Hi Ann; Yes, I was there yesterday to give a talk for the presale. They have A. incarnata (swamp), A. syriaca (common), and A. tuberosa (butterfly). All have been legally collected from seed at ohio sites. I would recommend the incarnata personally. We have lot's of discussions on this site about milkweed. I think it takes up about a third of our posts :). However, studies (of which some are available on-line and some summarized at monarchwatch)indicate the following; monarchs lay preferentially on incarnata, caterpillars grow slower on tuberosa due to the lower water content, up to 80% (I think, don't remember the exact percentage but it is high) of first instar caterpillars are lost on milkweed often due to latex. Syriaca has one of the highest latex contents so I don't recommend it. In addition, it can be a thug in the garden. If you have a prairie area it's a great plant but not for the suburban back yard. Get there early. The sale starts at 8:30 but you can come a little early and look. I will be there till lunch time. Milkweeds always sell out. They are popular. Alternatively you can download a form from their website and send in a pre-order. They are very nice there. Hope to see you there, Elisabeth

Hi Irma, I'm glad you had a good time! I Google Mapped the location a couple of days ago, pondering if I could make it down, but decided 4 hours each way was a bit far. But the title "Rare Plant" definitely got my antenna up and my wheels turning, haha! Good purchases: it's impossible to have too many caladium. :) Are they a new or interesting variety? Never heard of Solanum wendlandii, so I had to look it up in Google Images. They are so pretty!!!!!! Here's a link for anyone else that wants to take a peek: Google Images: Solanum wendlandii EDIT: By the way, the common names for it are Costa Rica Nightshade and Giant Potato Vine. The first one sounds a lot more romantic! Carol in Jacksonville

If you've ever taken a walk through the May Arboretum in Reno (near UNR) then you've seen an amazing variety of plants, both native and exotic. And once a year, as a fundraiser, the May Arboretum Society hosts an annual plant sale that specializes in native or well-adapted plants for this wacky climate of ours. "With more than 2,500 plants to choose from - each identified by their common and botanical name, type of flower and sunlight requirement, this is a dream sale for the newbie and the seasoned gardener alike. Highlights include sun and shade perennials, assorted herbs, succulents, plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, along with plants that have low water requirements and are heat tolerant, perfect for your rock garden. Horticulturists and members of the Society will be on hand to offer growing tips." If you haven't been there yet, you should check it out. The Arboretum is open to the public all day long, no admission charge. As a volunteer there, I can tell you that the money raised from the sale is really going to a good cause. And the plants you'll see, and maybe buy, are going to be more suited and adapted for this area than anything you'll see at a big box store. More information, including the list of plants for sale, is at their website.

Kingston, NY - The 18th Annual Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s (CCEUC) Master Gardeners Great Plant Swap and Sale is taking place on Saturday, June 4 at the Forsyth Park Pavilion located at 157 Lucas Avenue in Kingston. Plants should have been transplanted ahead and in good condition for swapping. Plants which are in poor condition due to late transplanting cannot be accepted. Following the guidelines below makes it a fun and valuable event for everyone! Here’s how the swap works: Plants to swap are dropped off Saturday morning between 9am and 10am. Swappers receive vouchers for the value of the plants they drop off, and then return at 11am to swap vouchers for plants! At 11:30am the swap will open to the public for the plant sale. No early birds please. Please review the following rules and NEW information. Master Gardeners will refuse any plants not meeting these criteria: · Bring only healthy, well cared for plants. · Dig plants up (separate and divide if necessary) and pot them ahead (should have been on or before May 21) to allow time for adjusting to potting. Examine plants for pests and water regularly; feed them if necessary. · Plants MUST be in containers, with sufficient soil - no boxes or bags. · NO plants on the NYS Invasive list will be accepted. The list is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/265.html · Plants ABSOLUTELY MUST be labeled with plant name and flower color. · NO more than 12 plants of any one variety will be accepted. Seedlings under 4” will be grouped and valued together. For more information please call Dona Crawford at 845-340-3990 ext. 335 or email dm282@cornell.edu, or visit our website at http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/events/2016/06/04/great-plant-swap-sale. Master Gardener volunteers will also be answering gardening questions and have lots of gardening information available. For information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs and events go to http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/. Stay connected to CCEUC-friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact the program office at 845-340-3990 if you have any special needs.