Annual Plant Show Set For Feb 13

Plant lovers  are gearing up for the much anticipated “Horticultural Society of the Bahamas” (HSB) Annual Plant Sale set for Sat. Feb. 13,  8 a.m to 1 p.m. at the Bahamas National Trust’s headquarters, The Retreat,Gardens, Village Road, opposite Queen’s College.

Plants range in price from a dollar to more than $100, depending on size and rarity. A huge section of $5 or less plants draws a crowd each year. HSB members grow the plants and label them for sale with 10 per cent of the sale price going to the HSB.

“Please note the change of date!” says HSB President and plant Sale Chairman Barbara Archer. Traditionally held on the first Saturday in February, the HSB sale has again been moved to the second Saturday of February due to a scheduling conflict at the BNT which now does it’s Pig Roast on the First Saturday of February.

“There is always something new to spark a gardener’s imagination at this HSB Sale” says HSB President Archer. She urges members to pay special attention to the condition of plants brought to the sale, “It always looks  like a plant show and we want to keep it that way!”

“Here’s your perfect chance to buy healthy, reasonably priced plants as Valentine’s Gifts!”  says Past Plant Sale Co-Chairman Sarah Lobosky, a past president and current officer for the HSB.

“It is smart to be one of the first in line for the opening.  The best stuff goes fast,” adds another Past President, Eric Butler. He adds, “Bring boxes!”

Plant lovers fly in for the sale from all over The Bahamas says HSB Past President Dail Pearce. “Helping beautify the nation is one of the society’s goals. As a result, unusual plants and sound advice on growing them are featured at the Society’s popular sale each year. It’s about as good as it gets for a Bahamian Plant Sale,” says Pearce.

“Say ‘Happy Valentines Day,’ with water plants, roses, orchids, or other exotic  or bedding plants – all at really good prices,” recommends Butler, who always brings a truck load of green goodies.

“Restock your garden and prepare for Spring Fever and Easter, Saturday Feb. 13  at the big sale opposite Queen’s College.  There is no admission charge,” reminds Past President Cindy Wilde.

There will be special booths by Flamingo Nursery for orchids and supplies, Marina Greaves with her water garden features,  Dail Pearce with  special Adeniums or Desert Roses and bedding plants and fruit trees from  the Errol Strachan’s Garden of Edem.  Herbs and hanging baskets, bromeliads and orchids are always popular and in  great supply.

Keith Parker and grandson Jaxon Parker Searcy feature fruit tree seedlings each year.

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.”

Mrs. Parker is a founding member of the HSB and hosts the popular home and garden show, “Bahamas Realty Now,” which in February will feature the HSB sale as a good source for all important curb appeal.

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 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, said Mrs. Archer. She urges members to bring plants, labeled with proper sales tags, on Friday Feb. 12 as none will be accepted on Sale Day.

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.

The HSB now includes more than 100 members, including members from all the local garden clubs, top horticulturalists, and family island growers.   Founded by the late Mrs. Sara Bardelmeier in 1984 the HSB conducts field trips and participates in horticultural shows.

By P.S. News /Features

Caption:
HSB VALENTINES PLANT SALE!–Get your Valentines’ Gifts and curb appeal at  The Horticultural Society of the Bahamas Annual Plant Sale, set for Saturday,  Feb. 14 from 8 am to 1 pm at the Bahamas National Trust’s headquarters, The Retreat, Village Road opposite Queen’s College. Founded by the late Mrs. Sara Bardelmeier in 1984 the HSB conducts field trips and participates in horticultural shows. Helping beautify the nation is one of the society’s goals. As a result, unusual plants and sound advice on growing them are featured at the Society’s popular sale each year. The HSB now includes more than 100 members, including, top horticulturalists, and family island growers. Plant Sale Committee members include: (from left)  Past President Dail Pearce, Secretary and Newsletter Editor Georgette Dames, President Barbara Archer,  Past President and Past Plant Sale Co Chairman Sarah Lobosky, Rochelle Smith and Alma Evans, and Sara Parker, not pictured.