Find garden treasures at Charlotte-area plant sales

Fall is a fantastic time for planting perennial herbs and flowers, cool-season vegetables, shrubs and trees.
So every year you’ll see a series of plant sales in the Charlotte area where you can find extra-special treasures. Among the reliable locations are Wing Haven Gardens, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens and Central Piedmont Community College Horticulture Building on the Cato Campus.
See dates and times for this year’s sales below.
If you are interested in growing lavender, fall-blooming salvias and ornamental ginger plant as sorely needed bright spots for autumn, consider adding one more location as you mark your calendar: The Lavender Farm Shop, also called La Bastide des Lavandes. It’s in York County, S.C.
Landscape designer Chris Pinard’s Mediterranean-style gardens will inspire you as you make a plan for fall planting. You’ll see lots of ideas that you can borrow.
Tours of Pinnard’s 9-acre property are available in September and October. He’ll also take orders for lavender plants that grow well in the Piedmont and offer growing tips.

Register for tours here.

Sullivan: home@charlotteobserver.com; Twitter: @sullivan_obs

Fall Plant Sales

• CPCC Horticulture: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 21. Details: www.cpcc.edu/horticulture.
• Wing Haven Gardens: Members preview 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 9. Open to the public 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12. Details: www.winghavengardens.com.
• UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens: Members preview 3-6 p.m. Oct. 17. Open to the public 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19. Details: http://gardens.uncc.edu.