CLEMSON, S.C. — Gardeners, homeowners and others preparing to plant flowers this spring have an opportunity to buy local plants grown in high-tech greenhouses and cultivated by Clemson University horticulture students and professors.
The annual Clemson Horticulture Student Plant Sale is Friday, April 6. Jim Faust, associate professor of horticulture, said this year’s sale features a vast array of annuals, plants for hanging baskets, vegetable and herb transplants and more.
“This year’s sale will feature ever-blooming sunflowers,” Faust said. “Sunfinity Sunflowers are a recent breeding breakthrough that people won’t find anywhere else this season.”
Sunfinity sunflowers produce blooms on multiple branches, resulting in more flowers all season long. This sunflower has a strong tolerance to powdery and downy mildew. It can be planted in landscapes or in larger patio pots.
Other new plants this year are Wendy’s Wish Salvia, Mecardonia, Gartenmeister Fuchsia, Ruellia and Mexican sage.
The sale begins at 10 a.m. at the Biosystems Research Complex Greenhouses on the Clemson University campus, 105 Collings St., and continues until all plants are sold. Quantities are limited, so everyone is encouraged to come as early as possible to ensure they get the plants they want.
For more information, contact Faust at jfaust@clemson.edu.
Other plants available at this year’s Plant Sale are:
Outstanding annuals
- SunPatiens
- Coleus
- Petunias
- Angelonia
- Lantana
Combination planters and hanging baskets
- Unique assortments of many interesting species, including:
- Gaura
- Ornamental sweet potatoes
Vegetable and herb transplants
- Tomatoes
- Three-in-one, striped Artisan varieties (Pink Bumblebee, Purple Bumblebee, Sunrise Bumblebee)
- Chef’s Choice (Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green)
- Slicing (Big Beef, Celebrity, Mountain Merit)
- Cherry (SunGold, Jasper)
- Grape (Valentine)
- Plum (Regal Plum)
- NEW! Current tomatoes (Candyland) Smaller than cherry tomatoes
- Peppers
- Ancho
- Bell
- Cayenne
- Bull’s Horn
- Jalapeño
- Lunchbox Orange
- Bishop’s Crown
- Hot Banana (new
- Basil (Everleaf and Dolce Fresca)
- Rosemary and Lavender
- Cucumbers
- Eggplants
- Okra (unique, red-skin)
- Cantaloupe
- Summer Squash
- Patty Pan
- Yellow
- Zucchini
- Round Zucchini
Miscellaneous
- Buddleia ‘Buzz Midnight’
- Echinacea ‘Powwow Berry’
- Miniature roses
–Denise Attaway, Clemson University
