Plant Sale

Our plant sale will be open to conference registrants on Thursday, June 8 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in the Greenhouse Header House of the Cox Institute. It will also be open on Friday, June 9 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm to the wider public. If you need to obtain a phytosanitary certificate please purchase your plants on Thursday and fill out the appropriate forms as listed below.

Critical information for US buyers is as follows:

They can return with up to 12 plants without requiring additional permits. They will need the CFIA phytosanitary certificate, and they need to fill out a declaration at the border, same with any other purchases, so will also need to have receipts handy.

If they plan to bring more than 12 plants home, or if the plants fall within the restricted/prohibited list found on APHIS website/ CITES listed plants (see links below) they will need additional permits, and will need to arrange for an APHIS inspection when they cross into US. Please check with specific state regulations or airline requirements if travelling by air.

Inspections will be done on Friday afternoon and cost about $15-$20 CAD per person.

Important Links for those transporting plants across international borders

CFIA phytosanitary inspection form: https://inspection.canada.ca/about-cfia/find-a-form/privacy-notice/eng/1445601295813/1445601296610
USDA restricted/prohibited list and other import requirements: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel/travelers-canada/traveler-canada-plants/traveler-canada-landborder-plants
CITES list PDF form: https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/app/2023/E-Appendices-2023-05-21.pdf

Vendors Confirmed for Plant Sale

Insigne Gardens

Insigne Gardens is a small Halifax nursery, 25 years old, run by plantsman Ken Shannik. It is not a walk-in nursery but operates by mail order, pre-order and stands at local plant sales. He propagate from his personal collection and those of his partner/hybridizer John Weagle. Ken specializes in rare and unusual perennials and bulbs from Arisaemas, hardy Cyclamen to rare snowdrops, his own selected Hellebores, Roscoeas and many other delectables. There is definite focus on woodland perennials. He also propagates evergreen azaleas including John’s Scotian Series, the various Menziesias of the late Barry Starling in a wide range of colours, Rhododendron lepidote species and hybrids, unusual shrubs and rare trees in small sizes. Thanks go to generous plantsmen friends and plant hunters around the world, with whom they both collaborate, the range and quality of material should please.

Green Optics

Green Optics is a small business run by Jamie Ellison focusing on specialty plants, photography and plant presentations. Green Optics propagates and grows plants from Jamie’s personal collection. He is an insatiable plant collector focusing on interesting and specialty plants and has recently started to hybridize Rhododendrons where he lives and gardens in Canning, Nova Scotia. He has written articles in horticultural periodicals and has recently co-authored a book with Todd Boland titled, “Gardening for Acidic Soils”.

Woodlands and Meadows — Jane Blackburn

Woodlands and Meadows has evolved over the years as a small perennial nursery specializing in sempervivum, winter hardy cactus, grasses and native plants with a few indoor (non-winter hardy) succulents. Quite an eclectic group. Sales are primarily at the Truro Farmer’s Market and a few select venues around the province.

Wrightman Alpines Nursery — Esther Wrightman

Located in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, Wrightman’s in one of the largest alpine nurseries in North America. Esther will be presenting on Friday evening at NARGS 23. Come see her extensive selection of alpines at the plant sale.