The Great Plant Race

One of the most highly anticipated events for gardeners in North Carolina is Raulston Arboretum's Annual Plant Distribution. This yearly occurrence at the state arboretum in Raleigh is referred to by most of us gardeners as the "plant giveaway"  The only requirement for being a part of this great occasion is to have a membership at the Arboretum. If there is one thing gardeners appreciate more than being outside in their gardens, it is getting free plants! We just can't help ourselves. It doesn't matter that we may have no idea where we are going to put them. We will dig up new areas in our landscapes if we need to! I was unable to attend last year, but reportedly hundreds of gardeners stood in rain and ran in mud to obtain their precious freebies.

Having a sister and brother-in-law who live in Raleigh, and are plant enthusiasts like myself is fortunate for me. (they were among last year's rain-soaked participants, by the way)! My sister, her husband, my husband, myself, and a college friend, arrived at the Arboretum when the gates opened at 7:30 am in order to have a better chance at getting the plants that we wanted.  I must say that standing in line can be a fun experience as long as the weather is cooperative. It is always interesting to converse with other serious gardeners, especially those who have been coming to the giveaway for years. There are good stories to hear, and getting a chance to see the Arboretum gardens surrounding us is a treat! If you have to wait in a line for 1 1/2 hours, this setting is hard to beat!

A plant list is made available online the week of the giveaway, so participants can go ahead and decide what to go for. The list contains the names of available plants and the stake numbers where they will be. Some participants make a list of those plants they want and take it with them; others, like myself, write the names and stake numbers on their hands or wrists for easy viewing. The plants are arranged in quadrants with stake numbers, and there is an additional area which contains unlisted plants. Prior to the 9:00 start of the giveaway, an Arboretum staff member announces the rules of the giveaway. The main ones are:  There are four rounds. A horn is blown before each round, at which time participants can grab three different plants on their want list for the first three rounds. Participants re-position themselves after each round, then wait for the horn to blow again. After three rounds, each person should have 9 plants. In the fourth and final round everyone is allowed to grab as many plants as they can! People bring boxes and wheelbarrows to hold their plants. Interestingly, the written rules say that fellow gardeners should respect each other at all times. However  there is nothing that explicitly says that they cannot push or knock each other down in pursuit of plants!

Truth be told, I have never seen anyone knocked down, although I have witnessed scheming, lying, and Olympic worthy running by gardeners at this happening. Sometimes, fellow gardeners will actually cooperate with one another to get the plants they want. The great plant race, from start to finish, takes about 15 minutes! Thousands of plants are grabbed and the display space is emptied in this short time! Perhaps the most difficult ordeal of the day is carrying one's plants back to the car! At day's end, my husband and I managed to obtain over 20 plants. Next to our stash, the best part of the day was the post-giveaway brunch made by my sister! What could be better than plants and brunch? I am already eagerly anticipating next year's event. Now if I can just figure out where I am going to put my new plants!