Join us for an inspiring evening of poetry, plants, and community connection as the New Hanover County Arboretum and the UNCW Department of Creative Writing presents Poetry at the Arboretum. This unique event highlights the talents of UNCW master’s students and the vital beauty of native plant life in the Cape Fear Region.

As part of a collaborative project between the Arboretum and a UNCW workshop, students have each selected a native plant to research and write about. Their poems explore the plant’s life cycle, ecological role, human relationships, and cultural significance.

What to Expect

Live Poetry Readings
Hear original works read by the student poets themselves as they share what they’ve discovered and imagined through their connection with native plants.

Garden Walk & Poem Displays
After the readings, enjoy light refreshments and explore the native plant garden. Each student’s poem will be displayed alongside the plant it honors—offering a reflective and educational experience.

Lasting Impact
Poem installations will remain on view throughout the summer, allowing guests to revisit or experience the exhibit at their leisure.

“The plants of our region deserve attention and care,” says Professor Anna Lena Phillips Bell, who led the ecopoetics workshop. “These poets have lavished them with both, making inventive, surprising, well-researched poems for their chosen species. I can’t wait to see their work beside the plants they’ve written about, and to hear them share it aloud.”

RSVP Today

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is appreciated.
 Click here to reserve your spot

Special Thanks

This project was made possible through the generous support of the New Hanover County Arboretum and a High Impact Practices Pedagogy Initiative Award from UNC Wilmington.