Boyce Thompson Arboretum Plant Sale to Open

Paul Wolterbeek
Oct. 9, 2012

Where can you get bounds of plants like weeping bottlebrush, blue mist and desert marigold? Or what about Lynnea and Preston, and different species and cultivars from Madagascar, an island off the southeastern coast of Africa?

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum has all this and more this month.

October is Fall Plant Sale month at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which also has numerous other events planned.

The annual sale opens with a members-only preview Oct. 12. The sale will be open to the general public Oct. 13-28. Also, the regular $9 admission fee will be waived Oct. 12-28 for all CatCard carrying students, faculty and staff.

The Arboretum, which is affiliated with the UA College of Agriculture And Life Sciences, is a 90-minutes drive from the main campus. Leashed and well-behaved pets are welcome. Visitors can explore the scenic gardens and walk more than two miles of paths and trails

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum's annual members save 20 percent shopping during the opening weekend of the big plant sale fundraiser and have "the pick of the litter" on Oct. 12 when the plant sale is open one day early for members-only shopping. To view the list of plants, visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum's planet sale page. To view other events, visit the Arboretum's general site.

Annual membership is $45 for a couple, $60 for the family level membership, including dependent children or grandchildren living at your home.

Annual plant sale fundraisers generate revenue to support the nonprofit Boyce Thompson Arboretum and its mission of desert plant conservation, education and research. The event is also a great time to add color and accent plants to your landscape.

Guided birdwalks resume in October and a history walk will be held on Oct. 6. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum also will hold a mesquite flour grinding class Oct. 13, nature walks and many weekend events, which are included with daily admission of $9 for adults. Daily admission for children aged 5-12 is $4.50. Also, specialized classes cost $20-$40.

To learn more, or to register for classes, call 520-689-2723 during daytime business, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum on its Facebook page and sign up to receive its e-newsletter by writing kstone@cals.arizona.edu with "BTA Newsletter -- Kim, please add me"  in the subject line.

Photo credit: "Agave Abstract" by David Hannon

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