An Extraordinary Gardening Event
Plant Reference
Part of the fun for us is sharing our love and knowledge of plants with you.
Plants for Sale
Each year, Sister Plants compiles a list of the perennials, grasses, herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines that will be sold at the plant sale. This informative list is available as a printable PDF file or as an editable Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
Visit the Sister Plants Sale Information page for details about this year's sale.
Plant Selection
The collectors among us order from catalogs from all over the USA and travel to distant places searching for varieties that are difficult to find locally. If a plant passes the survival test in our gardens and is relatively easy to maintain, when it matures, we are able to propagate it for sale. A small percentage of our plants have been ordered through wholesalers to expand the varieties we offer.
Sometimes it will be years before a particular plant will be ready for dividing again, so we cannot guarantee future availability.
Be sure to see our list of "Sister Plant Favorites"
Plant Care
Because our plants haven't been over-fertilized or grown extended seasons in pots, they are not root-bound and normally transplant very well. If you cannot place an adoptee immediately in its new home, keep it moist and protected from hot sun.
It is extremely important to keep anything that is newly planted well watered until established (trees and shrubs especially). Note the growing conditions on the pot label.
We strongly suggest cataloging your perennial purchases, either on the computer or on index cards. This will be invaluable as your plant addiction grows.
Gardening Links
Want to research more information about specific plants? Visit these links we think you might enjoy:
- Big Dipper Farm: Botanical Names
- A plant cross-reference alphabetized by botanical name.
- Big Dipper Farm: Common Names
- A plant cross-reference alphabetized by common name.
- knowyourgardening.com
- A search cross-reference of 15,000 plant names by common or botanical name.
- hort.net
- A search cross-reference with a great plant photo gallery.
Garden Consultations
Schedule a gardening consultation with Terry Hale. Terry will visit your property for 2½ to 3 hours, evaluate your site and plantings, offer concrete suggestions geared to your personal aspirations, and answer your specific gardening questions. Advice is offered on plant selections, nursery resources, pruning, garden design, and implementation.
The cost is $60 for properties within a 10-mile radius of Reading, Massachusetts, and $70 beyond. Consider an artfully presented gift certificate for the hands-on gardener on your gift list or for a new home owner.
- Contact Sister Plants about a gardening consultation for a date after the sale.