pitt County Master Gardener Volunteers brought hundreds of visitors to the Arboretum at 403 Government Circle in Greenville. A line formed before the 9 a.m. pre-sale for Friends of the Arboretum, and early shoppers eagerly filled their wagons and wheelbarrows with plants.
Local gardeners chose from over 3,500 trees, shrubs, roses, perennial flowers, annuals, vegetables, and houseplants. Most selections had been potted up from the Pitt County Arboretum gardens or from Master Gardeners’ own yards. Additional plants were donated by Carolina Seasons, Plant and See, and both Greenville Lowe’s stores. 

Local students in 4-H volunteered, loading plants into shoppers’ cars. Plant Sale chair Teresa S. reported that the event was a great success in raising funds to support the Arboretum and the work of the Master Gardeners.
Master Gardener Wendy P. prepares the herb tables at the start of the May 20th Spring Plant Sale held at the Pitt County Arboretum.
Home gardeners are happy with their purchases
Picking out their perennials
More photos can be found on the Support/Plant Sale web page.
The Northside Plant Walks utilize the Arboretum and the Northside Walking Trail to tell a unique story about our plants with each tour. Details of this new program may be found on this link.
Showing Up for Arboretum Spring blooms
By Vicki K., Pitt County EMGV
Fifteen plant lovers followed Pitt County Cooperative Extension Director and Horticulture Agent Matt Stevens on his inaugural Northside Plant Walks  tour through the Pitt County Arboretum on Friday, April 14th.  This first tour focused on Showy Spring Bloomers, featuring the bright displays of twelve blossoming plants. 
A mass of “Firewitch” dianthus was the bright starting point of Cooperative Extension Director Matt Stevens’ recent “Northside Plant Walk.”  Stevens explained the plant’s characteristics to tour participants.
Stevens discussed the habits and benefits of attractive ground covers like ‘Firewitch’ dianthus and myrtle spurge euphorbia and shrubs like Chinese snowball viburnum and mockorange.
Tour participants asked lots of questions: When do you plant it?  Will deer eat it?  Does it attract wildlife? To provide more in-depth information, Stevens provided a handout with QR codes that linked each plant to the online NC State Plant Toolbox. 
Walking to the iris and spiderwort displays near the rain garden, tour goers passed the holding area where Pitt County Master Gardeners are nurturing selections for their annual Spring Plant Sale.  The event is scheduled for
Saturday, May 20th from 9 a.m. until noon and will feature plants propagated from both the Arboretum collection and from Master Gardeners’ own yards.
Maggie K. used the QR code to find out more about spring bloomer Chinese snowball viburnum in the Arboretum’s CPP Plant Collection
Angela W., who works at the Pitt County Health Department, attended the tour when she saw it advertised to Pitt County employees via email. For her, it provided a healthy and invigorating lunch hour.  “I’m fairly new to gardening, and I learned a lot,” she said.  “I’ll definitely recommend this to friends.  Some people think gardening is just for older folks.  The younger ones should come out and try it, too.”
Matt Stevens will lead monthly “Northside Plant Walks” on the second Friday of each month from noon until 1 p.m. The May 12th tour will focus on Hidden Landscape Gems. More information about this lunchtime learning opportunity, as well as the upcoming Pitt County Arboretum’s Plant Sale, can be found at the Pitt County Arboretum’s website.  
North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a statewide organization that provides educational programming focused on agriculture, food, and youth development, with offices in each county.  The Extension Master Gardener program is a volunteer program that supports Extension’s educational efforts in consumer horticulture.
More than 700 plants potted for Plant Sale May 20
Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) have potted more than 700 plants in preparation for this year’s annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 20. The plants range from small perennials to larger shrubs. These pots are in addition to the plants master gardeners are growing in their own yards, to donate to the plant sale.

The photos show  volunteer master gardeners potting the plants, and some of the plants that were potted.
Pitt County Arboretum Plant Sale preparation well underway as EMGVs propagate plants at Carolina Seasons Nursery
Story by Susann C., Photos by Knox C.
Judy P., Joanne K. and Eulalia W. survey the pots they have planted.
It's a sure sign that preparations for the Pitt County Arboretum’s annual Plant Sale on May 20, 2023 are well underway. On February 15, a team of Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) led by Knox C. potted up dozens of plants at Carolina Seasons Nursery. Over the next three months, the delicate cuttings will grow into much larger and sturdier plants ready to take their place in gardens and front- and backyards across Pitt County.

“It was a beautiful day to be outside!” said Knox. The propagated plants are a mix of herbaceous perennials, including Sedges and a few herbs, such as Woolly Thyme, Edible Ginger, and Mountain Mint. Additional plants that were propagated include White African Irises, Cast Iron Plants, Bee Balm, Stoke’s Asters, Ice Plants, Goldenrod, and White Rain Lilies.
Thanks to Andrea Pike and Carolina Seasons Nursery for donating plants for the Plant Sale. Carolina Seasons and the Pitt County Arboretum have a longstanding relationship. In addition to providing plants for propagation, the nursery gives Friends of the Arboretum a discount when they purchase plants for their own home gardens. Carolina Seasons Nursery is located at 549 NC-903 N in Greenville.
Martha D., Eulalia W., and Andrea Pike next to a table covered with small plants.
Pam Beck enchants listeners at January 28 talk on public and private gardens in North Carolina
Noted gardener Pam Beck enchanted the eighty or so audience members at her  talk on North Carolina’s public and private gardens at the Pitt County Arboretum on January 28. Listeners were spellbound by Pam's intimate knowledge of gardens, gardeners, and plant nurseries.
   The stories, seamlessly narrated and woven from one corner of the state to the other, gave us glimpses into many gardens and gardeners who have broadened the horticultural horizons of North Carolinians.
   The vignettes were accompanied by photos of people in their gardens.
   For example, Charlotte Gantz was a 100-year-old garden curator who continued to garden by directly instructing willing helpers to prune or weed when she was no longer able to crouch on her knees.
   We heard about a couple of professional gardeners who are so busy and passionate propagating plants that they sometimes forget to open their garden center – but will happily do so when asked.
   We were privileged to see photos of a historical cemetery in Tarborough where people used to bring bunches of flowers and plant shrubs to celebrate with their departed loved ones.
   In addition to giving us a guided tour of many well-known and not-so-well-known gardens, Pam provided audience members with a handout listing gardens and garden centers referenced in her talk.
   Thanks to the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) for organizing this delightful presentation at the Pitt County Arboretum.
    - By Susann C., Pitt County Arboretum EMGV

Find Us. Visit. Learn More.

403 Government Circle
Greenville, North Carolina 27834
MAIN: (252) 902-1700
FAX: (252) 757-1456
[email protected]
​Matthew Stevens
County Extension Director, Horticulture Agent
NC Cooperative Extension-  Pitt County Center