UDBG plant sale set for April 30

Spirea x bumalda

2:16 p.m., April 5, 2005--Area gardeners in search of out-of-the-ordinary plants flock to the annual University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (UDBG) Plant Sale, which will be held this year from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, April 30, near the Fischer Greenhouse behind Townsend Hall. Now in its 13th year, the sale specializes in trees, shrubs and perennial flowers not readily available in retail garden centers.

Spirea, a shrub popular in gardens since Victorian times, is the featured plant at this year’s sale. In recent years, new cultivars have abounded in the marketplace, sparking a new interest in the plant known for its blossoms.

The UDBG sale offers 12 cultivars, ranging in size from dwarf to varieties 8 feet tall, and in flower colors ranging from traditional white to varying shades of pink and red. More information on Spirea, as well as a complete list of all sale plants, is posted at [http://ag.udel.edu/udbg].

Since there is always great demand for UDBG sale plants, veteran buyers know to preorder their favorites to avoid disappointment on sale day. Another advantage to preordering is that plants can be picked up the day before close to the sale location for ease-free loading.

The preorder deadline is Friday, April 15. Preordered plants are processed in the order received and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Preorders can be picked up between 2 and 8 p.m., Friday, April 29, near the Fischer Greenhouse behind Townsend Hall.

Proceeds fund UD student horticultural internships, as well as UDBG horticultural education and research programs.

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