2023 Southeastern Plant Symposium and Rare Plant Auction

Join fellow plantaholics, plant geeks, nurserymen, gardeners, and horticulturists to rethink and reinvigorate modern landscapes. We're talking plants outside our backdoors to plants around the world, low input but high impact performers, super-functional and beautiful, native to rare and unusual. Do not miss this two-day deep dive into what's new and exciting in the plant world.

The 2023 Southeastern Plant Symposium will be two days of incredible, intense programs for plant lovers with a focus on woody ornamentals.

For registrants attending the symposium, Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery will be open for visiting and shopping on Thursday, June 15 from 8:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, June 18 from 8:00am to Noon. ET

  • Friday, June 16, 2023 – 9:00 am4:15 pm
  • Friday, June 16, 2023 – 6:00 pm8:30 pm - Optional Evening Dinner and Presentation
  • Saturday, June 17, 2023 – 9:00 am5:00 pm

Registration

Registration is now open for the symposium and optional Friday night dinner and presentation. To attend the Friday night dinner, please make sure to select the dinner and presentation option during registration.

Early Registration (ends Sunday, May 14, 2023): $250.00.

Regular Registration (Monday, May 15 through Sunday, June 11, 2023): $300.00.

Late Registration (Monday, June 12 through Thursday, June 15, 2023): $350.00.

Optional Friday Evening Dinner and Presentation: $80.00.

Advance registration is required. Please register online using the JCRA registration e-store (in-person program and online program). Registration is limited and is considered complete when payment is received.

Speakers

Richard Olsen, PhD - Director, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
Tom Ranney, PhD - JC Raulston Distinguished Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Ross Bayton, PhD - Director, Heronswood Garden, Kingston, WA
Scott McMahan - Manager of International Plant Exploration, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, GA
Emma Allen - Garden Manager, RHS Wisley Garden, London, England
Nina Bassuk, Ph.D - Emeritus Professor, The Urban Horticulture Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Greg Paige - Director of Horticulture, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Gary Knox, PhD - Professor Emeritus, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL
Judson LeCompte, PhD - Product Development Assistant Manager, Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc., Grand Haven, MI
Meng Meng Gu, PhD - Professor and Department Head, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Anthony Aiello - Associate Director of Collections, Longwood Gardens
Jenny Xiang, PhD - Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, NC State University
David Roberts - Director of Plant Breeding, Bailey Nurseries, Inc., Athens, GA

Coming Soon! More details including the schedule and presentation titles are coming.

Continuing Education Credits

We plan to apply for Continuing Education Credits with the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board and the North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects. Once approved, information about the credits will be updated.

Sponsorships

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the annual Southeastern Plant Symposium hosted by the JC Raulston Arboretum and Juniper Level Botanic Garden.

Events like this innovative symposium are only possible through the support of our fellow horticulturists. We hope that you will consider sponsoring the symposium so that we can continue sharing the endlessly exciting discoveries in the world of plants. Proceeds support the mission of the JC Raulston Arboretum and the Juniper Level Botanic Garden Endowment.

Hotel

The host hotel for the Southeastern Plant Symposium is the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, located at 3415 Wake Forest Road. All presentations on Friday and Saturday will take place at the hotel as well as the Friday evening dinner and presentation.

Book Your Room

To make your reservation, please visit Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel's website. The host hotel is located at 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. When making a reservation using the link above, our group name is already applied. If you call in your registration, please reference the group code "SEPS" to receive the group rate. Please note that our group rate expires on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Rare Plant Auction

The accompanying rare plant auction has already reached legend status in the industry.

Auction proceeds benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum and the Tony & Anita Avent Juniper Level Botanic Garden Endowment. Funds supporting the JC Raulston Arboretum are managed by the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Tax ID 56-6049304.

Registration
Advance registration is required. Please register online through the JCRA website (in-person program and online program). Registration is limited and is considered complete when payment is received.
Cancellation
Program cancellations can be made up to two weeks before the program's start date. A 15% cancellation fee applies.
Location
Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609
Questions
Please email jcraprograms@ncsu.edu for more information about this symposium