Find 20,000-plus water-wise plants at one sale

Fall is the best time to plant water-wise perennials, shrubs and trees, especially California natives.

Which means this Saturday may be the best day to buy those plants, too.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery hosts one of its largest sales of the year. In stock and ready to go are more than 20,000 plants in nearly 800 varieties – all water-wise and proven to thrive in the greater Sacramento area.

The hardest part? Choosing which plants to bring home. The Arboretum staff has some suggestions.

“Need plants? But you’re not sure which are right for your spot?” ask the organizers. “Create a wish list using our online inventory with photos, then shop for them at this Saturday’s Plant Sale at the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery! PRO TIP: Filter by category – low-water, shade, California native, Future Favorite, etc.”

Find the inventory link here: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/plant-sales

Need more ideas? Take a look at the nursery’s demonstration gardens featuring Arboretum All-Stars and other flowering favorites.

The sale begins with a members-only hour from 9 to 10 a.m. for the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. (Not a member? Join at the gate and get discounts immediately.) The sale is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members receive a 10% discount no matter when they shop.

Another tip from a veteran shopper at this event: Bring your own wagon or shopping cart; there often is a wait for the nursery’s wagons.

The one-acre nursery is located on Garrod Drive near the university’s small animal teaching hospital. Admission to the sale is free; parking at UC Davis is free on weekends. Follow the signs and student volunteers’ flags to available parking.

The final Arboretum sale of fall is a clearance sale, scheduled 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and open to everyone. 

For more details and directions on the sale: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/