As Brandywine gardeners we are truly lucky to be surrounded by so many great horticultural organizations. I thought it might be useful to have a simple, shorthand guide to plant sales in the area to help you plan your weekend purchasing. If I have missed a sale, please send me a comment.
APRIL
Saturday, April 22
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Native Plant Nursery Opening Day
Friday & Saturday, April 28 & 29
University of Delaware Botanic Garden
25th Anniversary Plant Sale Celebration
Saturday, April 29
Delaware Center for Horticulture
37th Annual Rare Plant Auction
MAY
Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7
Delaware Nature Society
Native Plant Sale
Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7
Tyler Arboretum
Annual Plant Sale
Saturday, May 13
Brandywine River Museum
Annual Wildflower, Native Plant & Seed Sale
Saturday, May 13
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
2017 Annual Plant Sale
Tips
Almost all of these sales offer member and donor previews, so if there is something special you really want, go ahead and join the organization and take advantage of the early access.
Look online for a preview list or catalog and then prioritize what you want to buy. Good plants often sell fast, so you need to be strategic.
Wear sunscreen and sunglasses, bring a bottle of water, fold the seats down in your car and put a tarp down in back, bring some plastic bags and cardboard boxes to prop plants and wrap up your purchases, and bring cash and checks in addition to your credit card.
Great info and tips about plants sales! It’s also worth mentioning that proceeds from the plants purchased at the Winterthur Museum Store support Winterthur’s garden and educational programs. The assortment “grows” weekly this time of year. Stop in and say hello to our plant shop expert, Loes Hutmacher!