Kick off your 2023 gardening season with Bullington’s selection of annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials, shrubs and trees. Bullington Gardens, a horticultural education center and public botanical garden, holds its annual spring plant sale from April 27 through April 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year Bullington has paid special attention to balancing the reliability of tried-and-true varieties with the novelty of new offerings. Bullington’s horticultural experts aspired to grow unusual trees that have a proven history in Western North Carolina such as the Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum.) This understory tree once grew widely in North American and Europe before becoming extinct. Since 1865, it has been grown in specialty nurseries, arboretums, and gardens. The species Bullington offers, C japonicaum ‘Claim Jumper,’ has golden, heart-shaped foliage and matures to 30 feet high by 15 feet wide. It does well with late afternoon sun protection to avoid foliage burn as is typical for many yellow-leaved plants. It also does best in moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Its special bonus is the delightful cotton candy smell it produces in the fall.
As a partner with Bee City USA, Bullington Gardens promotes native plants for the health of pollinators. The plant sale features Callicarpa, Calycanthus, Aronia and Rhododendron, plus many other native perennials which benefit the bees and butterflies.
Some of the reliable, favorite perennials are making a comeback with new and improved cultivars. ‘Ultraviolet’ phlox, ‘Pink-a-Blue’ pulmonaria, and 'Ballerina Pink’ salvia from the Fashionista Collection are new introductions this year. Unique herbs and vegetable starts, such as Poamoho Eggplant, Chocolate Pear tomato, and Jimmy Nardello pepper are also available.
A dedicated team of volunteers and professional horticultural staff grow plants and maintain Bullington’s 12 acres of gardens, grounds and its popular Fairy Trail. All plant sale proceeds benefit Bullington’s mission to educate and inspire children and adults in horticulture, the natural sciences and integrated disciplines.
Come with a sense of adventure and nostalgia. Bullington Gardens is located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail in Hendersonville.
