2023 is gearing up to be a great year with The Garden Center at Johnson Nursery and The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina! Our lineup of fun, educational, family-friendly, and sometimes delicious events are sure to bring color and inspiration to your life! More events are always being added, and private events and tours are available – Inquire by calling (910) 285-1944 or send an email to GardenCenter@johnson-nursery.com. We’d love to see you in The Garden!
Quick Look:
- Saturday, April 1 – Perennial Showcase with Kata Kress Wallace
- Sunday, April 23 – Worship in the Gardens
- Wednesday, April 26 – le Tour de Plants: Nursery Tour & Social Hour
- Saturday, May 6 – Celebration of Blooms: Day in the Gardens
- Friday, June 16 – Grain to Oven: Farm to Table Experience with Guest Lecture from Brie Arthur
- Saturday, June 17; Saturday, June 24; Sunday, June 25; Sunday, June 18 (Father’s Day Special) – Grain to Oven: Farm to Table Experience
- Sunday, August 6 – Worship in the Gardens
- Saturday, October 21 – Fall Fest
- Sunday, November 5 – Worship in the Gardens
- Saturday, November 11 – Bulb Bazaar
- This Winter – The Southern Lights Holiday Light Display
Perennial Showcase with Kata Kress Wallace
Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Event Tent
Do you have gardening or landscape design questions that only an expert can answer? Join us on April 1st, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Perennial Showcase with Kata! The Garden Center at Johnson Nursery has partnered with The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina to bring the brilliant Kata Kress Wallace, Regional Product Manager of Walters Gardens, to discuss the latest and greatest perennials from Proven Winners!
Kata is an unparalleled source of information and inspiration! She will be presenting Proven Winners®’ EZ Scape™ planting plan, a variety of landscape layout ideas that mix together perennials in coordinating colors, sizes, and habits to create an enchanting garden! Learn which perennials will thrive in our region, how to care for them and how they work together. After the presentation, Kata will hold a Q&A session and participants will have time to explore the gardens and shop at the garden center. Food, alcohol and wine will be available for purchase, as will new and specially-grown perennials.
Kata Kress Wallace is a Regional Product Manager for Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, MI. Based in North Carolina, Kress Wallace oversees sales in the southeastern states. She has been closely tied to the nursery industry throughout her life. Her father owns Sarastro Stauden, a nursery in Austria specializing in unique and rare plants. Kress Wallace has a master’s degree in Geography and Spanish and came to the United States to intern at Plant Delights Nursery with Tony Avent. She worked for Hoffman Nursery as their Garden Coordinator and was later promoted to Production Supervisor. While there, she oversaw production of millions of grass liners and managed an international crew. In 2019 she received the Young Professional Award from the Perennial Plant Association and was named to the Greenhouse Product News 40 Under 40 Class of 2020.
Tickets to the Perennial Showcase with Kata are available for $15 on our website. Sign up by visiting https://johnson-nursery.com/perennial-showcase.
Worship in the Gardens
Sunday, April 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Event Tent
On Sunday, April 23, The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is having a ‘Worship Gathering in The Gardens’ afternoon service. It will be from 3 to 5 p.m. in The Gardens’ tent, located at 985 Johnson Nursery Road in Willard, NC. All are welcome and invited! Get more information and a list of upcoming dates by visiting https://thegardensofsenc.com/worship-in-the-gardens.
le Tour de Plants: Nursery Tour & Social Hour
Wednesday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
During the Garden Center at Johnson Nursery’s popular le Tour de Plants, you’ll enjoy seeing a colorful array of annuals, perennials, and shrubs while listening to your tour guide. Learn about what it takes to run a 125-acre nursery, the amazing process involved with growing a huge diversity of plant material, and do a little shopping for your garden!
Hop on board one of our wagons to receive an exciting tour around our 125-acre production facility! You’ll see where our beautiful plants are potted, propagated and grown to perfection in the vast fields. You’ll be amazed by the bountiful color this spring! Plus, you’ll learn about the vision and progress of the 300 acre project, soon to be display gardens, walking trails, amphitheater, event centers, cafe and more – The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina.
After the tour, you’ll enjoy a light catered meal and great conversation under the event tent at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina. Shop the extensive selection of plants from Johnson Nursery, including annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines, grasses, tropicals, combinations and trees. This event is perfect for a group of friends, you and your spouse, or a garden club! Private tours are available for booking. Visit https://johnson-nursery.com/tour-de-plants for more information.
Celebration of Blooms: Day in the Gardens
Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On May 6th, 2023 we invite guests to celebrate Spring at our first annual Day In the Gardens! Bring the entire family and walk through the beautiful gardens, strike a pose at one of the selfie stations, explore the walking trails through our Native Beech tree hardwood forest, shop over 1800 varieties of annuals, perennials, shrubs, grasses and tropicals grown at Johnson Nursery, and more! Admission to Day In the Gardens is FREE; beer, wine, specialty drinks and fresh oven baked pizza will be available for purchase! Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Come enjoy all The Gardens has to offer! For more information, visit https://thegardensofsenc.com/celebration-of-blooms.
Grain to Oven: Farm to Table Experience with Guest Lecture from Brie Arthur
Friday, June 16 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in the Event Tent
Have you ever made pizza from scratch? At Grain to Oven, you will not only make a delicious pizza, but harvest your own wheat seeds, mill them into flour, and make your own dough! Together, we have big plans for farm to oven experiences in Spring / Summer 2023! Join us for a tasty, fun, and educational experience you’ll never forget while learning from industry expert, bestselling author and horticulturist Brie The Plant Lady!
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina have planted over 5 acres of four different types of grain – wheat, barley, oats, and rye! During a Grain To Oven Event you will harvest, thresh, winnow and grind the grain into flour. Finally, with your freshly made flour, you will make a delicious pizza using provided toppings and our brick fired oven! We want you to experience the satisfaction of creating healthy, nutrient rich foods right from the field. And hey, you might find a new passion while you’re at it! This is a great event for the whole family! Alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and food will be provided. Open to adults and children of all ages! Please note, part of the experience is venturing out into a farm field full of wheat; please dress accordingly.
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina has partnered with Brie The Plant Lady for this awesome project – the cool season Grain Experience! Learn from industry expert and bestselling author and horticulturist Brie Arthur, who has garnered acclaim for her enthusiastic presentations and practical, out of the box gardening advice. With two decades of experience as a professional horticulturist, propagator, and communicator Brie shares her expertise with audiences around the country and is a correspondent on the Emmy award winning PBS Television show “Growing a Greener World”. Follow Brie’s gardening journey through her YouTube channel, Brie the Plant Lady.
Visit https://thegardensofsenc.com/grain-to-oven to join our mailing list to get notified as soon as tickets become available!
Current dates for Grain To Oven Events:
Friday, June 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with guest lecture from Brie Arthur
Saturday, June 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday June, 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Father’s Day Special)
Saturday, June 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Grain to Oven: Farm to Table Experience
Saturday, June 17 Saturday, June 24 Sunday, June 25
Sunday, June 18 (Father’s Day Special)
4 to 7:30 p.m. in the Event Tent
Have you ever made pizza from scratch? At Grain to Oven, you will not only make a delicious pizza, but harvest your own wheat seeds, mill them into flour, and make your own dough! Together, we have big plans for farm to oven experiences in Spring / Summer 2023! Join us for a tasty, fun, and educational experience you’ll never forget!
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina have planted over 5 acres of four different types of grain – wheat, barley, oats, and rye! During a Grain To Oven Event you will harvest, thresh, winnow and grind the grain into flour. Finally, with your freshly made flour, you will make a delicious pizza using provided toppings and our brick fired oven! We want you to experience the satisfaction of creating healthy, nutrient rich foods right from the field. And hey, you might find a new passion while you’re at it! This is a great event for the whole family! Alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and food will be provided. Open to adults and children of all ages! Please note, part of the experience is venturing out into a farm field full of wheat; please dress accordingly.
Visit https://thegardensofsenc.com/grain-to-oven to join our mailing list to get notified as soon as tickets become available!
Current dates for Grain To Oven Events:
Friday, June 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with guest lecture from Brie Arthur
Saturday, June 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday June, 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Father’s Day Special)
Saturday, June 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Worship in the Gardens
Sunday, August 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Event Tent
On Sunday, August 6, The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is having a ‘Worship Gathering in The Gardens’ afternoon service. It will be from 3 to 5 p.m. in The Gardens’ tent, located at 985 Johnson Nursery Road in Willard, NC. All are welcome and invited! Get more information and a list of upcoming dates by visiting https://thegardensofsenc.com/worship-in-the-gardens.
Fall Fest
Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We invite you to join us on October 21st, 2023 at the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina for the second annual Fall Festival! Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and the cost of admission is just $5 per person (children 5 and under are FREE)! Walk the beautiful grounds at the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina and use our QR codes with your smartphone to learn more about the plants in the landscape. Hop on our covered wagon and take a 40-minute interactive tour through our Whimsical Woodlands and stop at one of the selfie stations to snap a photo. Families can experience the excitement of picking their very own pumpkin – big, small, bumpy or smooth – we’re growing a pumpkin or gourd that everyone will love! Keep your child entertained with fun fall festivities. From pumpkin painting, face painting, a bubble garden, make-and-take crafts and more! Shop the vast offering of Mums, flowers, shrubs, trees and more at the Garden Center at Johnson Nursery and explore dozens of locally-owned businesses from candle makers, home decor, wreaths and flower arrangements, and more! Satisfy your thirst and hunger with fresh made-to-order pizza, food and beverage trucks, beer and wine, and more! Get more info, apply for a vendor space, or volunteer to join the fun by visiting https://thegardensofsenc.com/fall-festival.
Worship in the Gardens
Sunday, November 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Event Tent
On Sunday, April 23, The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is having a ‘Worship Gathering in The Gardens’ afternoon service. It will be from 3 to 5 p.m. in The Gardens’ tent, located at 985 Johnson Nursery Road in Willard, NC. All are welcome and invited! Get more information and a list of upcoming dates by visiting https://thegardensofsenc.com/worship-in-the-gardens.
Bulb Bazaar
Saturday, November 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Event Tent
Join us at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina’s second annual bulb market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! This event is FREE to the public! Shop over 30,000 different bulbs from daffodils to tulips in a wide array of colors and take part in a meet and greet with Sarah Anderson, owner of Joyscapes Garden Design in Wilmington, and Carolyn Thomas, President of Friends of the Arboretum and owner of Gardens by Design, who will give advice on planning your beds for a bright and colorful Spring. Enjoy beer, wine, and flatbread pizza while you shop! Get more information and an updated list of bulbs for sale by visiting https://thegardensofsenc.com/bulb-bazaar.
The Southern Lights Holiday Light Display
This Winter from dusk to 9 p.m.
Our hope in hosting The Southern Lights is to create moments of wonder for each guest. Lights create a sense of awe, regardless of age. As every person walks into the light show, whether they are pausing underneath the radiating mature native hardwood trees, dreaming from the endless twinkles of blues, greens and reds, or watching children gape in awe at the 17 foot Christmas Tree with “Merry Christmas” dazzling beside it, we believe that every person will experience The Southern Lights with a smile on their face and a lasting memory.
To make The Southern Lights happen, The Gardens have partnered with Patriot Illumination, a Veteran owned family business that specializes in Christmas lights. Patriot Illumination has custom designed The Southern Lights to be a special, one-of-a-kind light show for The Gardens that will run every weekend after Thanksgiving and into the first of the New Year. The Southern Lights will embody the excitement and wonder of the Christmas season that will captivate people of all ages. Get more information and sign up for our mailing list by visiting https://thegardensofsenc.com/southern-lights.
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