Mother’s Day Plant Sale At The Vanderbilt

Calling all gardeners! The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s corps of volunteer gardeners, who help beautify the landmark Vanderbilt estate, will sell perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees on Friday, May 11, from 12 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the museum parking lot.

The sale will focus on gifts for Mothers’ Day, Sunday, May 13. Admission to the plant sale is free. Proceeds will fund the continued beautification of the estate grounds. 

Bill Hall, a master gardener and longtime volunteer who coordinates the plant sale, says the goal is to sell “the finest quality flowers, shrubs and trees at the fairest prices.” 

Lance Reinheimer, interim executive director of the museum, said most of the three dozen volunteer gardeners have donated their time and skills for years. “Many of these dedicated volunteers are certified master gardeners,” he said. “We’re grateful for their passion and commitment. Their work makes the museum and mansion look spectacular.” 

Available stock will include potted flowers for an average of $6 to $7; rhododendrons for $12; Knockout roses (priced up to $30 elsewhere) for $15; flats of 48 impatiens (priced $18 elsewhere) for $13; and hanging baskets (priced up to $50 elsewhere) for $22. 

Shrubs for sale will include andromeda, azalea, rhododendrons, leucothoe, camellias, tree peony, gold thread cypress, PJM and purple gem rhododendrons, maple trees and dwarf spreading juniper. Perennials will include lupine, hellebores, fox glove and Oriental poppy. 

The volunteers, in addition to planting flowers and spring bulbs around the mansion grounds, design plantings for the many small gardens and elegant stone planters. The gardeners also plant and maintain a large vegetable garden on the estate grounds. The volunteers plan to donate the garden’s bountiful harvest to a local food pantry.

Story & photo by Patrick Keeffe