The Spring Plant Sale is almost here! Just to remind you, it starts on Friday, May 19th at 10:00 AM and runs to 4:00 PM. The same is true for Saturday. Sunday's hours are from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. As you can imagine, we are all very busy these last few weeks getting prepared for this exciting event. I can say very honestly, that if it were not for our wonderful staff of volunteers, this task would be impossible! Weeks before, they are pricing and primping every plant, making sure that each pot is labeled with its appropriate name.

In the fall of 2005 and during this spring, we started to divide some of the mature plantings in the Gifford Garden. "The Gifford Garden Divisions", as we call them, will be available again at this spring's sale. Ostrich fern, mayapple, donkey tail spurge and some Rudbeckia are some of the IES-grown perennials that will be for sale.

We will have a broad selection of unusual perennials, but haven't forgotten the old time favorites like bleeding heart, astilbe, bellflower, etc. There will be staff and volunteers available to help you with your selections or to answer questions that you might have. Our plant list is available on the web (also thanks to our dedicated volunteers), so you can start to plan your purchases before you come to the sale. Keep in mind that due to crop failures we cannot guarantee that every plant on that list will be at the sale. It was a long winter and that takes its toll on the plants. We will do our best. If you have the time, walk over to the Gifford Garden and stroll the brick pathways. The display gardens are really lovely in the spring.

As in the past, we will have a nice selection of woody plants. Brad Roeller, our walking garden encyclopedia will be on hand, all three days of the sale, to share his plethora of knowledge with you.

The plant sale area will be divided up into sections in order to help you find what your heart desires. Plants that love the shade are all grouped together, the same for sun-loving perennials. Natives, rock garden plants, alpines, roses, vines, groundcovers, Gifford Garden divisions, peonies and ferns all have their own designated area under and around the tent. I hope that you get the opportunity to stop by and see us. It is really an amazing event especially if you're a garden enthusiast!