Plant It Forward

If you’re itching to dig, or just pining for spring, there’s an array of regional plant sales this season, where you’ll find everything from the rare and illusive to the tried-and-true. Many of these events are also fund-raisers that support worthy causes, from college scholarships and public education to conservation efforts.

WNC Orchid Society Show  
March 29 & 30 | Asheville
This juried showcase features orchids and supplies for sale by world-class vendors from around the country and regional societies. Proceeds from this year’s event, themed “Trails of Orchids,” benefit the North Carolina Arboretum, and provide scholarships for orchid and plant behavior research. North Carolina Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way; Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $12 parking; www.ncarboretum.org


Growin’ in the Mountains
April 25 & 26 | Asheville
Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Horticulture Association, certified nurseries from North and South Carolina will sell everything from edibles to ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and ground covers. Proceeds help promote the area’s rapidly growing ornamental horticulture industry through introduction and expansion of professional standards. WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Rd.; 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; www.blueridgehorticulture.org

Bullington Gardens Spring Plant Sale
April 25 & 26 | Hendersonville
Choose from perennials, herbs, vegetable starts, annuals, trees, and shrubs. Volunteers will be on hand to offer gardening tips. Proceeds from the sale fund programming and maintenance of Bullington Gardens, a 12-acre horticultural education center. Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; www.bullingtongardens.org

French Broad River Garden Club Plant Sale
April 26 | Asheville
Encyclopedic offerings mean you’ll want to buy more than your car can hold. Featured plants include bulbs of distinction selected for Zone 7. Catalogs will be available for year-round ordering. Proceeds go to a scholarship fund for local college students studying horticulture or related subjects. Clem’s Cabin, 1000 Hendersonville Rd.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; www.fbrgc.org

The Botanical Gardens at Asheville Spring Plant Sale
May 2 & 3 | Asheville
Buy hard-to-find native trees, shrubs, perennials, and ferns, as well as herbs and annuals from vendors across the Carolinas. A fund-raiser for the gardens, each participant donates 15 percent of its sales. Reserve time to stroll the grounds and see how these dollars are being put to valuable use. The Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd.; Friday, noon-6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.; www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org
 

Asheville Herb Festival
May 2-4 | Asheville
Celebrating its 25th year, you’ll find a mind-blowing selection of herbs, herbal medicines, soaps, and cookbooks at one of the largest festivals of its kind in the Southeast. Bee research will be featured at this event. Because herbs and other edible and medicinal plants rely on bees for pollination, the WNC Chapter of the North Carolina Herb Association is partnering with the Center for Honeybee Research and Bee City USA to educate both the public and growers. WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Rd.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; www.ashevilleherbfestival.com

Dahlia Tuber & Mum Cutting Sale
May 10 | Asheville
Collect your favorites and learn how to grow show-quality blooms from members of the Carolinas Dahlia and North Carolina Chrysanthemum societies. Proceeds benefit sponsorship of the National Dahlia Show, which comes to Asheville in 2016. Half of all proceeds from bloom sales go to a local charity. North Carolina Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; $12 parking; www.ncarboretum.org

Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival
May 10 | Waynesville
Haywood County’s annual spring kick-off features more than 50 local growers, artisans, and nature-related professionals. Shop for a wide selection of garden starts and ornamental plants. Musicians, dancers, food, and kids activities round out the day. Proceeds fund improvements to the Historic Frog Level District, where the festival takes place. Depot St.; Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; (828) 734-7723