Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden Annual Spring Plant Sale Planned for May 19th
Apr 27, 2012
Just in time for spring planting, the King’s Garden will hold its annual pre-season plant sale, Saturday, May 19, from 10 am – 2 pm. Enjoy the first blooms of the season while browsing the many perennials available within the garden walls. Sharing perennials with gardening friends allows us to rejuvenate our plantings and make room for new varieties. Staff and volunteers will be on-hand to answer questions and dig your selections. There is no admission charge to attend the plant sale and visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags, boxes or bins.
Local growers and nurserymen will be on hand offering premium potted annuals, hanging baskets, shade-loving perennials, and vegetables, including many varieties of heirloom tomatoes. New this year is a large selection of herbs to round out your flower or vegetable gardens or choose mixed herb pots that are ready to go! Also new is the opportunity to purchase shrubs including blueberries and raspberries for edible landscaping. These expert growers will offer advice on selection, planting and care.
Nearly 5,000 plants are installed in the King’s Garden in late May and early June. If you would like to take part in bringing the garden displays to life, volunteer forms are available at the sale. Hours are flexible for volunteers and instruction is given.
About the King’s Garden
The walled King’s Garden was originally designed in 1921 by leading landscape architect Marian Coffin. The formal elements – a reflecting pool, manicured lawn and hedges, and brick walls and walkways – are softened by a profusion of annuals and perennials, carefully arranged by color and form. Heirloom flowers and modern cultivars are used to recreate the historic planting scheme. Visitor favorites include the lavender border, towering hollyhocks, bearded irises, dinner plate dahlias and many types of phlox.
Outside of the nine-foot brick walls of the colonial revival King’s Garden, the Discovery Gardens include a children’s garden, military vegetable garden, and Three Sisters Garden. The restored Lord and Burnham greenhouse, charming gazebo, sweeping lawns and shady picnic spots invite visitors to explore the landscape at one of America’s oldest gardens dating to the French occupation of the Fort in the mid-18thcentury.
The King’s Garden is open June 1 – Columbus Day, October 8, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Admission to the King’s Garden is included in Fort Ticonderoga’s General Admission price.
For information about informative and hands-on 2012 King’s Garden programs visit http://www.fortticonderoga.org/visit/gardens/kings-garden-programsor call the Fort Ticonderoga offices at 518-585-2821.
FORT TICONDEROGA
America’s Fort
Located on Lake Champlain in the beautiful 6 million acre Adirondack Park, Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit historic site and museum that ensures that present and future generations learn from the struggles, sacrifices, and victories that shaped the nations of North America and changed world history. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Fort Ticonderoga offers programs, historic interpretation, tours, demonstrations and exhibits throughout the year and is open for daily visitation May 18 through October 18, 2012. A full schedule and information on events can be found at www.Fort-Ticonderoga.orgor phone (518) 585-2821. Fort Ticonderoga is located at 100 Fort Ti Road Ticonderoga, New York.
Photo: Gardeners select locally grown heirloom tomatoes at the King’s Garden Plant Sale. Photo courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.
