Now that spring is finally upon us and the weather is turning brighter, people are turning their attentions outside to the garden. Whether you have a backyard, patio or balcony you’ll find something to brighten it at the Annual VanDusen Botanical Garden Plant Sale.
Sunday, April 29th is Plant Sale Day – the day when the gates are thrown open and thousands of ‘Plantmaniacs’ (gardeners) storm the Garden to indulge their addiction. Four hundred volunteers work year-round to produce the Sale – the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver featuring more than 40,000 individual plants arranged into various categories such as Herbs and Vegetables, Roses, Pot Luck, Grasses, Vines, Trees and Shrubs, Perennials, and Native Plants. The Plant Sale is the major fundraiser for VanDusen Botanical Garden Association, the non-profit charity that is one of two organizations that 
operate the Garden.
While loaded with plants suitable for all types and sizes of gardens; this year’s Plant Sale has chosen the theme of Small Space Gardens. Each Plant Sale section will highlight recommendations for plants that are specially suited to containers and small space gardens. Gardeners will still find tons of ‘non-container’ plants at the Sale – the theme is just a way of recognizing a particular segment of the plant material available. “With so many people living in apartments, condo towers and town-houses, we thought it would be a good idea to show the variety of plants that can be grown in limited space. Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to go without a garden,” says Plant Sale Chair Joan Ouellette.
Plant Sale Essentials:
- Van Dusen Gardens is located at 5251 Oak St (at W 37th Ave)
- Date: Sunday, Apr. 29 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (line-up has been known to start as early as 6am)
- Bring something in which to carry purchases – wheelbarrow, wagon, husband/wife
- Dress for the weather
- Wear appropriate footwear, the ground is uneven and can be muddy
- Plant Hold and Plant Pick-Up available
- Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash and cheque accepted
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, Master Gardeners and Volunteers are on hand to help you
- Parking is at a premium, be prepared to walk
- Admission to VanDusen is free on Plant Sale Day
Who doesn’t love a great sale! Start cleaning up the yard this weekend to make space for your plant bargains!
If you can’t make it to the Plant Sale, don’t worry the Garden’s new Plant Patio in the Garden Shop is now open.
Formerly located on the old entrance deck to the Garden, the Plant Patio has been relocated to a specially designed area adjacent to The Garden Shop in VanDusen’s new Visitor Centre.
The Plant Patio has long been considered a prime place in which to purchase rare and unusual plant material. It also stocks a full range of perennials, ornamentals, as well as vegetable / herb starters, container plants and trees.
Whether you are an avid plant collector, beginner gardener or green-thumb challenged, the Garden Shop’s Plant Patio is sure to have just the right plant for you.
The Garden Shop and Plant Patio are open daily from 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. in April and 8 p.m. in May.