Rowan Master Gardeners

The Rowan County Master Gardeners 19th Annual Plant Sale and Swap will be held Saturday morning, May 2, at the Agricultural Center, 2727 Old Concord Road.

Open to the public, the plant sale begins at 8:30 a.m. with no early browsing or plant selection. The sale and swap will conclude at noon.

The sale and swap will be outdoors rain or shine in and around the greenhouse. All sales will be cash or check. In addition to the sale and swap, there will be a silent auction featuring plants, garden supplies, books, home décor and many other items.

Plant sale plants are donated by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers from their own gardens or propagated from their favorite plants. There are camellias, crepe myrtles, gardenias, azaleas, hydrangeas and many other shrubs to choose from. Among the plants are favorite perennials like hosta, bee balm, asters, daisies and groundcovers.

You will find many of the plants for sale featured in the Pocket Gardens around the Extension Office.

This year, the Master Gardeners received special gifts from two area gardeners. Nancy and Jack Bilson, well known day lily enthusiasts, have donated a selection of named day lilies. The lilies will be identified by name and color. Care instructions are also included. Melissa and Brandon Sleigh have donated a collection of red maple seedling from Dead Ends Gardens in Kannapolis.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist you with your selections. Information on care will be available for all the plants featured at the sale.

The plant swap will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 11:00 or until all plants are swapped. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. The plant swap is for perennials only. This swap is a chance for you to select unusual plants for your home gardens to share with others. Exceptional plants are always in demand. Take time several days before the swap to select the plants you plan to bring to the swap.

This year, the Master Gardeners request that you limit the plant size to a 10-inch post or smaller. The group cannot accommodate huge root balls of iris, lilies or other plants that are not easily divided. Those plants are best shared as pass-a-long plants with friends and family. 

Dividing plants is easy and good for the plants, as they become mature and crowded. By taking time to divide the plants, you will increase quantity and quality of blooms. Now is an excellent time to divide perennials.

To lessen shock of the plants as they are being transplanted, try to choose a cool, overcast day. Depending on the plant characteristics, there are several methods to use for division. Use a sharp spade or knife to remove portions of the crown for perennials such as coral bells. This will ensure that sufficient roots are available to support each new plant. When the entire plant is dug up, the result is usually more pleasing to the eye. The plant is then divided into pieces with one division replanted in the original location. Sedums, hosta and daylilies respond well to this method. Many other perennials drop seeds (columbine, blackberry lily, hellebores and campanula) so that you need only dig up the volunteers and relocate them.

Creeping perennials often root sections away from the center of the plant. Carefully dig up the rooted section and disentangle it from the main plant.

In all cases, prepare the new location by loosening the soil and adding amendments if necessary. Plant the division at the same depth as the original plant and water thoroughly. It will be necessary to water the new plantings until they are established. After dividing, plan on bringing any surplus plants to the swap.

For those entering the plant swap, the following guidelines apply:

• Plants must be healthy, free from insects and disease, and in containers no larger than 10 inches. 

• Containers must be labeled with plant name, growing conditions and name of person swapping plant. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help with identification and care information.

• Each person may swap up to five plants, but no more than two of the same type.

• There will be a $1 fee per person to participate in the swap.

• Bring only plants that you would enjoy receiving from the swap. Avoid undesirable plants such tree seedlings, common liriope, ivy, etc. Master Gardeners reserve the right to reject any swap plants deemed not worthy.

All proceeds from the sale and swap are used for activities of the Rowan County Extension Programs and the Rowan County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. While you are on campus take time to walk through the award-winning pocket gardens.

For more information about the Rowan County Master Gardener Volunteer program, its calendar of events, information for beginner gardeners and more, log on to the group’s website at www.rowanmastergardener.com