NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ—An extensive array of blossoming flowers, unique succulents, and various garden plants will be available to the public on the weekend of May 12-14 at Rutgers Gardens.

Organizers of the annual event are offering an increased selection of unusual and hard-to-find plants, but will have plenty of familiar favorites on hand, and offer a variety of plants to help provide solutions to difficult home garden sites.

Plants available include:

  • Trees and Shrubs
  • Herbaceous Perennials
  • Ornamental Grasses and Bamboos
  • Vines
  • “Fun and Wacky” Annuals
  • Herbs
  • Vegetables and Fruits (Beans to Tomatillo Tomatoes)

For several days, experts and volunteers have worked together to prepare the impressive stock and mark items with prices and informational labels. 

Admission is free to the annual event, with sales benefiting the Rutgers Gardens Student Internship Program – a hands-on educational experience for students in the summer.

According to the Rutgers Gardens website, the student internship opportunities, “…cover a wide spectrum of experiences, from developing understanding of how a public garden serves the community, to learning various horticultural techniques, to teaching children about the environment and plant-people interactions.”

The sale is advertised to take place rain or shine – the schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 12 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Sale open to the general public.

Saturday, May 13 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Sale open to the general public.

Sunday, May 14 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Sale open to the general public. (Mothers Day Special: Bring Mom to the Gardens between 12 and 2 pm to plant a succulent terrarium.)

A special preview event on Thursday, May 11 offers the opportunity for those with paid Rutgers Gardens memberships to peruse and purchase items before the three day public sale.

 The breathtaking sights and smells throughout the gardens are a popular attraction for families and outdoor enthuiasts as well as photographers and filmmakers. 

Rutgers Gardens is one of the few botanical gardens in the country that does not charge a visitor’s fee and is open 365 days a year.

Location: Rutgers Gardens (at the Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion in the Gardens): 140 Log Cabin Road, East Brunswick, NJ

More info about the Rutgers Gardens sale can be found at: http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/springflowerfair.html

Reporter at New Brunswick Today | bclapp@nb.today