Plant sale successful despite cold weather

The eighth annual Master Gardeners plant sale, held Friday and Saturday at the Missouri Conservation Shelter at Arena Park, "went really well" except for Saturday's weather, said Fran Haupt, Master Gardener.

Friday "was gorgeous," she said. "We even had a woman come from Tennessee to the sale. She was so excited. She said she saw it on the Internet."

Despite the overcast conditions and a temperature of 45 degrees, sales were good, with herbs, aquatic plants and combination planters sold out. Tables and benches that were packed Friday had dwindled the next day but full and colorful blooms still persuaded shoppers to make purchases.

Repeat customers added to the sale's success.

Judy Rayburn of Cape Girardeau comes every year. "I love their flowers, prices are good and the people are wonderful. They help you pick them out and figure out where to plant," she said. It was the first year she invited her sister from Bloomfield, Mo., along.

Plans for the flowers and herbs Thompson purchased included landscaping at the Advance Nursing Center, where her mother lives. "She really enjoys them. We did it last year and we'll do it again this year. They're very healthy and a good price," she said.

Thompson planned on keeping the plants in her garage until the next nice day, when she could plant.

Plant sale coordinator Anne Foust got her wish for a rain-free sale this year. Friday's weather was mainly clear with temperatures between 49 and 66 degrees. "Shoppers came in early yesterday, around noon, and we sold a lot. All the floor space was covered. The next place we'll sell plants will be at the Wholistic Fair, April 26 at the VFW hall," Haupt said Saturday.

Gardeners recommended keeping plants inside during Saturday's low temperatures. "These plants have been grown in greenhouses. They're not used to being in wind and can snap," Master Gardener Jean Miller said.

Haupt said, "The wind chill dries the leaves out."

Particularly fragile plants at the sale were impatiens, sweet potato vines, black-eyed Susans, torenia, basil, coleus and mandevilla. Those plants should be exposed to the outdoors slowly.

New this year, a free goldfish accompanied the purchase of aquatic plants. Fern bowls were supposed to make their debut, but when power went out at the greenhouse during the ice storm, they became dormant. These and more combination planters should be available at the Wholistic Fair.

Master Gardeners helped shoppers learn how to make their own combination planters at a demonstration Saturday. "We noticed the purple millet wasn't moving and pulled out a large tub, placing it and other plants that work well together altogether so people could get a better idea of how to make their own combination planters," said Master Gardener Charlene Williams.

Handouts on landscaping with containers were available. Basic guidelines included thriller plants like coleus for drama, tall plants like canna or ornamental grasses for background, spiller plants like lotus vine for trailing and salvia or diascia for filler.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

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