Spring Affair plant sale is April 23

With more than 35,000 plants representing nearly 650 varieties, the 19th Annual Spring Affair Plant Sale is sure to satisfy the gardener's needs.

The sale opens its doors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 in the Lancaster Building at Lincoln's State Fair Park. Admission to the sale is free.

Each year, Spring Affair sells thousands of plants, some not typically found in garden centers. The event also allows the public access to local experts for gardening ideas and advice. A number of vendors of garden art, sculptures, furniture and other items also sell their merchandise at Spring Affair.

Plants are provided by Bluebird Nursery of Clarkson and are chosen by local horticulture experts for their suitability to the local climate, their uniqueness or because of popular demand. Most of the plants are perennials but some are annuals, such as herbs. Typical garden center plants such as zinnias, marigolds or petunias are not among the plants offered for sale because of their easy availability elsewhere.

Among the plants ordered by Laurence Ballard of UNL Landscape Services are water garden and pond plants suitable for wet or boggy areas, some new varieties of Gaillardia "fanfare" and Echinacea "mango" featuring new colors and petal shapes; and Brunnera "Jack Frost," which features a "frosty" foliage.

This year's theme is "At Home in the Garden." Herbs, plants for shade, part-shade or sunny locations, and rock and trough gardens fill the plant lists. A complete listing of plants, sorted alphabetically by scientific name, can be found at http://springaffair.unl.edu. Plant prices are $2.50 for a 3-inch pot, $4.50 for a 4-inch pot and $7 for a 6-inch pot. Some large or rare specimens may be priced slightly higher.

Seven free public seminars occur during the day; four will occur in the Beef Pit building and three in the UNL Building. Beef Pit seminars are: 10 a.m., "Restful Outdoor Space," Todd Morrissey, Metro Community College; 11:30, "Healing Gardens" Bryan Kinghorn, Kinghorn Gardens; 1 p.m., "Interesting Plants," Harlan Hamernik, Bluebird Nursery; 2:30, "Anything and Everything: Panel Discussion with Local Experts," George Edgar, Hamernik, Gladys Jeurink and Jim Locklear. UNL Building seminars: 10 a.m., "Structure in the Garden," Richard Sutton, UNL; 11:30, "Children and Wildlife: Spaces to Play," Susan Schoneweis, UNL; 1 p.m. "Changing Old Landscapes to New," Justin Evertson, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

Spring Affair is co-sponsored by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, State Fair Park and the UNL Botanical Garden and Arboretum, who share proceeds.

A separate fundraising event occurs April 22, the night before the plant sale. The Spring Affair Preview Party offers a catered meal, silent auction and early-bird access to the plant sale. This fund-raiser event, sponsored by Friends of the UNL Gardens, costs $35 per person and is by reservation only. The reservation deadline is April 18.

More information about Spring Affair or the Preview Party can be found at http://springaffair.unl.edu or by calling (402) 472-2679.

CONTACT: Carol Bom, Landscape Services, (402) 472-2679