April 8 - 9, 2011

Don’t miss the annual Spring Plant Sale & Symposium at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on April 8th and 9th.  The sale will offer a huge selection of plants from local nurseries, garden centers and plant societies, including a variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, trees and tropicals.  This year’s theme, “A Garden Bazaar,” will highlight incredible plant offerings for sale and feature presentations from masters in the horticultural trade including Tony Avent, Keith Clayton, Sandy Connolly, Craig LeHoullier and Roger Mercer.

*Members: $5 ticket includes admission to all workshops/presentations.

*Non-members: $10 ticket includes admission to all workshops/presentations.  Admission to the April 9th sale is free.

*Advanced registration for presentations is encouraged.  Please call (910) 486-0221 to reserve your spot.

Schedule:

Friday, April 8th: Members Only Sale & Symposium (Sale starts at 4:00 p.m.)

• 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
• New Tomato Varieties (tomorrow's heirlooms) by Luck, Observation or Design with NC "Tomato Man" Craig LeHoullier - Journey into the world of tomato culture. Edible Piedmont magazine describes Craig’s tomato-talk as part Bill Gates part Alice Walker. Heirloom tomatoes, eggplant and hot and sweet pepper seedlings will be for sale.

• 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
• Developing the Dream at Plant Delights Nursery at Juniper Level Botanic Garden with Tony Avent - Tony's self-made, international mail-order business is a treasure chest of rare and unusual perennials, hostas, ferns, succulents, ariods and creative rock and water gardens.  Tony will speak on his unique journey creating the business of his dreams, plus some of his experiences as an international plant explorer and hosta hybridizer.

Saturday, April 9th: Public Sale & Symposium (Sale starts at 9:00 a.m.)

• 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Orchid Potting Demonstration and Help Session with Keith Clayton of the Sandhills Orchid Society - In order to maintain plant health and maximize flowering, orchids require re-potting.  Learn the techniques of re-potting and how to tell when it's time to re-pot your plants.  The Sandhills Orchid Society advances the knowledge and appreciation of orchids in Fayetteville.

• 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Talking Plants with Roger Mercer - His goal is simple: to leave the world more beautiful than he found it.  From his words of advice in the Fayetteville Observer to his career hybridizing daylilies, Roger has combined imagination, science, knowledge and energy to reach his goal.  His Garden covers 6.5 acres and is home to more than 1,500 species of decorative plants.  Walk and talk with Roger about his favorite plants and places, including Cape Fear Botanical Garden!

• 12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
• Container Gardening Demo with Sandy Connolly of Green Biz Nursery and Landscaping - Are you new to NC gardening or just ready to try your hand at enhancing your landscape?  Sandy will discuss how to create planters for both sun and shade, filled with annuals that are used to our unique climate.  Build your gardening confidence by learning the importance of plant selection combined with proper potting soil and mulching.

To become a vendor, donate plants, volunteer, or for more information, contact Cape Fear Botanical Garden at (910) 486-0221.