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Pearls a-plenty at 30th annual plant sale
You don't have to raid Davy Jones' locker or break the bank to take home treasured pearls on Sunday, April 27th when VanDusen Botanical Garden holds its 30th annual Plant Sale - the largest in the lowermainland.
Pearls are the symbol of a 30th anniversary and this year's Plant Sale Committee has taken the symbol to heart through featuring many plants that either contain the word 'pearl' in their name, or are a white, pink or luminescent colour.
For instance, the shrub Exocorda macrantha 'The Bride', also known as Pearl Bush, is one of the Sale's highlighted plants. It will be featured in the special 'Pearl of a Garden' display being created by garden designer Donna Guillemin. It will also be found for sale in the Trees and Shrubs section along with other treasures such as Camelia japonica 'The Pearl' and Choisya 'Aztec Pearl.' Over in the Fuchsia section, lucky gardeners can pick up the beautiful 'Deutsche Perle' variety.
While in Perennials and Pot Luck you'll be able to pick up Anaphalis margarita 'Pearly Everlasting,' Polygonatum 'Solomon's Seal and the ever-popular Convallaria 'Lily of the Valley.'
There will be more than 125 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas available at this year's Sale, many of which are not readily available at local nurseries. A few of the featured 'pearls' include: 'Cunningham's White' (white flowers enhanced by a greenish yellowtinge), 'Gomer Water' (delicate pink flower buds that open to white), 'Sir Charles Lemon' (pure white flowers and handsome foliage), 'Yakushimanum Hoppy' (white-pink flowers with yellow spots) and 'Yaku Angel' (pink in bud opening to white).
All in all, more than 40,000 plants are offered for sale in a number of categories including Fruit Trees & Berries, Herbs, Orchids, Roses, Vines, Pelargoniums (Geraniums), Alpines, Succulents & Cacti, Tropicals, Native Plants and Pot Luck to name a few in addition to
Rhododendrons, Fuchsias, Perennials and Trees & Shrubs.
VanDusen's Master Gardeners will be on hand to share their 'pearls of wisdom' with expert advice on plant selection, plant care, disease prevention and treatment.
While, trays and boxes to facilitate carrying your "living treasures" are available at several locations throughout the Sale, attendees are encouraged to bring wagons, carts or wheelbarrows for ease of transport. The Plant Hold area is available for you to safely check
your 'finds' while you go in search of more, or take a stroll in the Garden. Plant Pick-Up facilitates easy loading of your vehicle.
As a special treat, Dal Richards and his band will be entertaining attendees from 1 to 3 p.m. at the far end of the Great Lawn. He promises to play favourites such as 'String of Pearls.' So bring the family and make a day of it at the Garden – here's plenty to see, to
do, to hear and to eat on Plant Sale Day at VanDusen.
The 30th Annual VanDusen Plant Sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th and admission to VanDusen Botanical Garden is free that day. For more information visit www.vandusengarden.org
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