This is the month when those hopeful winter gardening plans finally take root.
We picture beds bursting with color, paths edged with texture, and the unmistakable scent of new growth on the breeze. This is the time of year when one new plant can spark an idea for an entire corner of the yard.
That’s why so many people circle the date of the Highlands Mountain Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale well before the daffodils appear. This year’s sale will be held Saturday, May 23, from 9:00 A.M. to noon at the Highlands Ball Field, and it remains one of spring’s most anticipated mornings.
The appeal is easy to understand: these plants come from gardeners who know our mountains. Raised in native soil and tended with care, they’re already acclimated to the Plateau’s quirks – ready to settle into your yard without the uncertainty that can come with store-bought starts.
Shoppers will find an impressive range of native flowers and perennials, including pollinator favorites such as Bee Balm, Astilbe, Hostas, Ferns, Dahlia tubers, and plenty more. Whether you’re brightening one bed or dreaming up a full redesign, you’re likely to go home with something that fits.
And the Mountain Garden Club’s impact extends far beyond this single fundraiser. Throughout the year, volunteers quietly tend public spaces that add charm and color to everyday life. Several of the Plateau’s most familiar garden nooks exist thanks to their steady dedication.
One of the best-loved examples is the historic Old Jail on Maple Street, where our resident jailbird, J.B., is always dressed for the season. His outfits, ranging from wedding whites to Halloween mischief, are the handiwork of Garden Club members, who also recently refreshed his garden with mostly native plants. It’s worth a stroll 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, now in the midst of a thoughtful three-year redesign that’s making the space 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 real 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 better for it, too.
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