Annual Plant Sale Preparation
The Lee County Master Gardeners annual plant sale is set for mid-April at the Lee County Extension in Tupelo. The long-running annual plant sale will be held Saturday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to noon, along with Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Lee County Extension is located at 5338 Cliff Gookin Boulevard in Tupelo. Cash, check, and card payments will be accepted. Shoppers are encouraged to arrive early and bring wagons or carts. Proceeds from the sale fund various Master Gardeners’ charitable projects throughout the year.
First held 28 years ago in the back of a pickup truck, the annual plant sale has now grown into a large-scale three-day sale. Donna Tucker, a Master Gardener of 30 years, said the sale will include annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines, succulents and miniature gardens.
Though they’ve been growing plants in the greenhouse since October, Master Gardeners also bring “pass-along plants” from their gardens to sell. “A lot of these plants are heirloom plants that are brought from other people’s gardens,” said Cynthia Schneider, a Master Gardener intern.
The miniature gardens, planted in papercrete pots made from a mixture of recycled paper and concrete, are filled with flowers and decorated to fit themes like farms, dinosaurs, fairies and more. They’re ideal for people limited to porch or sunroom planting, said Kay Johnson, a Master Gardener of 20 years. “It’s like a blank canvas, and you can choose plants that look like little trees, plants that look like shrubs, for your idea,” Johnson said.
Whether someone wants to fill their garden with plants or grow herbs on the front porch, gardeners will find everything they need at the Master Gardeners plant sale.
The annual fundraiser provides funding for a $3,000 scholarship for a Mississippi State University horticulture student each year and funds 15 Master Gardener projects like the Dirt Daubers Summer Camp, Sanctuary Hospice House Garden, Spring Street Garden, Mooreville Pre-K Garden, Regional Rehab Garden, rose garden in Verona and Lee County Courthousegrounds revitalization.
The Lee County Master Gardeners annual plant sale is set for mid-April at the Lee County Extension in Tupelo. The long-running annual plant sale will be held Saturday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to noon, along with Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Lee County Extension is located at 5338 Cliff Gookin Boulevard in Tupelo. Cash, check, and card payments will be accepted. Shoppers are encouraged to arrive early and bring wagons or carts. Proceeds from the sale fund various Master Gardeners’ charitable projects throughout the year.
First held 28 years ago in the back of a pickup truck, the annual plant sale has now grown into a large-scale three-day sale. Donna Tucker, a Master Gardener of 30 years, said the sale will include annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines, succulents and miniature gardens.
Though they’ve been growing plants in the greenhouse since October, Master Gardeners also bring “pass-along plants” from their gardens to sell. “A lot of these plants are heirloom plants that are brought from other people’s gardens,” said Cynthia Schneider, a Master Gardener intern.
The miniature gardens, planted in papercrete pots made from a mixture of recycled paper and concrete, are filled with flowers and decorated to fit themes like farms, dinosaurs, fairies and more. They’re ideal for people limited to porch or sunroom planting, said Kay Johnson, a Master Gardener of 20 years. “It’s like a blank canvas, and you can choose plants that look like little trees, plants that look like shrubs, for your idea,” Johnson said.
Whether someone wants to fill their garden with plants or grow herbs on the front porch, gardeners will find everything they need at the Master Gardeners plant sale.
The annual fundraiser provides funding for a $3,000 scholarship for a Mississippi State University horticulture student each year and funds 15 Master Gardener projects like the Dirt Daubers Summer Camp, Sanctuary Hospice House Garden, Spring Street Garden, Mooreville Pre-K Garden, Regional Rehab Garden, rose garden in Verona and Lee County Courthousegrounds revitalization.
Try Rockin’ Deep Purple or Unplugged Pink salvia
Dr. Eddie Miles Louis Smith
MSU Extension Service
If you’re looking for plants that are easy to grow, bloom nonstop and attract a flurry of pollinators, let me introduce you to two standout salvias: Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink.
These vibrant, long-blooming beauties not only add stunning color to the garden but also provide essential nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
Rockin’ Deep Purple is an absolute showstopper with bold, velvety, deep purple blooms. The tubular flowers emerge from nearly black calyxes, creating a striking contrast that intensifies their rich color. Arranged in a whorled pattern along tall, upright spikes, the blooms add a dramatic architectural element to the garden.
This salvia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and commands attention, whether planted in garden beds or containers.
Unplugged Pink offers a softer yet equally captivating presence.
Its delicate pink, tubular flowers bloom profusely on sturdy, upright spikes, standing out beautifully against the backdrop of deep-green foliage. They emerge from dark calyxes, which accentuate their soft pink hue.
Beyond their beauty, these blossoms serve as an irresistible nectar source for pollinators.
The foliage adds to the plant’s appeal, with lance-shaped, slightly serrated leaves that release a pleasant fragrance when you brush against them. At a slightly more compact height than Rockin’ Deep Purple, this variety fits well in both garden beds and containers.
Both of these salvias are heat- and drought-tolerant, making them excellent choices for warm climates. They thrive in full sun, needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to produce their best blooms.
During extreme heat or dry spells, give them an occasional deep watering to keep them looking their best. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to give them a strong start. I advise supplementing this with a liquid bloom booster every few weeks during peak flowering periods.
While these salvias are self-cleaning and don’t require deadheading to continue blooming, I like to trim back spent flowers occasionally to encourage fresh growth. A light midsummer pruning helps maintain their bushy, compact shape.
Most people in the South grow Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink as annuals. However, with protection, these resilient plants can sometimes survive a mild winter.
When it comes to companion planting, they pair beautifully with plants that enhance their rich colors and attract even more pollinators.
For a striking contrast, I recommend planting them alongside yellow or orange blooms like lantana, coreopsis or Rudbeckia, often called black-eyed Susan. The salvias’ upright form pairs well with mounded plants such as Blue My Mind evolvulus, which has a low-growing, trailing habit and bright blue flowers.
To add texture and movement to the garden, ornamental grasses like muhly grass make an excellent backdrop for these salvias. The ornamental grasses sway in the breeze and complement the salvias’ vertical spikes.
For a more cottage-style look, I recommend mixing them with verbena, zinnias and gauras, which create a natural, free-flowing display.
Give Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink a try in your outdoor space this year. These beautiful, low-maintenance plants are guaranteed to bring joy -- both to you and the pollinators that visit
Dr. Eddie Miles Louis Smith
MSU Extension Service
If you’re looking for plants that are easy to grow, bloom nonstop and attract a flurry of pollinators, let me introduce you to two standout salvias: Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink.
These vibrant, long-blooming beauties not only add stunning color to the garden but also provide essential nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
Rockin’ Deep Purple is an absolute showstopper with bold, velvety, deep purple blooms. The tubular flowers emerge from nearly black calyxes, creating a striking contrast that intensifies their rich color. Arranged in a whorled pattern along tall, upright spikes, the blooms add a dramatic architectural element to the garden.
This salvia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and commands attention, whether planted in garden beds or containers.
Unplugged Pink offers a softer yet equally captivating presence.
Its delicate pink, tubular flowers bloom profusely on sturdy, upright spikes, standing out beautifully against the backdrop of deep-green foliage. They emerge from dark calyxes, which accentuate their soft pink hue.
Beyond their beauty, these blossoms serve as an irresistible nectar source for pollinators.
The foliage adds to the plant’s appeal, with lance-shaped, slightly serrated leaves that release a pleasant fragrance when you brush against them. At a slightly more compact height than Rockin’ Deep Purple, this variety fits well in both garden beds and containers.
Both of these salvias are heat- and drought-tolerant, making them excellent choices for warm climates. They thrive in full sun, needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to produce their best blooms.
During extreme heat or dry spells, give them an occasional deep watering to keep them looking their best. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to give them a strong start. I advise supplementing this with a liquid bloom booster every few weeks during peak flowering periods.
While these salvias are self-cleaning and don’t require deadheading to continue blooming, I like to trim back spent flowers occasionally to encourage fresh growth. A light midsummer pruning helps maintain their bushy, compact shape.
Most people in the South grow Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink as annuals. However, with protection, these resilient plants can sometimes survive a mild winter.
When it comes to companion planting, they pair beautifully with plants that enhance their rich colors and attract even more pollinators.
For a striking contrast, I recommend planting them alongside yellow or orange blooms like lantana, coreopsis or Rudbeckia, often called black-eyed Susan. The salvias’ upright form pairs well with mounded plants such as Blue My Mind evolvulus, which has a low-growing, trailing habit and bright blue flowers.
To add texture and movement to the garden, ornamental grasses like muhly grass make an excellent backdrop for these salvias. The ornamental grasses sway in the breeze and complement the salvias’ vertical spikes.
For a more cottage-style look, I recommend mixing them with verbena, zinnias and gauras, which create a natural, free-flowing display.
Give Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink a try in your outdoor space this year. These beautiful, low-maintenance plants are guaranteed to bring joy -- both to you and the pollinators that visit
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Lee County Master Gardener Projects
The Lee County Master Gardeners lead and participate in many projects that help to promote gardening and serve as beautification to areas in Lee County. The projects provide a way to engage the public in gardening activities and to share current ideas and develop new ideas. Please use the Master Gardener Project button to explore and learn how the Lee County Master Gardeners contribute their time and love of gardening with the community. |
Mississippi Vegetable Gardener's Guide
MSU Extension Publication Number: P3616
View as PDF: P3616.pdf
Variety Recommendations for Mississippi Vegetable Gardens
MSU Extension Publication Number P3744
View as PDF: P3744.pdf
There are many good reasons for growing a vegetable garden in Mississippi.
MSU Extension Publication Number: P3616
View as PDF: P3616.pdf
Variety Recommendations for Mississippi Vegetable Gardens
MSU Extension Publication Number P3744
View as PDF: P3744.pdf
There are many good reasons for growing a vegetable garden in Mississippi.
- A garden offers the opportunity to enjoy vegetables at their freshest. Sometimes only minutes elapse between harvest, preparation, and eating. Most fresh vegetables available at the grocery store travel about 1,800 miles between producer and consumer, and this travel often occurs over a period of several days. There’s a lot to be said for “homegrown” freshness.
- In recent years many people are growing vegetables to save money on their grocery bill.
- A garden can be a wonderful place for children. They provide opportunities for play, learning, and for having fun.
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Magnolia Botanical Gardens
Verona Research and Extension Center Magnolia Botanical Gardens serves as a demonstration and educational resource for green industry professionals and consumers. There are many ornamental plants in the botanical gardens including Mississippi Medallion plants. Many plants are labeled for identification. The public is invited to view these gardens to see plants they may want to include in their landscape. Magnolia Botanical Gardens is located at the Verona Research and Extension Center, south of Verona, MS on Hwy 145. |
Location:
MSU Lee County Extension Office
5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd.; Tupelo, MS 38801
MSU Lee County Extension Office
5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd.; Tupelo, MS 38801