It was a day for summer clothing and sensible shoes, all the better to stroll past beds of flowers, border plants, trees – all the greenery at the JC Raulston Arboretum during its annual Gala in the Garden on a balmy May 4. Fiddle-dominated tunes from the Southern String Band greeted visitors to the nationally acclaimed gardens, as gala guests browsed among antique books, unique plants, autographed basketballs, rare artworks and much more in silent auction tents.

The effects of a recent drought had done nothing to diminish the emerald lushness of the arb, restored to vivid beauty by spring rains. In fact, “Celebrating a Greener World” was the theme of the event, evident in the event program’s special water conservation instructions for gardeners and the caterer’s use of disposable, but quickly degradable plates and utensils.

The atmosphere was relaxed while the more than 600 in attendance enjoyed gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a dessert reception and a selection of beverages, as cool breezes wafted along the mixed borders, through the butterfly yard and in the Rose Garden.

It was also a day of festive apparel: Guests in floral hats were greeted by Larry Wooten in a shirt the color of the goldfish in the arb’s model gardens. Wooten, president of the N.C. Farm Bureau, and his wife, Laura, along with Mary and Claude Caldwell, longtime arboretum volunteers, were 2008 honorary chairs of the event, with Jill Choinard Adams serving as gala event chair.

“This annual gala is a celebration, not only of the coming of spring, but also of the efforts of the staff, volunteers and patrons who support this arboretum all year long,” said Dr. Johnny Wynne, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a host of the event. Wynne gave special acknowledgement of the presence of Ruby McSwain, contributor and namesake of the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center at the JCRA.

Another special recognition came as N.C. State Chancellor James L. Oblinger announced the naming of the arboretum’s visitor center as the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center. Wilder is a 1959 N.C. State graduate who co-founded Century Framing Ltd. in Raleigh. A longtime JCRA volunteer and benefactor, Wilder created two endowments to support student internships at the arboretum, as well as a horticultural scholarship endowment in the College and a major gift to the arb’s Endowment for Excellence.

At the end of the day, sponsorships for the 2008 gala totaled $63,000, and sales of auction items totaled $31,790, with all proceeds benefiting the working research and teaching garden.

—Terri Leith