NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host its annual Garden Gala Day Spring Plant Sale and Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St.
A wide variety of hard-to-find, "Texas tough" plants will be available, including Texas natives, heirlooms, tropicals, perennials, shrubs, trees and unusual species. Most of the plants are trialed in the gardens before being offered to the public and are produced by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Gardens staff and volunteers.
This popular event benefits the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Mast Arboretum, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Gayla Mize Garden and educational programs hosted at the gardens. More than 15,000 students of all ages are reached on a yearly basis through Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Gardens programs.
The ninth annual Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Earth Day Celebration presented alongside the Garden Gala Day Spring Plant Sale will begin at 10 a.m. Informational booths will be set up near the Tucker House and the event will feature guest speakers, activities for kids of all ages, free local food, live music and more.
The outdoor festival is sponsored by Campus Recreation's Outdoor Pursuits program, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Student Sustainability Coalition, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Gardens and Nacogdoches Naturally. The celebration is an opportunity for members of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ student body and the Nacogdoches community to join together in furthering the vision of a sustainable campus and community.
Parking is available at the nearby Early Childhood Research Center, 2428 Raguet St. The public is encouraged to arrive early and bring a wagon.
For more information, call (936) 468-4404, or visit two weeks before the sale for a list of available plants.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!