Annual Spring Native Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

double a year the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin , Texas , hosts a two - day plant cut-rate sale of over 300 species aboriginal to the United States Department of State of Texas . The sales agreement includes annual and perennial wildflower , cacti and succulent , vine , shrubs , trees , grasses , water plant life , and seeds . This year ’s springiness sale takes spot April 12–13 , 2019 . ( The fall sale will take place October 18–19 . )

Become a member for early admission

Members get first filling of the plants from 9 to 5 on Friday at the members - only sale , and kinsfolk who join or regenerate a membership at the sale obtain a coupon for three gratuitous plants . Saturday ’s sale ( also 9 to 5 ) is undetermined to the general public and is free with veritable admission to the centerfield .

While some of the species available at the sale are also usable at aboriginal works nurseries , many are not . Veterans of the sales event know that if you are looking for something special or unusual it is proficient to come as early as possible , as quantities are limited . The works tilt for the sale will be posted on theWildflower Center websitea yoke of calendar week prior to the event .

Expect rare and unusual finds

Previous outpouring sales have included appreciate species such assquarebud primrose(Calylophus berlandieri , Zones 8–10),Anacacho orchidaceous plant tree(Bauhinia lunarioides , partition 8–10),anderyngo(Eryngium leavenworthii , Zones 7–11 ) . Some Modern debuts in recent age that had me particularly excited includecorkstem passionflower(Passiflora suberosa , Zones 8–11),Faxon yucca(Yucca faxoniana , Zones 7–11 ) , andTexas bluebell(Eustoma exaltatumssp.russellianum , Zones 8–10 ) . Monarch butterfly enthusiasts flock to the sales agreement to shop for aboriginal silkweed species such asantelope - French horn milkweed(Asclepias asperula , Zones 7–9 ) andzizotes milkweed(A.oenotheroides , Zones 7–9 ) .

What you need to know before you go

Serious shoppers often line up early at the Bill Gates before the sales event open , and the truly initiated bring along their own garden handcart or waggon to haul their purchases . The Wildflower Center does cater garden carts at the sale , but they are in high need during height sentence , which is typically Friday and Saturday mornings . gardening staffers are on hand to assist shoppers find their fashion and to answer motion . The general ambiance at the sale is bustle and gamy - spirited , with a certain sense of comradery among fellow gardeners .

One skillful way to do the sale is to arrive early on , buy your plants , and then impart them in the staffed holding region while you continue search the grounds . The Wildflower Center is the state botanical garden of Texas and admit nine landed estate of garden as well as a 16 - Akko botanical garden and two miles of trail . After exploring , you’re able to retrieve your car and drive mighty up to the holding orbit where stave will lade your plant purchases into your motorcar .

This sale is really not to be missed by anyone with a rage for gardening in the Southern Plains . While the sale is focused on species that are native to Texas , many of them are also native to or adapted to Oklahoma and other neighboring United States Department of State . aboriginal plant enthusiasts , casual gardener , and even homeowners wait for a honorable tree diagram for their grand will find a treasure to take home at the plant sale . And a word to the wise : contrive a little excess room in your car for the drive dwelling house , because you will undoubtedly find some treasures that were n’t on your original shopping list .

Karen Beaty is a horticulturalist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin , Texas .

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