Plant sale at botanic gardens

GREEN thumbs get ready to shop – Wollongong Botanic Garden’s nursery is having a one-off Saturday Greenplan Autumn Sale this weekend.

This means gardeners will be able to buy native and exotic plants at bargain prices.

Curator Wollongong Botanic Garden Paul Tracey says anyone who pays Wollongong City Council rates can come along and purchase up to 50 plants priced between $6 and $8.50.

“Normally we hold our Greenplan sales on a Friday, but it can be hard for working community members to make the most of what our nursery sells,” he said.

“We thought we’d open up the nursery on a Saturday to give everyone the chance to make the most of the fantastic growing season we have had.”

Mr Tracey said the gardens are well ahead of their usual production targets. On average, the nursery will produce around 80,000 plants a year. This year, they’re looking at hitting 90,000 plants.

These include plants suitable for frog ponds like the swamp lily, knobby club-rush and butterfly tussock, and others like the lilly pilly and native quince for bush tucker gardens. There are also popular exotic plants like lavender and gardenias.

“Our bumper plant season means we’ve got plants for everything from English cottage gardens, through to native and vegetable gardens,’’ he said.

“It’s testament to the skills of our team at the nursery. And, of course, our gardeners will be on hand on Saturday to offer gardening tips and advice and answer any questions people might have.’’

Wollongong Botanic Garden Greenplan Autumn Sale is on Saturday April 21 from 9am-1pm.

Wollongong Botanic Garden Nursery is located in Northfields Ave, Keiraville. Purchasers must have their rates notice. Payment by credit card, eftpos or cheque. Cash and American Express not accepted.