“Savage Gardens” opens Memorial Day weekend and runs through Sept. 7. The exhibit will offer both real and interpretive examples of carnivorous plants, including the infamous Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) and the American Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia). The nationally-known traveling exhibit was developed and created by Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Tork, Inc.

Savage Gardens demonstrates the many wonders of carnivorous plants and how they lure, catch, kill and digest insects as part of their feeding process. The American Pitcher Plant, for example, offers a narcotic nectar causing intoxicated patrons to take a clumsy tumble into a pool of digestive enzymes. The similar approach of some larger varieties of the Tropical Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes) has been known to even capture small mammals.

The Savage Gardens exhibit will offer a variety of interpretations, demonstrations and programs — both indoors and outdoors. Anchoring the exhibit are four giant sculptures that render larger-than-life perspectives to these beautiful but deadly species. The exhibit will also host six interactive stations to help encourage creative play and hands-on learning for children.

As an addition to the traveling exhibit, the Arboretum will have live carnivorous plants on-site in its Baker Exhibit Center Greenhouse. Venus flytrap plants will also be available for purchase at the Arboretum’s Connections Gallery gift shop. The indoor exhibit will be open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. inside the Arboretum’s Baker Exhibit Center and its outdoor components will be located on the upper-level grounds outside of the Exhibit Center during regular visiting hours. 

For more information, visit www.ncarboretum.org.