Olbrich Home Blooming Butterflies

plant salePlant Sale with the Pros

Get great plants and expert advice from area professionals this year at Olbrich’s Plant Sale with the Pros. The sale features everything from annuals and perennials to ornamental grasses and shrubs. Olbrich’s staff carefully chooses unique plants that do best in this climate. Find the newest, hardiest, disease-resistant cultivars on the market. Master gardeners and Olbrich’s horticulturists will be available to answer questions.


Member Pre-Sale

May 7,

11 am - 6 pm

New! Olbrich members receive 20% off in Olbrich's Growing Gifts shop on May 7, 10 am-6:30 pm! Become a member or renew your membership today!

Public Sale

May 8,

9 am - 4 pm

Proceeds from the plant sale benefit Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Shop early since quantities are limited. Shoppers are encouraged to bring cartons, wagons, or boxes for carrying plants. Cash, checks, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted. Maximize your support of the Gardens by using cash or check.

 

Pro Potting BenchPlant Pro potting bench

 

Take advantage of free container design and potting services at the Plant Pro Potting Bench. Get help selecting the best plants for a stunning container garden or hanging basket...then let a professional plant them for you! Bring your own containers or purchase one at the sale, including colorful glazed terra cotta containers.

 

 

 

Plants

Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros features everything from annuals and perennials to ornamental grasses and shrubs. Choose cultivars on the market including tropical plants that will fire up your garden, small-scale garden conifers, herbs, and butterfly plants along with hundreds of annuals and perennials. Find rare shrubs and trees, including hardy shrub roses that thrive in the challenging Wisconsin climate.

A selection of plants from the American Beauties and Jeepers Creepers collections will also be offered at Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros. Come to the sale and find great plants from these collections!

Did you know that Olbrich horticulturists specifically select plants that are proven to perform well in this area? Learn how these plants are chosen, and where they come from in a newsletter article from Olbrich's Garden News.

2010 Plant Lists for Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros

All lists are in PDF format

Annuals Conifers Ferns
Grasses Herbs Perennials
Shrubs Trees Vines

*Note - The plants listed above are expected to be available at Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros. Some plants may not be available at the sale due to last minute changes from suppliers. *

 

Pros

Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros is your chance to get personal advice on choosing the right plants for your garden from local garden experts and Olbrich horticulturists who can share their know-how on roses, herbs, perennials, trees, container gardens, and more. Also, shoppers are encouraged to bring a photo of their garden and get landscape design advice from area landscape architects.

Find out when area experts will be at Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros

 

Donate plants and books to help support the gardens

Plant Donations

If your garden is bursting with successful perennials or grasses, why not donate some of your extras to Olbrich? Donated plants will be sold at Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros, a major fundraiser for the Gardens.

Plant Drop Off Times*
Tuesday, April 27 1 - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 28 1 - 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 29 1 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 1 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 6 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Please do not drop off plants before Tuesday, April 27.

 

Plant Drop-Off

  • If you would like to speak with a plant sale volunteer regarding your donation, please stop at the front desk located in Olbrich’s lobby before proceeding to the donated plant drop site near the gated area.
  • Volunteers will be available to answer questions and assist you with your plant donation during the designated times only.
  • Plants may also be donated outside of the designated times listed above, but not before Tuesday, April 27.
    • A wooden palette will be located near the gated area on the west side (behind the Bolz Conservatory) of Olbrich’s parking lot where plants can be dropped off at any time. This area will be clearly labeled for your convenience.
    • Volunteers will retrieve the donated plants from the drop site once a day.

Plant Identification

  • Each plant should potted in a container (plastic, fiber pot, etc.) or bagged.
  • All plants should be properly labeled at the time of delivery.
    • Labels including the botanic name of each plant is preferred over the common plant name.

Donation Recognition

  • If you would like to receive recognition for your in-kind plant donation please contact Missy Keegan, Special Events Coordinator, at 608-246-5616.

 

Gardening Book Donations

Olbrich’s Schumacher Horticultural Library is seeking donations of gardening and plant-related books and magazines to be sold during Olbrich’s Plant Sale with the Pros. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Gardens.

Drop off your books and magazines in the library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call 608-246-5805 or e-mail with questions.

Stop by Olbrich’s Plant Sale with the Pros on May 7 & 8 to pick up a few “new-to-you” books just in time for the gardening season!

 

musical Performance Opportunity!

Every May, more than 2,000 people attend Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros. This year, we would like to invite local musicians to perform during the sale to help create a festive atmosphere!

For these special performances, Olbrich will provide a small stage (8' x 8') for the musicians to use within the plant sale area (Olbrich's outdoor parking lot.) Electricity will also be available.

Performers are responsible for providing all instruments, microphones, and sound systems. Musicians will be allowed to sell CDs during the performance.

Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros is a fundraiser that helps support the Gardens, keeping them accessible for everyone. Musicians' time would be considered an in-kind donation for this fundraiser.

Performance Times

Friday, May 7                                                     Saturday, May 8

3:30-4:30 pm - Mark Harrod                            9:00-10:00 am - Carmel Mikol

5:00-6:00 pm                                                   10:30-11:30 am - Nick Venturella

                                                                              3:00-4:00 pm

If you are interested in donating a performance for our annual Plant Sale with the Pros, please contact:

Missy Keegan

Special Events Coordinator

608-246-5616

 

UPCOMING Events

Home Garden Tour

Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies

Summer Concerts in the Gardens

Guided Garden Strolls

Gardens Galore Bus Tour

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is owned and operated by the City of Madison Parks Division in partnership with the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens | 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704. | Phone: (608)246-4550 | Fax: (608)246-4719