Overview
J. C. Raulston, described by the New York Times upon his untimely death as “a generous-spirited giant among horticulturists,” changed the availability of plants in North Carolina, the South, and beyond. Bobby J. Ward, the foremost authority on Raulston’s life, offers a portrait of the legendary figure that will captivate general readers, amateur gardeners, and horticulturists alike. Chlorophyll in His Veins chronicles Raulston’s life from his Oklahoma boyhood, through his horticultural education, army service in Vietnam, research and teaching, and his experiences as a gay man. It also includes his greatest achievements: the establishment of the arboretum at North Carolina State University in Raleigh (now bearing his name), the creation of a free plant distribution system for the nursery industry, and the mentoring of some of today’s most prominent horticulturists. The fraught personal life revealed in Raulston’s journals and letters contrasts with his outgoing public persona, reflecting the influences and pressures that produced his triumphs and heartbreaks. This book includes lists of Raulston’s honors and excerpts from his lectures, plant introductions, and personal writings that illuminate the care, passion, and dedication that Raulston brought to his mantra: “Plan—and plant for a better world.”
Full Product Details
Author: Bobby J. Ward ,
Tony Avent ,
Mark Weathington
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Edition: Revised and Updated Edition, with a New Foreword by Tony Avent and Afterword by Mark Weathington ed.
Dimensions:
Width: 2.50cm
, Height: 15.50cm
, Length: 23.50cm
ISBN: 9781469695075
ISBN 10: 1469695073
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Not yet available
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.
Reviews
""A unique view of a nearly legendary figure. J. C. Raulston has a warm place in the heart of plant growers, and Ward opens a door into understanding his life and legacy.""--Alan S. Weakley, North Carolina Botanical Garden ""Ward illuminates the foundation, life experiences, pain and joy behind the vision for the world-renowned JC Raulston Arboretum. It's a story of following your passion, working hard, and persevering when things don't look like they're going your way.""--Anne M. Spafford, Mississippi State University
""Ward illuminates the foundation, life experiences, pain and joy behind the vision for the world-renowned JC Raulston Arboretum. It's a story of following your passion, working hard, and persevering when things don't look like they're going your way.""—Anne M. Spafford, Mississippi State University ""A unique view of a nearly legendary figure. J. C. Raulston has a warm place in the heart of plant growers, and Ward opens a door into understanding his life and legacy.""—Alan S. Weakley, North Carolina Botanical Garden
Author Information
Bobby J. Ward is a garden writer and retired environmental scientist who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
