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Rotary Gardens plant sale returns

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Debbie Lawrence, a volunteer Master Gardener from Roscoe, Ill, right, and Rotary Gardens staff member Mirianne Bue, do some final pricing on tables of pansies in preparation for the upcoming Rotary Gardens Plant Sale.

JANESVILLE — In May, gardeners crazed by cabin fever engage in their spring swarming ritual.

Their plant-laden carts jam the aisle of garden centers, and everybody has dirt under their nails.

But smart gardeners know that fall is a good time to plant, too. The ground still is warm and—this is the best part—they can help their local botanical garden in the process.

For seven days starting Saturday, Rotary Botanical Gardens is holding their annual fall plant sale. On Friday, a discounted presale will be held for friends and members. People can sign up for a membership on Friday and be eligible for the discount, as well.

As usual, the sale will feature the garden’s signature gigantic mums in orange, yellow, maroon, whites, lavenders and pinks.

In addition, the sale will feature shrubs, roses, bulbs, mushroom compost, flowering kale, pansies and almost 500 varieties of perennials. A limited number of bulbs from the iris sale will be available, too.

It’s a lot to choose from—and Rotary’s need is great.

“The sale is a vital fundraiser for us,” said Mark Dwyer, director of horticulture for the gardens.

The gardens have a small grounds staff, and the budget for salaries and plant materials hasn’t increased in a number of years. Dwyer depends on more than 10,000 volunteer hours to keep up the grounds.

When he tells his volunteers, “We couldn’t do it without you,” he means it.

The gardens receive no tax dollars and are supported by donations and admission fees.

That’s another reason to visit: Throughout the plant sale, admission to the gardens will be free.

“The gardens still look awesome,” Dwyer said.

Red and maroon were the featured colors this year. Many of those colors have deepened in the fall sun. While it’s still too early for any serious change in leaf color, some of the fall colors are starting to peak from amidst the green.