Popular Horticultural Plant Sale just one week away

By Casandra Turnbull

The weather has been questionable so in case you’re looking for further signs of spring, look no further than next Saturday’s annual Plant Sale taking place at the Syl Apps Community Centre

A few dozen members of the Paris Horticultural Society (PHS) have spent the last couple of weeks digging up and splitting plants in preparation for the society’s big fundraiser, one of a several planned for the year. The morning long event is very popular and has been known to sell out on most occasions. That’s great news for the PHS, a non-profit organization that uses the funds for horticulture education, a bursary awarded to a local high school student and the beautification of local parks and planters throughout Paris

In preparation for the sale, approximately 20-25 PHS members have been pulling perennials from their home gardens to sell and auction off (there is a plant auction that takes place at 11 am on the morning of the sale) and there’s an entire committee steering the fundraising sale. Like past years, there will be a wide variety of perennial selection, said Serryn Stephenson, Horticultural Society publicity director, sharing a glimpse of what to expect: hostas, iris, perennial geraniums, grasses, Shasta daisies, hellebores, heuchera, allium, phlox, columbine, lady’s mantle and many more. There will be a good pick of native plants, and some annuals, vegetables and trees. “The unique plants sell out quick,” said Stephenson “Hellebores are a big seller One year it was rhubarb that everyone wanted.”

Stephenson praised the PHS members who put a lot of effort into getting the selection ready for the sale. It takes a lot of commitment, she noted, especially with all the rain the past couple of weeks.

“We always try to have a huge number and great selection of plants, depending on the weather conditions and donations, sometimes we have more than other years.”

Members of the Paris Horticultural Society dig up some perennials in preparation for next Saturday’s Annual Plant Sale that takes place at the Syl Apps Community Centre from 8 am to 11 am.

The Junior Gardener’s Corner is returning for the first time in three years, which gives the little shoppers some amusement as caregivers pick up their perennials! Remember, this is a cash only event, there are no debit/credit terminals.

A majority of the club’s 75 members contribute to the sale’s success from volunteering to host the event to growing the perennials to sell. It takes place one day only on May 13 from 8 am to 11 am at the Syl Apps Community Centre