Summary

Pictured: A rose at the annual Rose Society Exhibit at the North Carolina Arboretum. The show takes place May 30 and 31 this year. See below for details. Photo credit Michael Oppenheim.

March 7–May 17
RARE: Imperiled Plants of Colorado
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver, Colo.
This juried exhibit features 40 contemporary illustrations of Colorado rare plants by members of the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists. Designed to promote awareness and conservation of these special plants, the exhibit will travel the state in 2009 and 2010.

March 7–May 31
Spring Butterfly Exhibit
Desert Botanical Gardens
Phoenix, Ariz.
Butterflies fill the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion. Special displays feature butterfly hosts plants and up-close looks at butterflies. Coincides with the garden’s exhibit of the renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s blown glass sculptures.

May 2–September 20
Wings of Fancy
Brookside Gardens
Wheaton, Md.
Come to this annual live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit. This year the focus is on butterflies in your backyard and the host plants that local caterpillars need in order to survive and thrive. Learn about the life cycle of these amazing creatures, and be surrounded by hundreds of North American, Costa Rican and Asian butterflies flying freely inside a the Conservatory.

May 2–October 30
Moore in America
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta, Ga.
Moore in America, the landmark exhibition of monumental works by famed English sculptor Henry Moore, is coming to the Atlanta Botanical Garden this spring. This collection of 20 major works, primarily cast in bronze, will be positioned throughout the lush plantings of the garden.

May 9
INPAWS Native Plant Sale and Auction
Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society
Trinity/St. Richard’s Church & School
Indianapolis, Ind.
The place to learn about Indiana’s native plants is the annual Native Plant Sale and Auction, sponsored by the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS). Proceeds from the sale support the INPAWS mission of preserving Indiana’s rich botanical heritage and educating the public about native plants. The plant sale is a great place to find native plants not readily available at garden centers. Woodland, prairie, wetland plants, trees and shrubs will be sold, as well as books about native plants and wildflowers. The sale offers a wonderful opportunity to share information and camaraderie with other native plant enthusiasts. 

May 12
Gardening in the Mountains: Gardening for Tough Times
North Carolina Arboretum
Asheville, N.C.
This informative program is offered in cooperation with Buncombe County Cooperative Extension and regional Master Gardeners. 

May 15–17
A Bloomin’ Sale
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, Ill.
The theme is “Growing Green,” with a focus on sustainable gardening. More than 30,000 annuals, ferns, fruit and vegetable plants, geraniums, herbs, native wildflowers, grasses, perennials, shrubs and vines will be available.

May 23
Plant Sale
Cloverleaf Garden Club of Mississauga
Port Credit Library
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Great perennial plants at great prices, all locally grown.

May 23–25
Community Free Days
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cleveland, Ohio
The Garden will be open for free to the general public for three days this spring, over Memorial Day Weekend. Says Executive Director Natalie Ronayne, “We are offering the community a holiday weekend ‘stay-cation’ and the opportunity to experience some collective stress relief with family and friends in a year when everyone seems to need it. Whether for the first time or the fiftieth, we hope our guests will enjoy the beauty and serenity of the gardens at the peak of spring bloom and leave feeling inspired and invigorated.”

May 30
Herb Faire
Boerner Botanical Gardens
Hales Corner, Wisc.
The Wisconsin Unit of the Herb Society of America puts on this celebration of herbs and herb gardening

May 30–31
Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society Annual Exhibit
North Carolina Arboretum
Asheville, N.C.
Many varieties of roses will be on display in the Education Center.  Experts will provide programs and rose plants will be for sale.

E-mail us your events. Allow several weeks for posting. To post information immediately on your own, please visit our forum and post your event in the appropriate Regions section. (You must register and log in first. Registration is free.)