The Town & Country Garden Club, "the folks who keep the traffic islands blooming," announce a new date and change of location for its annual Plant & Shrub Sale: Saturday, May 21, from 9 am to 3 pm, on the front lawn of Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street. This is a change from the club's earlier-in-the-season sales of previous years, presented at The Inn at Newtown.

Plant Sale Chairperson Mary Ellen Weiner expects that longtime supporters of the sale will appreciate the convenient access and ample parking available at this highly visible location. The new date - Saturday, May 21 - allows two more weeks of warming temperatures for the more than 200 member-grown plants to develop and bloom.

Club President Sandy Motyka invites the public to support the club's only fundraiser, where they will find neonic-free flowering plants, hardy landscaping shrubs, and the advice of experienced and master gardeners, all in time for Memorial Day planting.

Club members will provide a wide variety of perennial plants which have been grown in their own gardens: flowers, herbs, ground cover, shrubs, grasses and vines.   Committee member Joy Kopesky points out that locally grown plants have a high possibility of transplant success.

"They know the soil, weather and temperature and seem to have less stress," Ms Kopesky pointed out.

Professionally grown plants from Planter's Choice, many field-grown locally, will be offered at hard-to-resist prices. They will include flowering shrubs, trees, and specimen plants.

New this year will be attractive containers filled with plants that enhance cooking, such as herbs, tomatoes and chili peppers.

"Think of flavor along with some early summer color on an indoor kitchen window sill," suggest committee member Chris Lincoln.

The Garden Bookshelf is another new feature this year. According to committee member Jan Gardner, an exciting selection of gently used gardening books, plant references, how-to books, and more will be available at very favorable prices.

The Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown meets at 6:30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. The club meets at Newtown Senior Center. Programs are free and open to the public.

"We just celebrated our 50th anniversary," said Ms Motyka. "You would think there is nothing new to learn, but we continue to explore all aspects of garden design, flower arranging, plant science, and environmental issues. We are an open and friendly group and welcome new members.

"After all," Ms Motyka continued, "we have much in common: our love of the natural world around us."

For additional information about the plant sale or membership, contact Membership Chairperson Judy Beers at 203-426-2785.

[mappress mapid="163"]