Spring Plant Auction in Vernon to Benefit NVCC Students

f you're looking for great trees, shrubs and perennials at prices that are easy on the pocketbook, then you'll want to attend the Connecticut Horticultural Society's annual spring plant sale and auction May 11 at 7 p.m. at the Tolland County Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Ave., Vernon.

Admission is free, and proceeds from the sale of plants support scholarships for horticulture students at the University of Connecticut and Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for viewing the beautiful, healthy and in some cases hard-to-find plants donated by Connecticut nursery owners. CHS members contribute from their own gardens woody and herbaceous plants, bulbs, wildflowers and more. Unusual and sought-after cultivars are always among the offerings.

The fun begins with the plant sale promptly at 7 p.m., when attendees leave their seats to scoop up member-donated plants at bargain prices (50 cents to $5) -- sort of in the fashion of a Filene's Basement sale. The auction begins at 7:15 p.m.

Thanks to the commentary of the expert nurserymen and –women who volunteer as auctioneers, the evening is always informative and good for some laughs. To keep bidders and auctioneers fueled, light refreshments are provided.

The CHS spring and fall plant auctions are the main ways in which the society raises money for its scholarship fund. Since its inception in 1959, the fund has awarded about $150,000 in scholarships

“The plant auction is an inexpensive way to pick up some beautiful plants and useful plant tips, while also supporting students who are the future of horticulture in Connecticut,” says Leslie Shields, CHS auction committee co-chair.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation of plants, contact Shields at 860-747-8175 or selchie1@comcast.net. For more information, visit www.cthort.org.

The Connecticut Horticultural Society, based in Rocky Hill, is a nonprofit, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of horticulture. New members are welcome.