Saturday, August 15th – Gates open at 9:00am
Location: Garden Center
Calling all plant lovers, backyard growers, indoor collectors, and the green-thumb curious! We are evolving beyond our Rare Houseplant roots to bring you a boutique garden festival and community gathering. Think of it as the ultimate shopping event and weekend hangout for local plant nerds! We’ve packed a great variety of plant trends into our charming garden center grounds, making this the perfect place to connect, learn, and socialize with fellow local hobbyists.
Shopping and Curated Plant Stations
Stroll through the garden center to shop our spotlight stations and curated displays and chat with our team and outside experts.
- Specialty Collections: Discover the distinct artistry of bonsai, rare houseplants, orchids, Japanese maples, David Austin roses, carnivorous plants, and hinoki cypress/conifers.
- Eco-Conscious & Outdoor Gardening: Dive into climate-resilient and native plants perfect for wildlife and pollinators, cut flower gardening, and fall edibles like veggies, herbs, and fruit shrubs.
- Creative Micro-Climates: Explore terrariums, vivariums, and fairy gardens.
- The Essentials: Level up your setup with premium pottery, plant wares, hardgoods, and garden structures. Learn about semi-hydroponics, specialty soils, and beneficial insects in your garden.
- Vendor Engagement: Shop and chat with our amazing vendors, including BeWild Reptile Rescue, BFG Distribution, Buddha Bee Apiary, Carolina Bonsai, East Coast Tropicals, Hearn Ceramics, Kokedama Experience, Nahunga Creek Tropicals, and Pede My Pants.
Activities & Entertainment
- 9-10am, The Cultivate Plant Swap: FREE! Bring your healthy, pest-free plants and cuttings to trade with fellow enthusiasts! Standard swap rules apply. Come ready to share the plant love. (Limited spots available. Register HERE to secure your spot!)
- 10am-4pm, Vendor Tables: Shop and chat with our amazing vendors about topics like Kokedama, beekeeping, bonsai, insects, carnivorous plants, cut flower gardening, pottery, hardgoods and soils, and more.
- 10:30-11:30am, Kid-Friendly Container Garden Workshop: Build a dinosaur or fairy themed garden with East Coast Tropicals. A perfect hands-on activity for mini-makers. (Online registration and fee required. Limited spots available. Register HERE!)
- 12-1pm, Houseplant Bingo: FREE! As many games as we can fit into an hour. Win amazing prizes! (Limited spots available. Register HERE to secure your spot!)
- 12-4pm, Meet the Animals: Say hello to some awesome scaley friends with a special guest appearance by BeWild Reptile Rescue.
- 1-2pm, Beehive Tour: FREE! Suit up for a tour of the FGS beehive, compliments of Buddha Bee Apiary. (Suiting up is limited to four spots. Register in-person at the Buddha Bee Apiary table. Signed liability waivers required. First come, first served! )
- 2-3pm, Succulent Bowl Workshop: Create a beautiful, water-wise container garden with East Coast Tropicals. (Online registration and fee required. Limited spots available. Register HERE!)
Music & Food
- Unwind and enjoy live music by Sam Trebing (1-4pm)
- Grab lunch from the Jolly Sandwich Company food truck (11am-4pm)
- Head over to the Potting Shed for a refreshing beverage or popsicle (all day)
Whether you’re a longtime FGS regular or a local hobbyist discovering us for the first time, this event is for you! Come celebrate the community that helps us all grow.