Spring Shopping Duo

Post first published March 8th: Ah, Spring … the time of year when young mens’ fancy turns to thoughts of love – and  propagators of succulents put their wares on sale! Two local sales in particular will set this young man’s (say nothing) fancy aflutter: Buck Hemenway’s Garden Tour and Sale and the UCR Botanic Garden’s Spring Sale. Having been to both sales in the past, I can say you shouldn’t miss either if you love succulents. Both sales are on the same weekend:  Saturday and Sunday, March 31 and April 1 … And, I would suggest that the fickle and commitment-phobic make it easy on themselves and go to both. Each will have amazing succulents on offer – at great, direct-from-the-grower, prices – and each offers a chance to see succulents, some of them rare, in use in their respective garden settings. Hemenway’s sale is held at his home and it’s an inspiration for those who wish to make the change to low-water planting, as well as for long-time succulent devotees. Another bonus: He and his wife Yvonne are walking founts of information, which they share willingly! The UCR sale offers a wider range of plant material as well as access to the cactus/succulent gardens and others … and, like at the Hemenway sale, experts are available for questions.  Having two terrific plant sales on the same weekend? That’s a win-win situation! Here’re the particulars

Buck & Yvonne Hemenway’s Annual Garden Tour and Sale; Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1; 9am to 5pm; 5890 Grinnell Drive, Riverside CA, 92509; 951.360.8802; Click for website here.

UCR Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale; Saturday, March 31, 11am to 4pm and Sunday, April 1; 9am to 3pm; (Preview sale for Friends of UCRBG members only, Saturday, March 31, 9am to 11pm; For address and other particulars check their website at www.gardens.ucr.edu