Thu 5/14-Sun 5/17
It’s that time of the year—plant sales are everywhere. Park districts, nature organizations, farms and more are offering a wide range of flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and more—many of them natives—just in time to get theming the ground on peak planting dates.
Holden Arboretum in Kirtland is hosting its home-grown plant sale on Saturday 5/16 @ noon-4pm and Sunday 5/17 @ 10am-4pm, All plants sold were grown at Holden: 80 types of native wildflowers, shrubs, trees and ornamental perennials such as iris, milkweed, wild columbine, rhododendrons, blue star and more. It’s helpful to bring something to tote your haul home! (You’ll probably buy more than you planned.) The sale is included with regular admission.
The Friends of Rockefeller Greenhouse are hosting their annual spring plant sale from Thursday May 14 through Saturday May 16 @ 10am-4pm each day. This hidden gem is just off MLK Drive and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens at the far north end. For this sale it brings in gardeners and gardening organization who offer annual and perennial flowers, tropical plants, house plants, vegetables and herbs, and artist who make upcycled art. What’s really special here is the irises from its own Willott Iris Garden (be sure to go over and check it out) where it grows some 200 varieties in a rainbow of colors. They’ll be selling pots of rhizomes you can take home to start your own mini iris garden. Admission is free as it is every day of the year and it’s open every day except an occasional holiday. Keep that in mind if you’re looking for a cool place to visit.
If you’re closer to Akron, you should check out the 5th annual Native Plant festival taking place at Summit Metro Parks’ Munroe Falls Metro Park Lake area from 10am-3pm Saturday May 16. Not only will they have a variety of native plants for sale but their own staff, as well as experts from area nurseries, landscapers and community organizations involved in growing will be on hand to answer questions and give advice. There will also be two special programs: one on “Moon Gardening for Nocturnal Creatures” at 10:30-11:30am, and another on “Gardening in the Shades: Native That Will Thrive,” at 11:30am-12:30pm and again at 1:30-2:30pm. And not only that—there’s live music! Singer/songwriters Jen Maurer and Bill Lestock will play at 10am-12:30pm and guitarist Victor Samalot will play at 12:45-3pm. There’ll also be a “nature-inspired performance” by ArtSparks.
Food will be available for purchase from Cado Cado Taco, Rabbit Food (vegan) and Henry’s Creamery. And visitors can snag a free seed packet or seeding, while supplies last. Admission is free.
summitmetroparks/native-plant-festival