The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University recently celebrated the opening night of the 2025 Spring Plant Sale with the Magnolia Circle membership Party.
Approximately 220 members and guests attended for a stunning evening of garden inspiration. The annual Magnolia Circle ‘Pre-Plant Sale’ enjoyed friendly faces, wagons in tow, who were ready to refresh their gardens with new greenery.
Volunteers from several area garden clubs ensured an efficient shopping experience. Magnolia Circle members, those who are garden members at the Sustainer level ($125 annual gift of support) and above, enjoyed this exclusive early access to the sale, making the most of their elevated membership perks.
The evening was a beautiful celebration of nature, neighborliness, and the need for plants -- all rooted in the history and heart of the garden. The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University traces back to the meeting of Daniel (Dan) Bland and Catharine O'Neill. Bland was a self-taught naturalist with a deep appreciation and a keen interest in plants and animals from this region.
Bland’s parents gifted him the land to start a small rural farm. Today, the Botanic Garden is a beloved 11-acre sanctuary in the middle of the City, a place where nature, education, and community flourish in every season, especially in spring.
Set cabaret-style, the garden was elegantly dressed for the party, with white linen-draped tables surrounding the pavilion bandstand, creating the perfect ambiance to sip, savor, and sway. Live music by The Ripleys provided the soundtrack of the night, tempting a few to dance between shopping runs and garden conversations. Signature beverages flowed from the cocktail table: Peach Sangria, Blackberry Summer Tea, and classic wines.
The evening coincided with National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day, and naturally, Sugar Magnolia Catering embraced the theme with flair, serving a crispy breaded chicken breast, delicately stuffed with diced Black Forest ham and melted Swiss cheese, finished in a creamy Dijon butter sauce and baked to golden perfection.
Roasted baby potatoes à la Provence, tossed with garlic, olive oil, and house-blended seasonings, and a French bistro salad of butter lettuce with shaved fennel, toasted pecans, and sliced strawberries, dressed in a zesty lemon poppyseed vinaigrette, rounded out the meal.
The Spring Plant Sale offers something for every kind of gardener. A large inventory of native perennials, shrubs, and trees are on display each year. These plants are pollinator-friendly and perfect for Georgia landscapes.There were heirloom varieties of favorites like camellias, azaleas, day lilies, and irises.
They also offered edibles, including blueberries and citrus, which are great for home gardens. Seasonal color, landscape plants, and some hard-to-find specimens and household plants for indoor greenery lovers were also on sale.
All sales benefited the garden, including supporting student workers, plant maintenance, and improvements of the property.
“Plant sales should serve the purpose of generating revenue, getting people into the garden, and paying for plants that we want in the collection," Todd Beasley, Ed.D Garden Director, said. "It is a positive challenge when something sells out. We never know what people will buy despite magazines trying to predict popular plants. In the end, we should view it like Thomas Jefferson said: ‘The greatest service which can be rendered to any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.’"
Beasley concluded that the addition of plants to your own home 'culture' can be just the welcome respite from the noise of the outside world you might need.
Become a supporter today
Join me and other members of the Grice Connect team in becoming a supporter of this hidden jewel in the heart of our city. While Georgia Southern University provides some support, the Garden relies on contributions for new plantings, gardens, exhibits, programs, and buildings. Your support not only helps us plant new life into the soil but also educates individuals of all ages, nurturing a Garden we can proudly hand down to generations to come.
Membership begins at only $35 per year.
The MAGNOLIA CIRCLE includes the Sustainer ($125 annually), Promoter ($250 annually), Visionary ($500 annually), and Benefactor ($1,000 annually) membership levels. At the MAGNOLIA CIRCLE level, dues go beyond the cost of membership and contribute to Garden programs and progress.
MAGNOLIA CIRCLE members also receive additional benefits, including reciprocal or reduced admission at over 300 gardens nationwide.
For participating gardens, visit: www.ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap
Donate
Click here to donate online or contact Todd Beasley, Director, at [email protected]
Membership
Mail check payment to THE GARDEN, P. O. BOX 8039, STATESBORO, GA 30460
