Gardeners can shop for colorful foxgloves and calendulas at the Spring Plant Sale. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
Plant enthusiasts from near and far gather at The Huntington for a beloved annual event: the Spring Plant Sale. First held in 1975, it has blossomed into a major horticultural celebration. This year’s golden anniversary, held April 25–27, features a special lineup of plants, expert advice, and a few surprises.
“The plant sale is one of my favorite times of the year,” said Nicole Cavender, the Telleen/Jorgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens. “The annual tradition engages so many people—from the novice gardener to seasoned experts. And it reflects The Huntington’s commitment to offering a diversity of plants that are well suited to Southern California gardening and are responsibly procured and cultivated.”
Over the years, the Spring Plant Sale has drawn an avid crowd, with shoppers often arriving early, some towing creative carts to load up with their finds. “I’ve seen people bring 6-foot-tall rolling racks of shelves,” said Louise Guerin, The Huntington’s plant sale manager. “One clever shopper even showed up with a large door on casters to haul plants behind them.”
Beyond the focus on plants, the sale also fosters a strong sense of community. “People with a passion for plants love coming together and sharing our enthusiasm,” said Guerin, who has managed the plant sale since 2011. As The Huntington prepares for this milestone event, she reflects on the sale’s history and shares what visitors can expect this year.
Could you talk about The Huntington’s first plant sale?
The idea for the first plant sale, held in September 1975, came from Myron Kimnach, then-director of the Botanical Gardens, who wanted to make unusual plants available to the public. Garden curators assisted with propagating materials from The Huntington’s collections, creating a selection of plants not commonly found in nurseries.
Over time, the plant sale was moved to May to coincide with spring blooms. However, as temperatures sometimes soared during that month, the sale eventually settled into its current April time frame, taking advantage of cooler weather for the flowers and attendees.
Shoppers bring carts and dollies to hold their purchases at the annual plant sale. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
How has the plant sale grown?
Originally held near the main parking lot, the plant sale has expanded to multiple locations. Today, shoppers can browse selections at the plant sale nursery, two small staff lots, the Herlihy Pavilion, the Brody Botanical Center, and the lawn east of the Botanical Center. A drive-through pickup system in the main parking lot makes it easier to transport large purchases.
The Huntington has another annual sale in the fall, which is considered the best time to plant.
What unusual plants have been sold at the plant sale?
We’ve sold seedlings from our Amorphophallus titanum collection, unusual roses specially grafted from cuttings in our Rose Garden, and seedlings from our cycad collection. We also partner with vendors to offer an even greater selection of unusual plants.
The Spring Plant Sale focuses on plants that are suitable for Southern California’s Mediterranean climate, such as Southwest natives. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
A shopper packs a wagon with a colorful display of plants at The Huntington’s Spring Plant Sale. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
Daylilies that have been developed for a hot, dry climate are available at the Spring Plant Sale. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
More than 250 volunteers assist with various tasks, from working as porters to answering visitors’ questions. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
The Spring Plant Sale offers many kinds of cacti and succulents. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
From right: Shirley Kerins, The Huntington’s first plant sale manager, with Thomas Carruth, E.L. & Ruth B. Shannon Curator of the Rose Garden, and his late husband, John Furman, at a 1988 plant sale. | Photo courtesy of Thomas Carruth.
What can visitors look forward to at this year’s plant sale?
This year’s sale will continue our focus on plants suited to Southern California’s Mediterranean climate, including Southwest natives and Australian plants. I’ve also focused increasingly on vegetable gardening. We’re growing flavorful tomatoes that we hope people will love. And we plan to offer lots of container-friendly plants.
Our daylily and iris vendor has been developing plants that are suited to our hot, dry climate. He’s even bred some lilacs that thrive in this area.
Also, Brandon Tam, the associate curator of The Huntington’s orchid collection, has donated extra orchids, and we will offer many cacti and succulents from the collections, including a wide range of Karen Zimmerman hybrid Aloes.
For those affected by the Eaton Fire, The Huntington is offering a wide selection of houseplants, providing options for those in temporary housing.
How will The Huntington celebrate the plant sale’s golden anniversary?
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, The Huntington is adding a golden touch to the festivities. Expect a stunning display of yellow and gold roses. We’re going for the gold this year!
Yellow and gold roses will be on display to celebrate the Spring Plant Sale’s golden anniversary. Photo by Linnea Stephan. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
Whether you are a seasoned horticulturalist or a first-time gardener, the Spring Plant Sale promises a weekend filled with discovery, inspiration, and community. Don’t miss this chance to take home a memento of The Huntington’s botanical legacy.
Cheryl Cheng is the senior editor in the Office of Communications and Marketing at The Huntington.