73rd Annual Bulb & Plant Mart

One of the largest and oldest horticultural events in Texas, the 73rd Annual Bulb & Plant Mart, sponsored by the Garden Club of Houston (GCH), will be held October 1-3-2015, again at its new location St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd at Westheimber Rd.

The Mart opens Thursday, October 1st, 4:30pm-7:30pm for “Early Bird Shopping’ (admission $20) with a party on the patio featuring a mariachi band, and nearby stores offering discounts to Bulb Mart shoppers.  Sales continue Friday and Saturday, with free admission and parking.

More than 500,000 top-quality bulbs from domestic and international suppliers from Amaryllis to Zantedeschia (Calla Lily) will be available at the Mart, including over 200 varieties of Tulips, Iris, Amaryllis, Daffodils and Hyacinths and small bulb favorites, Anemone, Crocus, Freesia, Ranunculus, and Watsonia.

Experienced as well as beginning gardeners will find an expanded collection of hard-to-find and unusual Crinums, Daylilies, Gingers, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and citrus plants, including unique offerings from the gardens of GCH members grown specifically for the Mart.

Special exhibits include the live butterfly tent from The Museum of Natural Scinece Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the “conservation” booth, which will feature a variety of native and drought-tolerant plants curated by experts in ecological conservation and education.

The “Plants that Merit Attention” booth, hosted by Nancy Thomas, our horticultural award-winning Garden Club of Houston member and Garden Club of America Past President, will present noteworthy selections collected specifically for the Mart.

The “Bulb Bar” will return, allowing shoppers to create their own take-home containers of forced bulbs, including Amaryllis and Paperwhites.  For a small fee, all materials, cinluding soil, rocks, bulbs and container (and assistance, if necessary) are provided!

Visitors to the Bulb & Plant Mart will receive a Horticultural Guide for Houston, prepared by the club.  The booklet includes the botanical names and descriptions of the items for sale, information on planting and caring for plants, as well as a planting calendar for bulbs.  Ove 100 different bulb varieties can be pre-ordered efore the Mart.

Proceeds from the Bulb & Plant Mart support GCH projects including GCH Park in the Texas Medical Center; Houston Hospice; Houston Museum of Natural Science; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; MFAH, Rienzi; Partners for Pllants – Hogg Bird Sanctuary and Urban Harvest.