It was pouring rain on a dreary, cold day in Central North Carolina. Me, my little red wagon, and 300 other crazies were standing on a beautiful garden path - sans poncho which had been inadvertently left at home - waiting to troop into a muddy field full of potted plants. Why would we ever want to be out mid way through a 10 day record deluge of rain? Because it was time for the J.C. Raulston Arboretum Annual Plant Distribution, an event not to be missed no matter what mother nature dropped on our heads.
The arboretum was established in the 70's when J.C.Raulston came to North Carolina State University's Horticultural program. The free plant distribution that brought me out into the flood-like conditions that day is one of the most sought after benefits of joining the Friends of the Arboretum program.
Started in 1981 as a way to clean out the greenhouse before winter, it's become a tradition for many plant lovers. Following the spirit of the arboretum's mission to diversify the American landscape, the giveaway plants are propagated from rare plants in the gardens as well as collected from other gardens around the south and provided by donors and seed exchanges.
Each year the Arboretum gives away over 4000 plants. One or two tickets is all you get, depending on your membership level. That means over 300 people fighting for the best plants in the selection. In spite of how it sounds, the method of distribution is an incredible experience.
As I was standing in the line waiting to enter the giveaway area, I shared my umbrella with two event veterans. My "First Timer" sticker got me some excellent advice on the layout of the giveaway and how to find the plants I wanted quickly. "It's very organized, one of my new friends said, "but it's easy to get overwhelmed and just grab whatever plant is closest."
The method is ingenious. There are four duplicated plant areas, staked out by number. For example, I was eyeing the Butterfly bush at stake 16. Had they been gone when I got there, I could go to stake 16 in any of the four sections to see if there were butterfly bushes left. I had mapped out a route around the stakes to grab some shade loving plant for my backyard, and I was ready to execute.
The horn blew to indicate the first round of plant frenzy and I grabbed my butterfly bush along with a rose and a pretty pink flowering bush (it was an Abelia, but I had no idea at the time). After placing them safely into my little red wagon, I was ready for the next round. Three rounds, three plants each time until all of the plants have happy new owners. It was controlled chaos and beautifully orchestrated at the same time. 
My carefully planned route around the stakes to grab the shade loving plants? No chance! It was out the door after round 1. I didn't mind because the plants that I did grab are going to fill out my garden quite nicely.
Now that I've attend my first event at the arboretum, I'm sure I'll be back for more. I have a vision to turn my backyard into a peaceful oasis for my family. These particular plants are destined for a 12 x12 butterfly and hummingbird garden that I've been dreaming of for years. I just need to keep them alive until the flooded ground dries out.
Watch the experience from a previous (and dryer) year.