Spring signals the return of one of the area’s favorite gardening events — the Lake Granbury Master Gardener (LGMG) Plant Sale, which will be held April 18. Each year the event draws gardeners from across the region who are eager to purchase plants that have a proven ability to thrive in challenging conditions.

Unlike plants available at retail stores, many of the plants offered at the sale have been cultivated locally by Master Gardeners and tended in the group’s greenhouse. Still other plants are carefully selected from wholesale nurseries and chosen for their known performance in the Texas heat, their drought tolerance and for their wildlife value, such as nectar plants for pollinators. These plants will make beautiful additions to local gardens.

Many selections carry the Texas Superstar® designation, meaning they have been extensively tested and highly recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. One such plant is plumbago, which is known for its sky-blue flowers that bloom from late spring until frost. Plumbago forms a graceful 3-4 ft. mound. It thrives in full sun, tolerates summer heat and once established, handles drought well. Butterflies frequent its blooms.

Another popular Texas Superstar® is ‘John Fanick’ phlox, a perennial that grows 2-3 ft. tall and produces clusters of soft pink flowers with dark centers. Unlike other phlox varieties, it handles heat and humidity well while attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

Also to be offered are dwarf Mexican petunias, a compact spreading variety that makes an attractive groundcover. The plants’ trumpet-shaped purple, pink or white flowers persist from early summer until frost. Mexican petunias tolerate both sun and partial shade and are especially valued for their ability to bloom in intense heat.

Another purple-flowered bloomer, Mexican bush sage, will be available at the sale. It is a very showy plant for late summer-to-fall gardens. It grows 3-4 ft. tall and produces velvety purple flower spikes. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to its nectar-rich blooms.

Gardeners looking for a native plant that blooms in partial shade may enjoy ‘Texas Gold’ columbine. It produces distinctive-looking yellow nodding flowers in spring. Plants grow 1-2 ft. tall and attract hummingbirds and early pollinators.

Salvias are among the standout offerings at the sale, especially ‘Greg’s Blue Mist,’ which is a reliable and beautiful type of autumn sage (Salvia greggii). This hardy perennial demonstrates exceptional heat and drought tolerance when established. In full sun, Greg’s Blue Mist grows into a 2-3 ft. mound and produces a profusion of soft blue, tubular blooms from spring through fall. Its nectar-rich flowers lure hummingbirds and butterflies.

For nonstop summer color, ‘New Gold’ lantana is a proven performer. This spreading plant produces bright golden blooms from early summer until frost. It thrives in full sun with minimal water after establishment. Butterflies are also drawn to lantana.

What else is popular? Red yucca, which lures hummingbirds, has striking structure with its narrow evergreen succulent leaves and tall flower spikes sporting coral-red tubular blooms. It is an easy-care shrub-form perennial for hot, dry locations. Also, Texas native perennial Turk’s cap is a stellar performer in sun or shade. It forms 4-6 ft. mounds and covers itself in unusual red flowers that resemble tiny turbans. Hummingbirds and butterflies love it!

Gardeners also select ‘Gold Star’ Esperanza for its brilliantly colored yellow, trumpet-shaped summer blooms. It forms a 4-5 ft. shrub that thrives in hot sun, luring pollinators to its blooms. Another sought-after native is rock rose, a low-growing perennial that sports pink hibiscus-like blooms. This extremely drought-tolerant plant supports bees and butterflies.

Also offered for sale will be an area favorite fertilizer — Zoo Poo from the Fort Worth Zoo! In addition to perennial and shrub favorites, the Master Gardeners hope to offer bluebonnets, milkweed and assorted warm-season annuals.

Come early to join the crowds lining up for the 8 a.m. opening. The sale will continue until noon or whenever all plants are sold. Location is the LGMG Demonstration Garden behind Hood County Annex 1, 1410 W. Pearl St. No purchase is necessary to browse, visit the Demonstration Garden or consult with Master Gardeners who will be happy to answer gardening questions. Monies raised will fund scholarships and community education programs. For more information, call the Texas AgriLife Extension in Hood County at 817-579-3280.

Written and Photographed by LGMG Phyllis Webster