Actually, the PAX plant sale is not until April 17-18. The plant sale that you are referring to seems to a first for the JCRA. Hey, you can't have too many plant sales.

BTW, I typically attend the PAX plant sales every Spring and Fall. They have great woody plants and although their perennial selection is more uninspired these days, I am always able to find something I want. Their prices are not cheap, but are very reasonable, particularly for some plants that are hard to find in nurseries.

I go every year. I always find something I just gotta have. Prices are sometimes very cheap but their goal is not to undercut the nursery trade so they aim to be priced equal to your local garden center. I would say that the quality is often higher and you can't beat the customer service - plenty of young horticulturists to answer questions and help you lift it into your truck.

They have the same stuff you can find everywhere for the most part but there is always a group of oddball stuff that you've never heard of. They will also have some of the new colors of old garden standards - often a year or more before they hit the big time and everyone has them.

They do sell out. There is often a huge crowd when they first open. The Sunday pickings can be kinda slim but still worth the trip.

It is also worth it to walk around the arboretum while you're there.

I'll be going to this sale also.

The sale at JCRA is indeed the first time they have done this. The Pi Alpha Xi sale is the following weekend. Note that the plant list includes Black Bamboo which some one was asking about recently. The annual Bird House contest is also next weekend at the same time as the plant sale. By the way, there is a tremendous amount of great stuff in bloom at the Arboretum right now.

Thanks for the clarification. I'll be going to both! This is a great way to invest in the future of horticulture.
---Keith

Wow. This is excellent. Thanks for posting about this. I'm relatively new to the area. Both sales look great, but I'll be working during the PAX sale, so I'll be heading over this weekend!
sarah--