Patience reaps rewards at Goodwood fall plant sale
To be a gardener you need patience. Gardeners patiently wait for fall’s cooler temperatures; it’s the best time to plant perennials.
At Goodwood, garden volunteers patiently wait for seeds of cool season herbs and vegetables to germinate, for cuttings in perlite to grow roots, and for divisions of pass-a-long plants to fill out gallon pots.
All of this activity takes place through the brutal heat of summer as Goodwood prepares for its annual fall plant sale. Volunteers safeguarded the plants before Hurricane Helene came through; they were moved to the greenhouse and placed under outdoor tables.
They are ready for the plant sale. This year the sale is Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
One plant that will be sold this fall is the epitome of patience — Clematis glaucophylla — common name, Whiteleaf leather flower. This clematis is a rare native perennial vine with attractive leaves and hot pink, bell-shaped flowers with a creamy white interior; it blooms through most of the summer.
It attracts hummingbirds and bumble bees. The seeds were collected from my plant and sown by me in January 2023. It took a year for them to germinate, but most of them did! Patience indeed. Look for it at the fall plant sale.
Other perennial natives available are oakleaf hydrangea, leucothoe, Ocala anise, low growing, blue woodland phlox, and tall pink garden phlox, which is attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. We have a small selection of native trees for sale: longleaf pine, green ash, and river birch.
In addition we have a large selection of non-natives that thrive in our area: firespike (attractive to hummingbirds), peacock ginger, chocolate plant, toad lily, lion’s ear, cat’s whiskers, and ajuga, among other heirloom plants.You will also find cool season herbs and vegetables: dill, Italian parsely, lettuces, and more.
Come early for the best selection. The sale is from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., rain or shine at the Virginia McKee Greenhouse. We have a limited amount of wagons, so bring your own if possible, and also boxes/bags to carry home your plant treasures.
If you go
What: Goodwood Gardens Fall Plant Sale
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Goodwood Museum and Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Patients pays off for volunteers at Goodwood Museum's fall plant sale