Outstanding Plants for the Home Landscape

Bryce Lane, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University.

Ready to take your garden to the next level? Whether you're planting a new bed or refreshing an old one, this 6-week course is designed to expand your knowledge of the best landscape plants for home gardens. Join us for a fun, informative journey through the many types of plants that can elevate your outdoor spaces — from vibrant annuals to beautifully flowering trees, and everything in between.

Each week, we’ll focus on a different category of outstanding garden plants. You’ll learn how to choose the right plant for the right place, with expert guidance on selection criteria, soil preferences, sun and shade requirements, and seasonal interest. From shade-tolerant perennials to colorful sun-loving blooms, this course is packed with useful information for every level of gardener.

What You'll Learn:

How to evaluate and select plants based on your garden’s unique conditions
Top-performing plants in each group—what they are and why they shine
How to work with exposure, soil type, and climate to ensure plant success
Design strategies that combine beauty and functionality in the home landscape

Why Attend?

Hybrid Flexibility: Join in person at the JC Raulston Arboretum or from the comfort of home via Zoom.
Access Anytime: All sessions will be recorded and shared weekly with all registered participants.
Expert-Led Instruction: Learn from an experienced instructor with practical, real-world knowledge to help you transform your garden.
Garden-Changing Insights: Discover standout plants that perform well in home gardens — and why they deserve a spot in yours.
Perfect for home gardeners of all skill levels, this course will give you the tools to make informed plant choices and create a thriving, beautiful garden. Don't miss this opportunity to grow your plant knowledge and landscape confidence — register today!

Tentative Schedule:

Annual Bedding Plants and Tender Perennials
Shade-Tolerant Perennials
Colorful Sun Perennials
Bulbs, Corms, and Tubers (Geophytes)
Flowering Shrubs and Small to Medium Shrubs
Ornamental Trees + Wrap-Up and Review

Cost
$250.00 for JCRA Members, $300.00 for nonmembers. Note to nonmembers: instead of paying $50.00 more for the program, become a JCRA Member for $50.00 instead.

Registration
Advance registration is required. Registration is available for in-person, on-site attendance or online attendance.

Mondays, July 14 through August 18, 2025 – 6:30 pm–8:30 pm