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Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.

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Thursday, August 15, 2024
Garden Tours
Aug 15 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Falls Park

GARDEN TOURS

Landscape architect Andrea Mains of Washington, D.C., has designed the park to feature a collection of “garden rooms,” offering a spectacular display of seasonal color and artistic garden design.

Interested groups can enjoy a Garden Tour with the Falls Park manager. Tours last an hour and incorporate the horticulture and history of Falls Park. Cost is $50 for a group of 30 or less. Garden tours are available from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Friday.

To arrange a garden tour

Greenville State Farmers Market
Aug 15 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville State Farmers Market

Admission and parking are free

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

From its beginning as a tailgate produce market along the Court Street curbside in the heart of downtown, the Greenville Farmers Market has been an integral part of the community. When the need for more space and better facilities was recognized, the Greenville County Marketing Commission helped relocate the market to its present location on June 1, 1949. The Greenville Market continued to operate under the oversight of the Greenville County Marketing Commission until 1980 when by mutual agreement, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture assumed operations of the facility. After selling part of the market property in 2017, the Greenville State Farmers market now operates solely as a retail market on approximately 4 acres and continues its proud heritage of service to the Piedmont region of South Carolina.

The retail market includes a major produce vendor and horticultural vendor year-round. Market operations continue daily, ceasing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Retail hours are 8 am through 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sunday.

Small Vendor Saturdays operates from April through December and consists of local farmers and vendors who rent tables in the daily sales area to offer their products.

A privately-owned restaurant is also located onsite.

The market also sponsors two festivals each year:

Piedmont Plant & Flower Festival  |  April/May

  • Gardening plants from across the state, gardening advice clinics
  • Aquaculture products (koi fish and pond items)
  • Natural soil additives and worm castings
  • Lawn & garden accessories (yard ornaments, garden tools, etc.)

AutumFest at the Market  |  September/October

  • Reminds the public that there are Fall products still available at the Market
  • Apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, etc.
  • Mums, pansies, and other Fall plants
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Aug 15 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Friday, August 16, 2024
Garden Tours
Aug 16 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Falls Park

GARDEN TOURS

Landscape architect Andrea Mains of Washington, D.C., has designed the park to feature a collection of “garden rooms,” offering a spectacular display of seasonal color and artistic garden design.

Interested groups can enjoy a Garden Tour with the Falls Park manager. Tours last an hour and incorporate the horticulture and history of Falls Park. Cost is $50 for a group of 30 or less. Garden tours are available from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Friday.

To arrange a garden tour

Greenville State Farmers Market
Aug 16 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville State Farmers Market

Admission and parking are free

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

From its beginning as a tailgate produce market along the Court Street curbside in the heart of downtown, the Greenville Farmers Market has been an integral part of the community. When the need for more space and better facilities was recognized, the Greenville County Marketing Commission helped relocate the market to its present location on June 1, 1949. The Greenville Market continued to operate under the oversight of the Greenville County Marketing Commission until 1980 when by mutual agreement, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture assumed operations of the facility. After selling part of the market property in 2017, the Greenville State Farmers market now operates solely as a retail market on approximately 4 acres and continues its proud heritage of service to the Piedmont region of South Carolina.

The retail market includes a major produce vendor and horticultural vendor year-round. Market operations continue daily, ceasing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Retail hours are 8 am through 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sunday.

Small Vendor Saturdays operates from April through December and consists of local farmers and vendors who rent tables in the daily sales area to offer their products.

A privately-owned restaurant is also located onsite.

The market also sponsors two festivals each year:

Piedmont Plant & Flower Festival  |  April/May

  • Gardening plants from across the state, gardening advice clinics
  • Aquaculture products (koi fish and pond items)
  • Natural soil additives and worm castings
  • Lawn & garden accessories (yard ornaments, garden tools, etc.)

AutumFest at the Market  |  September/October

  • Reminds the public that there are Fall products still available at the Market
  • Apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, etc.
  • Mums, pansies, and other Fall plants
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Aug 16 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Saturday, August 17, 2024
Greenville State Farmers Market
Aug 17 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville State Farmers Market

Admission and parking are free

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

From its beginning as a tailgate produce market along the Court Street curbside in the heart of downtown, the Greenville Farmers Market has been an integral part of the community. When the need for more space and better facilities was recognized, the Greenville County Marketing Commission helped relocate the market to its present location on June 1, 1949. The Greenville Market continued to operate under the oversight of the Greenville County Marketing Commission until 1980 when by mutual agreement, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture assumed operations of the facility. After selling part of the market property in 2017, the Greenville State Farmers market now operates solely as a retail market on approximately 4 acres and continues its proud heritage of service to the Piedmont region of South Carolina.

The retail market includes a major produce vendor and horticultural vendor year-round. Market operations continue daily, ceasing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Retail hours are 8 am through 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sunday.

Small Vendor Saturdays operates from April through December and consists of local farmers and vendors who rent tables in the daily sales area to offer their products.

A privately-owned restaurant is also located onsite.

The market also sponsors two festivals each year:

Piedmont Plant & Flower Festival  |  April/May

  • Gardening plants from across the state, gardening advice clinics
  • Aquaculture products (koi fish and pond items)
  • Natural soil additives and worm castings
  • Lawn & garden accessories (yard ornaments, garden tools, etc.)

AutumFest at the Market  |  September/October

  • Reminds the public that there are Fall products still available at the Market
  • Apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, etc.
  • Mums, pansies, and other Fall plants
Hub City Farmer’s Market
Aug 17 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hub City Farmer's Market

Every Saturday April through December 9, vendors provide local, seasonal products at Northside Harvest Park.

Once signed up for SNAP, you can double up to $40 each Saturday, and we’ll give you an extra $15 for fruits and vegetables! Learn more about how to turn $40 into $95 by clicking here.

Landrum Farmers Market
Aug 17 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Landrum Farmers Market

Simpsonville Farmers Market
Aug 17 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Simpsonville Farmers Market

 

The Simpsonville Farmers Market is an open-air market held on in-season Saturdays in the heart of downtown Simpsonville. Our vendors are local farmers and artisans, and unlike others in the area we plan and run our own market each year. We feature an array of products from the expected seasonal fruits and vegetables, to eggs and artisan cheeses, locally roasted coffee, eggs and meat, health and beauty care, and much more. What was a small affair in 2010 has now grown into a celebrated market known locally for its high quality and variety.

There is a lot to choose from, so make sure you bring your reusable shopping bags!

The weather and growing seasons are a factor in how long our season is, so follow us on Facebook to stay up to date!

TD Saturday Market
Aug 17 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Main Street at McBee Avenue

On Saturday mornings from the beginning of May until the end of October, two blocks of downtown Greenville’s Main Street are transformed into a bustling farmers’ market. The market features over 75 vendors selling the season’s freshest produce and the area’s most original and high quality crafts.  Each week thousands of people flock to the TD Saturday Market for locally-sourced products where all food must be grown or produced within 100 miles of Greenville and crafters are highly-encouraged to use locally-sourced supplies.

There is something undeniably special about Greenville’s TD Saturday Market. We invite you to join us Saturday mornings to experience it for yourself!

Travelers Rest Farmers Market
Aug 17 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Travelers Rest Farmers Market

OUR MISSION:

Community. Education. Commerce.

Travelers Rest Farmers Market is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization created to provide a forum for the exchange of local products and goods, as well as educational and cultural activities for increasing knowledge about, appreciation for, and participation in the local production of natural products, while also fostering a sense of community among the residents and visitors of the Travelers Rest area.

Saturdays, 8:30 am – 12 noon

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Aug 17 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Sunday, August 18, 2024
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Aug 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Monday, August 19, 2024
Garden Tours
Aug 19 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Falls Park

GARDEN TOURS

Landscape architect Andrea Mains of Washington, D.C., has designed the park to feature a collection of “garden rooms,” offering a spectacular display of seasonal color and artistic garden design.

Interested groups can enjoy a Garden Tour with the Falls Park manager. Tours last an hour and incorporate the horticulture and history of Falls Park. Cost is $50 for a group of 30 or less. Garden tours are available from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Friday.

To arrange a garden tour

Greenville State Farmers Market
Aug 19 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville State Farmers Market

Admission and parking are free

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

From its beginning as a tailgate produce market along the Court Street curbside in the heart of downtown, the Greenville Farmers Market has been an integral part of the community. When the need for more space and better facilities was recognized, the Greenville County Marketing Commission helped relocate the market to its present location on June 1, 1949. The Greenville Market continued to operate under the oversight of the Greenville County Marketing Commission until 1980 when by mutual agreement, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture assumed operations of the facility. After selling part of the market property in 2017, the Greenville State Farmers market now operates solely as a retail market on approximately 4 acres and continues its proud heritage of service to the Piedmont region of South Carolina.

The retail market includes a major produce vendor and horticultural vendor year-round. Market operations continue daily, ceasing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Retail hours are 8 am through 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sunday.

Small Vendor Saturdays operates from April through December and consists of local farmers and vendors who rent tables in the daily sales area to offer their products.

A privately-owned restaurant is also located onsite.

The market also sponsors two festivals each year:

Piedmont Plant & Flower Festival  |  April/May

  • Gardening plants from across the state, gardening advice clinics
  • Aquaculture products (koi fish and pond items)
  • Natural soil additives and worm castings
  • Lawn & garden accessories (yard ornaments, garden tools, etc.)

AutumFest at the Market  |  September/October

  • Reminds the public that there are Fall products still available at the Market
  • Apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, etc.
  • Mums, pansies, and other Fall plants
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Aug 19 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Garden Tours
Aug 20 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Falls Park

GARDEN TOURS

Landscape architect Andrea Mains of Washington, D.C., has designed the park to feature a collection of “garden rooms,” offering a spectacular display of seasonal color and artistic garden design.

Interested groups can enjoy a Garden Tour with the Falls Park manager. Tours last an hour and incorporate the horticulture and history of Falls Park. Cost is $50 for a group of 30 or less. Garden tours are available from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Friday.

To arrange a garden tour

Greenville State Farmers Market
Aug 20 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville State Farmers Market

Admission and parking are free

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

From its beginning as a tailgate produce market along the Court Street curbside in the heart of downtown, the Greenville Farmers Market has been an integral part of the community. When the need for more space and better facilities was recognized, the Greenville County Marketing Commission helped relocate the market to its present location on June 1, 1949. The Greenville Market continued to operate under the oversight of the Greenville County Marketing Commission until 1980 when by mutual agreement, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture assumed operations of the facility. After selling part of the market property in 2017, the Greenville State Farmers market now operates solely as a retail market on approximately 4 acres and continues its proud heritage of service to the Piedmont region of South Carolina.

The retail market includes a major produce vendor and horticultural vendor year-round. Market operations continue daily, ceasing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Retail hours are 8 am through 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sunday.

Small Vendor Saturdays operates from April through December and consists of local farmers and vendors who rent tables in the daily sales area to offer their products.

A privately-owned restaurant is also located onsite.

The market also sponsors two festivals each year:

Piedmont Plant & Flower Festival  |  April/May

  • Gardening plants from across the state, gardening advice clinics
  • Aquaculture products (koi fish and pond items)
  • Natural soil additives and worm castings
  • Lawn & garden accessories (yard ornaments, garden tools, etc.)

AutumFest at the Market  |  September/October

  • Reminds the public that there are Fall products still available at the Market
  • Apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, etc.
  • Mums, pansies, and other Fall plants
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Aug 20 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.