Potatoes, Tomatoes, Roses & More at Heirloom Plant Sale - May 23 & 24

With gardening fever in the air, Upper Canada Village is the place to visit, especially if heirloom plants are your specialty. On May 23 and 24, the historic site will be hosting an Heirloom Plant Sale and Garden Weekend, where you will find a number of unusual varieties for sale while picking up some “expert” gardening tips and advice. Come buy and plant what your ancestors grew!

Each year, Upper Canada Village welcomes the season of spring with special attention to the planting of its many heritage-style gardens. On May 23 and 24, the site will be hosting its annual Heirloom Plant Sale. No admission is required to visit the plant sale located at the front entrance of the Village.

For the first time at Upper Canada Village, gardening enthusiasts will find 20 varieties of potted heirloom rose bushes dating from the early 1500s to 1867 such as Empress Josephine, Apothecary Rose, Stanwell Perpertual and many other selections from Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, Rosa alba and Rosa gallica parentage.

A selection of both popular and more unusual 19th century tomatoes of various tastes, colours, and sizes (in packs and individual pots) will be available, including Red Brandy Wine, Pink Brandy Wine,Yellow Brandy Wine, Black Brandy Wine, Arkansas Marvel, Early Red, Amish Salad, Cherokee Purple, German, Yellow German, Yellow Pear, Red Pear, Black from Tula, Mortgage Lifter, Purple Calabash, Oxheart, Bulls Heart, Hungarian Heart, Pomme d’amour, Red Calabash, Trophy, and more.

A most interesting assortment of heirloom annuals and perennials will be on sale including Achillea, Cockscomb, Cleome, Gomphrena, Love-in-a-Mist, Love Lies Bleeding, Monarda, Blackberry Lily, Pinks, Bachelor Buttons, Sweet William, Dame’s Sweet Rocket and many others.

Prices range from $2.00 to $6.95 for annuals and perennials.

Head gardener Brian Henderson is also pleased to announce a seed exchange program. “We will give 5 lbs of heirloom potatoes to visitors, if they are willing to return 5 lbs back at harvest time”, said Henderson. “We have Garnet Chile and Early Roset” he added. “Quantities are limited and people interested in this program will need to register with the Village’s horticultural staff.”

Upper Canada Village’s own horticultural staff will be at the Sale on both Saturday and Sunday mornings (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) to answer questions and give advice concerning plant problems and gardening strategies.

Visiting gardeners who decide to spend some time inside the Village (regular admission fee applies) are invited to visit the hot beds and gardens being planted and prepared for this growing season. Horticultural staff will offer both historical and technical tips related to the Village gardens, hotbeds, spring seeding and transplanting.

The Heirloom Plant Weekend is the first in a series of events and activities that celebrate the gardens at Upper Canada Village. On Saturday, June 13, “Spring Gardens” day plans include guided tours of the gardens, as well as workshops. “Summer Gardens” will take place on Saturday, August 8, and “Fall Gardens” on Saturday, September 12.