The Spring Plant Sale Continues

By Lauren Sims

Thanks to all who shopped at our fund-raising Spring Plant Sale. Duke Gardens raised roughly $10,000 after expenses. And the preview sale for members drew our highest gross ever. The preview also attracted new members who wanted first dibs on the wide array of plants -- including about 40 Duke employees who took advantage of a membership discount.

If you missed the sale, all is not lost. There are still some fabulous plants available at the Gardens' Terrace Shop, just waiting for you to give them a loving home. And for an added "Duke appreciation" perk, Duke employees may have a 20 percent discount on these plants from May 18 through May 25. (Update: this sale is now open to the general public & the plants will remain on sale until they're gone.)

There are a collection of colorful hanging baskets to choose from, full of flowers such as pink verbena.

We also have the stokesia 'Mary Gregory,' which will have a feathery yellow bloom.

The kaleidoscope abelia is a great option and always keeps you guessing; its leaves change color throughout the year.

There are some gorgeous bushes available, like the red-tipped cleyera japonica or santolina.

Cleyera japonica

Santolina

And we have a selection of the ever-popular hostas (see our hosta video) and the hardy banana plant.

Banana

If you're looking to attract wildlife to your garden, come check out the Joe Pye weed (which your neighborhood butterflies will love) and nepeta “catnip,” (which will please both the cats and the bees).

Joe Pye Weed

Nepeta 'Catnip'

(cats love it)

And if you’re looking to attract the envious glances of your neighbors, you can’t beat the sheer beauty of plants like the camellia, the spice rose, and the peony 'Scarlett O’Hara.'

Spice Rose

Duke Gardens can also help you stock your edible gardens this season. We still have a wide variety of herbs available, including rosemary, oregano, lavender, chives, chamomile and sweet basil.

Add that to our squash plants and blueberry bushes, and you are well on your way to a delectable summer garden!

Blueberry