Gardeners across the community are sketching out the first hopeful plans of spring.
For many, this is the season when imagination takes root. We picture beds bursting with color, pathways edged with texture, and that unmistakable scent of new growth drifting through the yard. It’s the time of year when a single plant can spark a whole new idea for a corner of the garden.
That’s why so many of us circle the date of the Highlands Mountain Garden Club’s annual plant sale long before the daffodils bloom. This year’s sale will be held Saturday, May 23, from 9:00 A.M. to noon at the Town Ball Field, and it remains one of the most anticipated mornings of the spring.
The appeal is simple: these plants come from the hands of gardeners who know our mountains well. Grown in native soil and tended with care, they’re already acclimated to the Plateau’s quirks – meaning they’re ready to settle right into your yard without the uncertainty that comes with store-bought starts.
Browsers will find an impressive selection of native flowers and perennials, including pollinator favorites such as bee balm, astilbe, hostas, ferns, dahlia tubers, and plenty more. Whether you’re refreshing a single spot or dreaming up a full redesign, you’ll have no trouble finding something that fits.
But the Mountain Garden Club’s impact doesn’t begin and end with this one fundraiser. Their volunteers work quietly and consistently throughout the year, tending public spaces that bring charm and color to everyday life. Several of the Plateau’s most familiar garden nooks exist thanks to their dedication.
One of the most beloved examples is the historic Old Jail on Maple Street, where our resident jailbird, J.B., is always dressed for the season. His wardrobe changes – from wedding whites to Halloween mischief – and are the handiwork of Garden Club members, who also recently refreshed his garden with mostly native plants. It’s worth a stroll just to admire the update and pick up a few ideas for your own yard.
The club also cares for the garden at the Eckerd Center, currently in the midst of a thoughtful three-year redesign that’s transforming the space into an even more welcoming retreat. Add in their work at the Highlands School Garden, which they reimagined and replanted two years ago, and it’s clear this group pours heart and energy into the community.
So, mark your calendar, grab a basket, and join them at the annual plant sale. Every purchase supports community gardens, local events, and scholarships for area students – and your own garden will be all the better for it.
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