LOCALS: Just a reminder that we’re hosting a perennial / houseplant / tools / seed packet / seedlings / etc. exchange this Saturday, 11-3, at the Berwyn Shops (the colorful sheds at Roosevelt and Clinton).
WHAT’S A PERENNIAL EXCHANGE?
Well, people who have mature perennial gardens have to divide many of their plants periodically. Irises, for example, will stop flowering after a few years when they get too big, and then you need to divide them.
You can replant those irises in your own garden, of course, but most of us run out of room at some point!
You might also want more variety — a mix of purple, yellow, and white irises, for example, instead of all purple. So you take some of your extras to a perennial exchange, and hope you find something delicious to take home — or are just happy to give them away to another gardener, instead of tossing them on a compost heap.
People also get bored with their houseplants, or give up on taking care of one that isn’t suited to their home’s conditions, or change their mind about a perennial they’d put in, or decide they don’t want quite that many hostas, etc. and so on.
A friend and I already know that we’re going to be happily bringing in some irises, hellebores, asparagus ferns, and nepeta on Saturday. If you know what you’re bringing, feel free to post a note on the events page, so people get a taste of what’s coming! The more, the merrier — and the bigger diversity of plants for people to choose from.
At the end of the event, I’m planning to take everything leftover (we usually have extra plants and tools) over to the Oak Park Conservatory, which is having THEIR perennial exchange the next day.
If you have questions, please ask! All are welcome!
Again, it’s:
Saturday May 17, 11-3
Berwyn Shops, 6931 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/596216723489775
