Cape Fear Botanical Garden

09/01/2025

September brings softer skies, early golden leaves, and that unmistakable feeling of change in the air. Whether you're holding onto the last notes of summer or welcoming the rhythm of fall, the Garden offers space to breathe, wander, and be inspired. Here's what's happening at CFBG this month.

For information on all events, visit capefearbg.org/event

* Sept 4: Desktop Zen Gardens Workshop
* Sept 5: Kids Night Out
* Sept 6: Plant and Seed Exchange & Sale
* Sept 6: FREE Admission for Kids 12 & Under - Nature Play Day
* Sept 6: Opening of Save our Savannas Exhibit
* Sept 10: Leafy Greens Grow Your Own Seminar
* Sept 11: Among the Longleaf Pines - An Evening in the Heritage Garden
* Sept 11: Family Art Night - Nature Wall Hangings
* Sept 12: Cool-Season Grass Seeding Seminar
* Sept 13: Nature Play Day: Art Explosion
* Sept 15 & 29: Homeschool Plein Air Painting
* Sept 16: Homeschool Day
* Sept 17: Growing Carnivorous Plants Workshop
* Sept 20: Heritage & Harvest Bourbon Showcase
* Sept 24: Fall Seeding Workshop
* Sept 26: Garden After Dark

Plus Preschool Playtime, Tai Chi, Yoga and More

08/31/2025

Plant and Seed Exchange & Sale: Saturday, Sept 6. 9a-1p
Join your community of plant lovers for a morning of swapping, sharing, and growing together! Bring your extra seed and plants to trade and connect with fellow gardeners who are passionate about native plants.

Native plants and seeds will be available for purchase from the garden horticulture team. To see the full list, visit capefearbg.org/event/plant-and-seed-exchange/

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Also Happening in the Garden This Week:
* Monday, Sept 1: CFBG is OPEN 9a-5p
* Tuesday, Sept 2: Nature Tales Storytime
* Tuesday, Sept 2: Tai Chi
* Thursday, Sept 4: Desktop Zen Garden Workshop
* Thursday, Sept 4: Yoga
* Friday, Sept 5: Kids Night Out
* Saturday, Sept 6: Family Fun Day - FREE Admission for Kids 12 & Under
* Saturday, Sept 6: Nature Tales

To register and get more information, visit capefearbg.org/event

08/29/2025

08/29/2025

Final weekend to see The Whimsical Naturalist by Katie Crawford. Step into her playful, science-meets-story world in the Wyatt Visitor Pavilion before the exhibit closes September 1.

Viewing is included with your Regular Garden Admission.

Katie Crawford Art

08/28/2025

Veggie Volunteers Report (August 27): We arrived at Heritage Garden this last Wednesday morning in August with one main goal – w**d and mulch as much of the walkways as possible. Zach and Alicia arrived early and were already assessing the veggie garden’s needs; we were soon joined by Mary and Leslie. Heading to the main building to gather the cardboard, we also gathered three new helpers: Loretta and two FSU computer science students, Jeremy and Abdullah. We are thankful that they chose CFBG for their volunteer option.

The worst of the northside walkways were tackled first. Grass was w**ded, boxes were broken down, and mulch was hauled over. Throughout the morning, little earth snakes were disturbed and Jeremy made six trips to relocate them to the woods. Many hands made short work of the walkway project and several beds on the southside were also cleaned with hopes that they will soon be filled with fall plantings. Only one of the deer-ravaged okra plants have survived enough to possibly bear fruit. Alicia used the T-posts and netting to encircle and protect it – fingers crossed.

The rising heat soon reminded us it was time to take a break. By getting so much accomplished in a shorter time, we were able to sit for a longer spell around the picnic table enjoying snacks and fellowship

As our shift ended, we headed back to the garden to clean up the tools and assess our work. We did take a little more time to plant a bed of the donated to***co plants Stevie hauled over. A multitude of Leaf-footed pest bugs and their nymphs were washed off the mullein. We also carefully checked the eggplants and discovered one ripe fruit and the promise of more to come.

Heading out for the day, we couldn’t help but feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride in the veggie garden. The time we devote to the veggie garden may be just a few hours each week, but during that time we are also cultivating a great crop of friendship and gardening experiences together.

08/28/2025

🌿 Calling all curious hands and creative minds! Desktop Zen Gardens Workshop at the Garden 🌿

Create your own miniature Zen garden—a tiny, tranquil landscape designed to quiet the mind and invite reflection. Inspired by ancient Japanese tradition, these gardens combine elements like sand, stones, moss, and trees into peaceful, meditative scenes.

✨ No experience needed.
✨ All supplies included.
✨ Perfect for adults and teens (or older kids with an adult).
✨ Fee includes admission to the Garden to come early and explore on your own.

Your Zen garden = your personal reset button. Come shape the sand, arrange the stones, and carve out a little stillness in a busy world.

📅 Thursday, Sept 4 * 6-7:30pm
📍 Cape Fear Botanical Garden
🔗 Register now at capefearbg.org/event/desktop-zen-gardens-workshop/

08/27/2025

Tiny doors, mossy roofs, and a whole lot of imagination—our recent Fairy Garden Workshop was pure magic! The Garden is an ideal backdrop for expression, where the natural landscape fuels fresh ideas at every turn.

Programs like this are made possible in part by the support of Arts Council of Fayetteville , and we’re grateful for their partnership in helping us nurture wonder in both kids and adults. Art-inspired workshops and programs have been, and will continue to be, part of the Garden’s story.

Check out our calendar for more upcoming opportunities—family activities, adult workshops, and experiences designed to invite curiosity and connection. capefearbg.org/event

08/26/2025

Cape Fear Botanical Garden will be OPEN throughout Labor Day weekend, including Monday, September 1. Come visit, explore, and play with us during your extended weekend.

08/25/2025

On your next visit to Cape Fear Botanical Garden, ask for a bag of fish food in the Gift Shop and spend time at the Cypress Pond making our fish friends happy.

It's just one of many ways to enjoy CFBG. Visit capefearbg.org to see them all!

08/24/2025

Inspired by the Whimsical Naturalist exhibit, families can create their own watercolor paintings featuring mushrooms. We’ll explore wet-on-wet techniques, oil pastel as a resist technique, and using salt to create textured paintings. This project is ideal for families with kids ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to paint at their own level.

Register at capefearbg.org/event/family-art-night-whimsical-mushroom-art/

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Also Happening in the Garden this Week
* Tuesday, Aug 26: Tai Chi
* Wednesday, Aug 27: Preschool: Dig It!
* Wednesday, Aug 27: Medicinal Plants Seminar
* Thursday, Aug 28: Storytime: What the Map Left Out (preschool)
* Thursday, Aug 28: Yoga
* Saturday, Aug 30: Secret Lives of Garden Insects Seminar
* Saturday, Aug 30: Framed Flower Art Workshop

For details and registration links, visit capefearbg.org/event

08/23/2025

JoAnn Stancil, dedicated to Florence Rogers Charitable Trust for many years, toured the Garden to see the impact they have made over the years before she retires next week.

Thank you for your dedication to making our Garden and community rich with access to education.

08/22/2025

If you thought Summer at Cape Fear Botanical Garden was fun, wait until you see what we have planned for fall!