The JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed garden with the most diverse collection of cold hardy temperate zone plants in the southeastern United States. As a part of the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University, the Arboretum is primarily a working research and teaching garden that focuses on the evaluation, selection and display of plant material gathered from around the world. Plants especially adapted to Piedmont North Carolina conditions are identified in an effort to find better plants for southern landscapes.

The Arboretum is an 8-acre jewel that has been largely built and maintained by NCSU students, faculty, volunteers, and staff. The Arboretum is named in honor of its late director and founder, Dr. J.C. Raulston, who founded it in 1976.

Plant collections include over 5,000 total taxa (species and/or cultivars) of annuals, perennials, bulbs, vines, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees from over 50 different countries, which are displayed in a beautiful garden setting.

The JC Raulston Arboretum is free and open to the public 365 days each year.

The JCRA is located in west Raleigh at the NCSU Horticultural Field Laboratory, near the NC State Fairgrounds, two miles west of the NCSU main campus. It is directly across the street from Capitol City Lumber Company.

Hours of Operation: April-October (Daylight Savings Time months) 8:00 AM-8:00 PM

November-March (Eastern Standard Time months) 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

The JCRA grounds are open every day of the year. However, the Arboretum will close to the public early on the first Sunday in May and on July 4 of each year so we may hold our annual Gala in the Garden and the Dean's 4th of July Celebration, respectively.

Fees: No entry fees for this park
Metro Region: Triangle, NC
Park Management: State

Printed Materials
Autumn in the Arboretum