Pollinator-friendly Perennials Featured
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Migrating monarchs and changing leaves mean that it is time for another Fabulous Fall Plant Sale at the University of Tennessee (UT) Gardens, Knoxville! Open to the public on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT, the sale will feature pollinator-friendly plants, top performers and garden favorites. Members, UT employees, and gardens volunteers gain early access on Friday evening.
Through the years, visitors and plant sale attendees have continued to express their interest in plants that support pollinators and other wildlife, so this year’s sale will highlight native perennials that support wildlife in the garden. A few of our favorites include Clustered Mountain Mint, Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ and ‘Sweet as Honey’, and several coneflowers including the special cultivar ‘Ruby Star’.
Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. Planting now gives the plants time to establish strong roots before spring changes arrive. A few woody plants that will be featured include Kentucky Yellowwood trees, Arctic Fire red twig dogwood, and Fothergilla ‘Legend of the Small.’ Each of these provide outstanding seasonal interest throughout the year while also supporting wildlife.
Bird, butterfly and bee enthusiasts alike know that you must support all life stages to increase sightings and presence of your favorites. A tried-and-true way to do so is to plant a garden that incorporates shelter, access to water and a diverse selection of food sources. Plants like New England Aster are larval hosts for pearl crescent butterflies while evergreens like Cedar Rapids Hinoki Cypress may house nests of songbirds. Winterberry hollies have berries that add winter interest to the garden and provide food for birds. Find these, along with a variety of other perennials, trees and shrubs, at our fall sale. We will also have a selection of edible plants available to feed people, too!
Additionally, we’ll be selling irises from our collection, and the East Tennessee Daffodil Society will have daffodil bulbs available. Plant Curators, local houseplant specialists, will have a great selection of unique kokedama and plants available on Friday evening. Curzon Botanicals will have carnivorous plants both days. Our anticipated inventory list is available on our website, utgardens.tennessee.edu/Knoxville.
All members, including those who join during the sale, receive a 10% discount on their purchase on both Friday evening (4 p.m.-7 p.m.) and on Saturday. For more information about membership or to join early, visit our website and click “support the gardens.” We highly recommend bringing the following for a great plant sale experience: your UT Gardens membership card; preferred method of payment (cash, check or credit card accepted); shopping tote and wagon; and a hat.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.