Valentine gift ideas bloom and grow bigger than ever at the “Horticultural Society of the Bahamas” (HSB) Annual Plant Sale set for Saturday, February 2, 9 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Bahamas National Trust’s headquarters, The Retreat, Village Road opposite Queen’s College..
Plant lovers fly in for the sale from all over the Bahamas. HSB President Dail Pearce heads the event. “Helping beautify the nation is one of the society’s goals. As a result, unusual pants and sound advice on growing them are featured at the Society’s popular sale each year.”
“It’s business as usual, and that’s about as good as it gets for a Bahamian Plant Sale,” says President Pearce.
“But, there is always something new to spark a gardener’s imagination at this sale” says Past President Dory Bowleg.
There will be special booths by Flamingo Nursery for orchids and supplies, Marina Greaves with her water garden features, Beryl Sheasby with her special Tillandsias, Dail Pearce with special Adeniums or Desert Roses and bedding plants and fruit trees from the Garden of Eden – Errol Strachan. Herbs and hanging baskets, bromeliads and orchids are always popular and in great supply.
Gardening Guru Sara Parker points out, “This HSB Plant sale is a great source of “Curb Appeal,” which makes that critical first impression a positive and memorable one. I recommend the bare root bromeliads which you can move around a new landscape until you get it right! The HSB sale has a large collection to choose from at very good prices. The BNT garden gives you great ideas on landscaping, too.”
“Say ‘Happy Valentines Day,’ with water plants, roses, orchids, or other exotic or bedding plants – all at amazingly good prices,” recommends former HSB president Eric Butler.
Even if you don’t have a Valentine in mind yet, restock your garden and prepare for Spring Fever and Easter, this Saturday at the big sale opposite Queen’s College. There is no admission charge
“We’ve kept the extended hours because of popular demand, but it is still smart to be one of the first in line for the opening. The best stuff goes fast,” added Mr. Butler.
“Members show off new skills and new plant life,” says Sara Parker, a founding member and host of the popular home and garden show, “Bahamas Realty Now,” which features the HSB sale as a good source for all important curb appeal.
Plants range in price from less than a dollar to more than $100 depending on size and rarity. HSB members grow the plants and label them for sale with 10per cent of the sale price going to the HSB.
Of special interest each year are hundreds, possibly thousands, of dramatic bromeliads, tiny tillandsias or “airplants” to gigantic hybrids with a five foot long leaf. Members also often donate bare root plants to the sale for landscaping.
No plants will be sold before 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, said Past President Cindy Wilde. She urges members to bring plants, labeled with proper sales tags, between 2 and 6 p.m. on Friday.
Savvy shoppers wear hats and sunscreen, arrive early and bring their own boxes, bags and trucks according to Past President Sarah Lobosky. Some help is available for transporting large plants to the parking, courtesy of Queen’s College.
Founded by the late Mrs. Sara Bardelmeier in 1984 the HSB conducts field trips and participates in horticultural shows.
The HSB now includes more than 100 members, including all the garden clubs, top horticulturalists, and family island growers. The Orchid Society and the HSB recently merged meaning even more exotic plants will be offered.
