Bargains in bloom at Botanic Gardens plant sale

By Carol O'Meara, Special to the Rocky

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Judy DeHaas / The Rocky/2007

Carol McDaniel ties a price tag to one of the many hanging baskets.

Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky/2005

Volunteer Patricia Robertson, right, of Denver, replenishes chocolate mint in the herbs section of the Denver Botanic Gardens 56th Annual Plant Sale in 2005. "We get to share our knowledge with others and it helps the Gardens," Robertson says.

Ellen Jaskol / The Rocky

A pompon dahlia in full bloom shows off its colors at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Eat your Wheaties, dust off the credit cards and grab your sunscreen. There's no need for fashion, so trade those Manolos for some sensible shoes, grab a hat and tell your spouse not to worry. But just in case, pop some cash into your purse.

When you're headed to the mother-of-all plant sales, preparation, planning and a little red wagon are keys to success.

The 59th annual Botanic Gardens plant sale, held today and Saturday, boasts a crowd of thousands and takes the efforts of more than 500 volunteers to run. With 85,000 plants to choose from, it's the largest plant sale of the spring.

"This is definitely a bring-your-own-wagon event," says Will Jones, public relations manager for the Gardens.

You'll find more than just plants at the big sale, Jones says. You'll be able to pick up compost, pots, tools, fertilizer, even gardening magazines to help you out.

"We're one-stop shopping," he says. "It's like going to the mall."

Having a solid strategy as you shop will help you find the right plants for your garden. Make a list and prioritize it to look for the important plants first, says Carol Newman-Holitza, president of Sow 'N Grow garden club in Broomfield.

Thumbing through catalogs and gardening magazines is helpful in giving you ideas for your list, but investigate to find out if the plant will grow in Colorado.

Organize your list by annuals or perennials, as those items usually are grouped together.

But even if you don't have a clue what you need, don't sweat it. The Gardens will offer pre-packaged plant kits giving you everything you need to plant a grouping that looks great and grows well.

An important change is the absence of maps for the 34 tents and plant areas.

"We're zero-waste this year, so we won't be handing out maps," says Jones. Kiosks will be around to show people where things are, but for ease of shopping, print a copy of the map from the Denver Botanic Gardens Web site, botanicgardens.org/.

For the best selection at any plant sale, go early on the first day. Organizers don't hold back items for restocking, and good or unusual items go quickly. At the Botanic Gardens, look for smaller items, such as herbs, small fruit and vegetables, near the entrance, while larger, heavier plants are nearer the checkout.

Bring cardboard boxes or other means to make carrying plants easy.

"I've seen moms pulling their kids in a wagon, saving room for plants," says Betty Cahill of the Denver Rose Society. "People attach crates to luggage carts or push wheelbarrows through there."

Area plant societies will be holding plant sales this spring and are at the Gardens' sale to discuss specialty plants and give pointers on growing them.

Keep in mind that larger is not always better, and smaller plants are less expensive, said Ruth Sorenson, vice president of the Northglenn garden club. They'll grow quickly, and you can stretch your budget to purchase more plants.

If you have questions, look for one of the horticulture staff, who will happily share tips for growing successfully.

Carol O'Meara, a local gardening expert, may be reached at omearac@yahoo.com.

Hints help you harvest deals

Producing a plant sale teaches you much about the world, such as whether long-term therapy is covered under medical insurance.

Few things approach the lunacy of an event run by wild-eyed gardeners, waving hoses and speaking in tongues. That it's Latin and nobody agrees on pronunciation just adds to the chaos.

I've organized sales, and experience taught me that it's less about the plants and more about the portable potties; shade is worth sacrificing friendships, and the bad weather isn't stopped by standing before it, arms outstretched, yelling "You couldn't arrive tomorrow?"

Yet the people who staff plant sales are brave, with irrepressible humor. They have to be, because for gardeners, this is the closest they'll come to an Olympic event. During the sale, shoppers slalom at speed, holding trays of seedlings, their spinning moves and body blocks worthy of a medal. Teams are lined up, some to shop, others to guard, and from my place on the sidelines, I've noted a few things that might help you make shopping successful:

* Remain calm, it's Latin. If you don't understand, ask; most volunteers will regain English to explain.

* Avoid shouting to a friend about an exciting discovery. That just stampedes gardeners to you, and you'll be left, clutching one slightly crumpled plant once the herd thunders away.

* Be wily. Lean in to hear the discussion of gardeners, then slide behind them to grab the plants discussed.

* Please leave dogs at home. Though they're wonderful companions and a joy in the garden, males have the regrettable urge to water every plant in sight. This is our job, we prefer to take care of it.

* If you must fondle the plants, be gentle. If you want to eat them, take them home and wash them first.

* Plants left unattended may find themselves in the arms of another shopper, so guard your selections carefully.

* Children in strollers are fine, but if you load them down with plants, be courteous and tell the cashier there's a child under there so they don't faint when the foliage peers up at them.

If you go:

* What: The 59th annual Denver Botanic Gardens plant sale, featuring thousands of plants. Horticulture staff will be available to answer questions or help with selecting the right plant for your space.

* Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St.

* When: 8:30 a.m to 10 a.m. today (members-only shopping); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today (public); 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday (members); 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (public) Saturday

* Details: Admission is free, but parking is limited.

* Information: botanicgardens.org/ 720-865-3585

Spring brings a bumper crop of plant sales

Whether you're itching to pick up seedlings or hanging baskets, there's sure to be a plant sale near you.

May

* Pickens Technical College annual plant sale, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., through Monday, 500 Airport Blvd., Aurora, 303-344-4910. Hanging baskets, annuals and perennials abound at this fundraiser for the college.

* The Golden Garden Club annual spring plant sale, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m., Saturday, corner of 12th Street and Washington Avenue, Golden. Head to Golden for a great selection of perennials and ground covers.

* Boulder Garden Club plant sale, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Casey Middle School, 2410 13th St., Boulder. Features seedlings, vegetables, herbs, perennials and more from members' gardens. Proceeds fund club projects in Boulder.

* Happy Transplants Garden Club plant sale, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, in the parking lot of Vectra bank, 3300 W. 72nd Ave., Westminster. Sale of perennials, annuals, herbs and shrubs fund community projects and scholarships.

* Front Range Organic Gardeners plant auction and sale, 6:30 p.m., auction at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Denver Presbytery Hall, 1710 S. Grant St., 303-744-7871. Large selection of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, herbs, 20 other vegetables, shrubs. To view list of varieties, visit coauctioneers.org and click on auctions.

* Gigantic annual spring plant sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16-17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 in the Monument Park demonstration garden at Glen Avenue and Cache la Poudre Street, Colorado Springs. Presented by the Horticulture Art Society of Colorado Springs, Inc., hasgardens.com/. Thousands of plants for sale, from perennials and annuals to shrubs, vines, small fruit and natives.

* Herb Society of America - Rocky Mountain Unit's Herb Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 17, Denver Presbytery Hall, 1710 S. Grant St., 303 355-5033. Herbs grown from seed include calendula, dill, basil (many varieties), oregano, sage, chives, stevia, sorrel.

* Plantapalooza, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 17, at the Colorado State University Extension office, 888 East Iliff Ave. Sponsored by the Colorado Master Gardeners of Denver County, 720-913-5278. Large selection of annuals, vegetables and perennials grown for Colorado gardens.

* Ginormous plant sale, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. May 17-18, in the northeast corner of Broadway and Iris Avenue, Boulder. A fundraiser for Growing Gardens and the Colorado Master Gardeners of Boulder County, 303-413-7248 ext. 2. Sale features heirloom tomatoes, vegetables, perennials, natives, annuals and water-wise selections.

* Annual native plant sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 31, at the Environmental Center of the Rockies, 2260 Baseline Road, Boulder; Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, 303-441-5152. Find native plants to provide food and cover for birds, bees, butterflies and other wild visitors to your yard.

* Fairmount Cemetery Rose Sale and Tour, 9 a.m. May 31 at Fairmount Cemetery's 1890 Gate Lodge, near the Alameda entrance, 430 S. Quebec St. Benefits the Fairmount Heritage Foundation, 303-322-3895. Includes 17 varieties of hardy, historical roses plus botanical art prints.

June

* Denver Rose Society Old Garden Rose Display and Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 1, Denver Botanic Gardens, Gates Hall & Garden Court; denverrosesociety.org/. Many varieties of old and modern roses will be for sale along with Mile-Hi Rose Feed.

* Colorado Water Garden Society annual plant sale, colowatergardensociety.org/. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 8, Denver Botanic Gardens, Morrison Center. Annual fundraising event features the sale of tropical and hardy water lilies, plus other water plants.

* Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society annual show and sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 14-15, Denver Botanic Gardens, main building atrium, www.rockymtnbonsai.org/. A large show of native and exotic Bonsai.

July

Iris sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 26, Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Sponsored by the American Iris Society, Region 20, geocities.com/rainforest/jungle/4140/index.html. Look for unusual and award-winning irises to dress up your summer garden.