Huntsville Botanical Garden Plant Sale (Madison, Guntersville: Home Depot, buying, prices)

[Reactionary]

This weekend!

april 16-19: spring plant sale
members only sale: April 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Public sale: April 17-18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; april 19, 1-5 p.m.

A long-established huntsville rite of spring and the largest in the state, the spring plant sale offers annuals by the flat or pack; ferns, geraniums, a huge selection of herbs, cherished heirloom plants, houseplants, orchids, perennials, old-fashioned roses, vegetable plants, water plants, wildflowers, shrubs, vines, and trees. All varieties have been specially selected to thrive in north alabama. Master gardeners will perform soil ph testing. Vendors offer garden accessories.

[33458]

If I wasn't still hacking up bit O'lung, I'd go. Just found out about hardy orchids, had no idea we could have them naturalized this far north. VERY excited. New proposed element for my woodland oasis.
Need many, many tolerant, total shade plants. Some for the critters, some for me.

[Guntersville Boomer]

Did anyone go to this plant sale? I was wondering how the prices were, next year I have to go and get a car load or 2 or 3, lots of landcaping to do. Also, does anyone have any suggestions on good places to go to get reasonably priced plants, flea markets?

[Reactionary]

Yes. Prices are fair, keeping in mind that it's a fund-raiser. You can get some plants at the sale that aren't available at many nurseries (i.e., 40+ types of hosta, 15+ types of trillium, etc).

The Madison County Farmer's Market on Cook Avenue usually has some plants.

I like Bennett's nursery on North Parkway, Catbird Seat in Madison, plus the place at Leeman Ferry / Johnson Road and the place at Lily Flagg and South Parkway.

[HB2HSV]

I went to this Plant Sale and I was very happy that I did.

The benefits of this event was more than just buying plants. They had 'Master Gardeners' available to answer your questions, make planting recommendations, and conduct soil analysis for you.

I brought a sample of my soil and had it analyzed. It turns out that my soil is very alkaline (pH = 8). The result is really not a surprise as my soil has almost 50% limestone rocks in it. But I changed my plan of planting Azalea to Lilac because of this pH analysis and the Master Gardener's suggestion.

I also clipped of leaves from the dogwood & red maple I bought from Home Depot to let the Master Gardener take a look. The dogwood leaves have dark spots which turns out to be a fungus infection. But the master gardener said just leave it alone and it will go away by next year. The red maple leaves had some damage and, according to the master gardener, it was due to the hale storm we had a couple of weeks back so it is okay.

We only bought Lilac plants that day which is $6/ea, but the advices we've received was well worth the trip.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Guntersville Boomer

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on good places to go to get reasonably priced plants, flea markets?

In addition to what Reactionary recommended (I've been to Bennett's & the Catbird seat), there's also the Green nursery right off Governor's drive in big cove. They are very knowledgeable and give good advices as well.

[33458]

What about 'Across The Pond'? The 2 acre garden center...who's been there?

Feeling better, planted 8 musk/hardy roses and two Hansen Cherry yesterday. Today I just can't hear anything.

I love hosta and trillium.

[deesonic]

My wife is a 'horticulture specialist' at the "BoGards." She worked the plant sale on Friday and Saturday. Chances are she gave some good advice to some of you.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by deesonic

My wife is a 'horticulture specialist' at the "BoGards." She worked the plant sale on Friday and Saturday. Chances are she gave some good advice to some of you.

Well... if she's the pretty one with a nice smile, then she did

[deesonic]

Yeah...that's her!