Rare Plant Auction is the Event of the Year for Plant Geeks

This Saturday I am honored to be the emcee at the 31st Annual Rare Plant Auction® being held at Longwood Gardens.

It's the who's who of plants and the people who love them and are looking for unusual, newly-introduced or difficult to propagate specimens - like Itoh peonies and a brand new never before released Clivia.

Hundreds of plant lovers from across the nation plan their calendars around this annual event.

This year's celebrated plant expert is Gordon Collier, a plantsman extraordinaire from New Zealand.

On display and up for auction will be more than 400 carefully researched rare plants contributed by plant connoisseurs from around the country. Donors include such names as Dan Hinkley, Dan Benarcik, and David Culp along with nurseries like North Creek and Peace Tree Farm.

This gala evening at Longwood Gardens raises more than $100,000 each year. All proceeds benefit Delaware Center for Horticulture’s Community Greening Program, which uses horticulture to beautify Delaware and to improve the quality of life for residents in urban neighborhoods.

Anyone can attend. Tickets range from $100 for a first timer to $500 to be in the Clivia Club for a special preview reception. Email Joe Matassino for details jmatassino@thedch.org.

Suzi, Garden Media Group