Spring Plant Sale at the Overland Park Arboretum

Spring always brings such hope and renewal. We are excited for the green, warmer temperatures and new plants to grow and nurture. We are experiencing additional excitement and anticipation here at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens as we open a new visitors center later this summer. There will be new opportunities to see new gardens in addition to our current gardens.

Each year we aim to bring you the best of what we utilize here in the gardens, new varieties and reliable favorites at the Annual Spring Plant Sale in April. One of my favorite early perennials is the Hellebore or Lenten Rose. These are great for the part shade or shade areas in your landscape. They deliver blooms in early spring in a variety of colors and forms. Black Diamond is a rich, burgundy, black flower that looks magnificent with Bluebells (Mertensia), Daffodils (Narcissus) and other spring lovelies. Hellebore French Kiss is a cool pink with flecks of darker pink.

If pollinators are a focus for your garden, we have a multitude of options. We are offering seven varieties of perennial and annual Asclepias, including everyone’s favorite Gomphocarpus physocarpus, aka Balloon Milkweed or Hairy Balls Milkweed. We will have wonderful nectar plants like Salvia, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Coneflowers (Echinacea), Lantana and Blazing Star (Liatris). There are options in every size and color you can imagine. If you are looking for a tree, we are offering the smaller sized Temple of Bloom SevenSon Flower (Heptacodium). It is adored by pollinators in the late summer and early fall. Only getting 6-10 feet tall, it is a great small tree.

For those of you who are looking for shady options, we are featuring Azaleas from the Perfecto Mundo series. These Azaleas bloom in the spring and also give a repeat show in the fall. They were developed by an NC State University professor, so they have better heat tolerance and hardiness. There are also Hydrangeas to consider from Panicle to Oakleaf, several species of ferns and some newer varieties of Hostas. Coleus can add additional color and texture. If you have not tried a Coleus in your summer landscape you must come shop our nine different selections. Glimmer impatiens are an annual I would encourage you to try. They are bred to be resistant to Impatiens Downy Mildew, so this classic annual can once again be enjoyed in your gardens.

Texture is a must for all landscapes and containers. Check out our selection of cute evergreens. Anna’s Magic Ball & Tater Tot Arborvitae (Thuja) are perfect for small gardens. Grasses like Standing Ovation Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium) and Ruby Grass (Melinis ‘Savannah’) will glow in your full sun areas. Herbs can even fill that box, with the different varieties of basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme and rosemary we are offering. You get great things to cook with and they are pretty to look at!

There are so many wonderful options for you to peruse and consider. Our plant sale list will be available for your viewing pleasure in early April on our website opabg.org and on our social media platforms. Friends of the Arboretum members get to preview the sale a day early on Thursday, April 27 from 2-8pm. Sale will be open to the public Friday April 28 to Sunday April 30 from 9am to 5pm. We look forward to seeing you in the gardens and cheers to spring!