Arboretum hosting annual fall plant sale

Celebrate the arrival of autumn by visiting the fall plant sale at the Wood County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Quitman. 

The popular fundraising event is Saturday, Oct. 12 on the arboretum grounds, 175 Gov. Hogg Pkwy. and is one of several Saturday events at Gov. Jim Hogg Park. Wood County Electric Co-op kicks off its Fall Fest, Stitchin’ Heaven has a quilt show and the Quitman Farmers Market will be set up.

The combined events are expected to feature a children’s bounce house, face painting, corn hole, music, a hotdog lunch and more, with support also from the Quitman Chamber of Commerce. 

Some quilts are to be on display in the arboretum, weather permitting, and in the historic Stinson House will feature guided tours from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

As part of the festivities, the arboretum is gearing up to roll out an eye-popping array of Texas tough plants and seasonal favorites, said Lin Grado, garden manager.

“We’re going to have some great shrubs and grasses, plus heirloom bulbs that are loved by East Texas gardeners,” she said. “Fall is the perfect time for planting – we expect to have a great sale this year.”

Buying opportunities kick off with a members-only presale planned for 4-6 p.m. Friday, followed by the actual sale, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. the following day. 

Stock will be replenished ahead of the Saturday sale. The presale is intended as a gesture of appreciation to members for supporting the arboretum.

Annual memberships start at $25 and include discounts on plant purchases. Visitors can join via the arboretum’s website, www.woodcountyarbo.org, in advance of the sale, or on Friday evening to take advantage of pre-sale buying opportunities. 

Proceeds support the care and upkeep of the arboretum.

“Our memberships are a critical source of funding for the arboretum,” said Deanna Caldwell, president of Friends of the Arboretum, the governing non-profit. “We appreciate the support from the community and look forward to seeing many familiar faces at our sale.”

Many projects are offered throughout the year at the arboretum, a 23-acre garden venue featuring a walking trail, theme gardens, tribute plantings and Monarch way station. 

For more information about the arboretum, visit the website. Information is also available by phone at 430-235-5461 or email, woodcountyarbo@gmail.com. 

-Jacque Hilburn-Simmons