Gardeners rejoice at this time a year at the abundance of plant sales that are carried out in various communities.
Horticultural societies raise funds by asking their members to pot up those perennials that need to be divided or are in need of a new home. Heritage specimens that are no longer commercially available can often be part of those sales. Traditional colours or size characteristics may not be sold commercially, but can be of interest to heritage gardeners.
The Fergus Horticultural Society held its first sale in 1999 at a member’s home. The sale gradually grew larger, so that a venue at the Sportsplex would hold the number of anticipating gardeners.
This year’s annual event took place on May 14. It was the society’s only fundraiser.
Each year the society’s numerous community gardens are evaluated and extra perennials are potted up. Members of the society also scour their own gardens and select those plants that need dividing and include them in the sale.
This year’s collection was very extensive. Templin Gardens and Terry Fox Park yielded a fine collection of hostas, lilies, and peonies. New growth peonies from the renowned Wally Gilbert and Billy Brown collection were snapped up in seconds. Other gardens offered rosebushes, traditional favourites and newer cultivars.
Other gardeners contacted the society to contribute a wide selection of herbs, irises, ground covers, and grasses.
This year as in other years, the community began to line up early for the sale. At 8am, there was a mad dash to select plants and bring them to a holding area. In the rain, gardeners continued to collect wanted specimens using the society’s wheelbarrows and wagons.
The society prides itself on offering quality perennials to local gardeners. The majority of the collection was well-sized and inexpensive. The prices range from $1 to $5, with specialty plants priced higher.
Society members were on hand to suggest what plants would fit into specific growing spaces. Discussions of gardening techniques and problems were addressed.
This year’s co-coordinators, Kathy Bouma and Randy McLean, made sure customers were able to locate requests using the society’s list of possibilities. Their superb organizational skills made for a smooth and successful fundraiser.
