Spring Flower Fair 2013

The Ultimate Plant Sale: May 10-12, 2013
plant of the year

2013 Gardens Plant of the Year

Rohdea japonica, commonly called Sacred Lily

Welcome to a new tradition at Rutgers Gardens for the Spring Flower Fair – the Gardens Plant of the Year.  It celebrates a perennial, shrub or tree that is now growing in Rutgers Gardens and shows exceptional promise for New Jersey gardens!  Other than simply thriving in a majority of locations throughout NJ, the selection should have exceptional garden qualities.  It should offer more than one season of interest, thrive in a number of different garden locations, not proven to be invasive and, if possible, be resistant to deer browse. 
For 2013, the ‘Gardens Plant of the Year’ is Rohdea japonica, commonly called Sacred Lily. Rohdea has thrived at Rutgers Gardens for over 25 years and has proven itself as a tough garden plant that should be used far more in gardens throughout New Jersey!    

The Ultimate Plant Sale

 

 

The Spring Flower Fair is a garden plant sale that provides you with the opportunity to purchase unique or difficult-to-find plants that will enhance your garden with flower, form or food.  This year we have tried hard to not only increase the selection of those hard-to-find plants, but have also focused upon those plants that will provide solutions to difficult sites in your garden! 

Your purchase also directly benefits the Rutgers Gardens Student Internship Program, which will provide hands-on educational experience for over 12 students this coming summer.  Rutgers Gardens is entirely self-supporting, and your support is greatly needed and appreciated! 

 

annual tables lawn veggies

 

General Information

The Spring Flower Fair is organized by the Rutgers Gardens staff along with help from various plant experts and many dedicated volunteers. The sale is located at the Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion in the Gardens. MasterCard and Visa, along with checks and cash, are accepted.

Volunteer at the 2013 Spring Flower Fair
In order to volunteer at the fair you must attend the mandatory orientation session on April 23.

Plant Sale Highlights Class - Tuesday, April 30 from 7pm - 9pm. Join the Director, Bruce Crawford, to learn about some of the plants we will have available at this year's benefit sale. Learn about the growing conditions and uses of some of our most popular plants, as well as the rare and unusual. $10 per person - Members are free.

 

Rutgers Gardens Membership Benefits at the Spring Flower Fair

Preview Sale on Thursday, May 9 from 4:00pm - 7:30pm is open to all members and special guests. Avoid the weekend crowds while you have a glass of wine, and be the first to select and purchase your plants.

Rare Plant Auction

Plant Pre-Sale -  We have found a few plants that are very difficult to find or are typically very expensive to purchase and – as a benefit of being a Gardens Member – we are offering them for sale to members in advance of the spring sale.  The plants will be available for pick-up at the Thursday evening Preview Reception. 

Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Rutgers Gardens Member.

plant sale plant sale Vegetable tent

 

Schedule of Events

 

April 9 through May 5
Pre-order sales will be processed for Rutgers Gardens Members ONLY. Plants may be picked up on May 9 at the Preview Reception and Sale.

Tuesday, April 30 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Plant Sale Highlights Class:
Bring your landscape design questions to this class where Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers Gardens, will address them. He will also discuss the growing conditions and uses of some of the most popular plant,s as well as the rare and unusual plants available at this year's sale.
Rutgers Gardens Members: Free
Non-Members: $10.00
Location: Holly House

Thursday, May 9 from 4:00pm - 7:30pm
Spring Flower Fair Preview Sale and Rare Plant Auction - Members and Special guests only.
Invitations will be mailed and RSVP is necessary to attend.

Friday, May 10 from 10 am - 5 pm
Sale open to the general public

Saturday, May 11 from 9:30 am - 4pm
Sale open to the general public

Sunday, May 12 from 9:30 am - 3pm
Sale open to the general public


Plant Material

The plant material listed on the pages below will be available as of Friday, May 10. Please note that at last year's sale some of the more rare plants and heirloom vegetables were sold out by Saturday afternoon.

 

Pre-Sale Plants - Rutgers Gardens Members ONLY