It's less than two weeks until the Spring Plant Sale! Just to remind you, it starts on Friday, May 18^th 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 days 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 2006 we divided 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. Amsonia, Hosta, mayapple, and Rudbeckia are some of the IES-grown perennials that we will be offering.

We will have a broad selection of unusual perennials, but haven't forgotten the old time favorites like bleeding heart, astilbe, bellflower, etc. Due to popular (and ecological) demand, this year's sale also features a larger selection of native plants than we've had in the past. 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 IES website 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. 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.

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 answer any questions that you might have.

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 grouped together; the same goes 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!