Spring is here, and if you don’t believe it look no further than the many area nature centers and gardens gearing up for spring sales of native plants and more.
The Garden Club of Princeton is hosting its annual spring flower market on Thursday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop beautiful and affordable cut flower arrangements to brighten up your home for spring or make someone’s day with a surprise gift. The market will feature cut flower arrangements handmade by the club’s members, many of whom are professional florists and longtime horticulturalists. Proceeds fund The Garden Club of Princeton’s civic projects, including caring for the All Wars Memorial at the corner of Nassau and Mercer streets.
The sale is located on the corner of Nassau Street and University Place, across from Jammin’ Crepes. These markets have continued annually in the spring and fall for more than eight decades.
Also in Princeton, Morven Museum and Garden’s spring plant sale is ongoing through Monday, April 8. Orders must be placed online by that date for on-site pick-up on Friday, May 10, for Morven members and Saturday through Monday, May 11 through 13 for all others.
Morven materials note that its horticulturists “present an exciting array of items for spring planting, featuring select, new, and heirloom varieties of perennials, annuals, shrubs, and more.”
Additionally, the museum is “partnering with Sustainable Princeton to identify plants for sale that are native to New Jersey. Native plants have many environmental benefits. They have roots that help conserve and filter water and protect soil resources, reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, attract butterflies and other pollinators, and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Look for the ‘Sustainable Princeton Preferred’ logo to identify qualifying plants and learn more about their benefits.”
Morven is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Learn more at www.morven.org/fy24/plantsale.
The native plant nursery at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope opens for the season on Friday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the Preserve are eligible for early access on Thursday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to its website, bhwp.org/grow/native-plant-nursery, “More than 200 species of high-quality native plants — including perennial wildflowers, vines, ferns, shrubs, and trees — are offered for sale throughout the growing season …
“The plants you buy represent local germplasm grown without harsh chemicals such as neonicotinoids. Buying Preserve-grown plants will allow you to create a more natural, sustainable and care-free garden. It is a great way to enhance your local environment, attract more native pollinating insects and birds and beautify your landscape.
“The proceeds of our plant sales are cycled back into our propagation program. This enables us to both fund our informative educational programs and supports one of our primary missions — enhancing the biodiversity of our local ecosystem by placing more native plants in gardens like yours.
Our knowledgeable team of gardeners and naturalists are on hand to answer your questions and help you choose the native plants that will grow best in your gardens. Free resource material is also available, including native plant recommendations for your specific growing conditions.
“Our plant sales area also features suggested native plant combinations and demonstration gardens.”
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is located at 1635 River Road in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Visit www.bhwp.org for more information.
Online ordering is open through Friday, April 12, for the Herb Society of America Delaware Valley Unit’s annual sale. Its plant list has more than 100 choices, with multiple varieties of many common herbs (such as rosemary, sage, mint, thyme, scented geranium and lavender). Herbs are pre-ordered and will be available for pick-up at the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum in Lambertville on the morning of Saturday, May 18. Visit www.delvalherbs.org.
The annual herb sale is held to fund the Virginia Petrie Memorial Scholarship, awarded yearly to a student studying in a horticultural-related field at Delaware Valley University. New this year, the sale will be co-sponsored by Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum, and proceeds will benefit that organization as well. Visit www.holcombe-jimison.org for more information.
The Herb Society of America, Delaware Valley Unit maintains an International Culinary Herb Garden on the grounds of the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum. Visit the garden during their events, or contact the society for a tour. For membership information contact Jackie Majorossy at HSA.DVU@gmail.com.
The Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum is located at 1605 Daniel Bray Highway in Lambertville. For more information visit www.holcombe-jimison.org.
And last but not least, save the date for the Garden State African Violet Club’s 70th annual show and plant sale on Saturday, May 4, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Mercer County Community College Student Center. Contact GSAVCmail@gmail.com or visit Garden State African Violet Club on Facebook for more information.
