The Tropical Candelabra Bush Is This Year’s Featured Plant
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Step into a gardener’s paradise at the annual Spring Spectacular Plant Sale supporting the UT Gardens, Knoxville. Shoppers should plan to visit on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. EDT for this highly anticipated event offering beautiful plants for a great cause.
A diverse and exciting sale inventory will offer something for everyone from seasoned growers to beginners. Native plants, flowering and fruit-bearing shrubs, perennials, annuals, early vegetable plants, herbs, trees and more will be available. Knowledgeable staff and local master gardeners will be on hand to offer advice and encouragement.
The featured plant this spring is the tropical candelabra bush (Senna alata), prized for its unique late-season blooms and ease of growth. “The candlestick-like, bold yellow blooms in early September are worth their weight in gold,” said Jennifer Northam, UT Gardens collections manager. “These plants are not only gorgeous, but the flowers also provide nutritious pollen for foraging insects. The leaves also serve as food for multiple species of sulphur butterfly caterpillars.”
A preview sale will be held on Friday, April 4, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. for all UT Gardens’ members, Gardens’ volunteers and UT employees. Garden members receive a 10% discount on all purchases. Memberships can be purchased at the sale with an immediate discount on plants. All proceeds directly benefit the UT Gardens, Knoxville.
The UT Gardens, Knoxville, is located on the UT Agriculture campus at Neyland and Jacob Drives. For a list of the huge selection of plants on sale, including prices, or to a become a member prior to your visit, please go to the UT Gardens website: utgardens.tennessee.edu. Click on the location tab for information about the Knoxville location.
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.