SFA to host fall plant sale

NACOGDOCHES, Texas --The SFA Mast Arboretum will host its annual Fabulous Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the SFA Intramural Fields on Wilson Drive.

This event features the annual fall plant sale fundraiser benefiting the SFA Mast Arboretum, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden and their various educational programs. All of the plants are produced at SFA by the staff, students and volunteers.

According to Dawn Stover, Mast Arboretum research associate, a wide variety of "Texas-tough" plants will be available, including an eclectic mix of hard-to-find perennials, shrubs and trees. The fall sale will feature a number of heat and drought resistant perennials that will thrive in East Texas with little or no irrigation. Also, new coneflower varieties, leopard plants, hardy gingers and the outstanding varieties of ferns from recent trials will be available. As always, gardeners will find many wonderful plants suited for southern landscapes.

Greg Grant, Pineywoods Native Plant Center research associate, notes that fall is the most appropriate time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. A large variety of native shade trees, as well as many other East Texas natives, will be available. Some of Grant's special introductions will be offered, including the large flowering "Helen Fredel" crossvine and the brand-new "Peppermint Flare" Rose Mallow.

The public is encouraged to arrive early and to bring a wagon.

For more information and a list of plants for sale, call (936) 468-4404, or visit http://arboretum.sfasu.edu/ and click on "upcoming events."