The 40th annual PLANTFEST! was held this past Saturday and Sunday at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum, where the beautiful weather and the wide range of activities and plants drew a large crowd.
Over 3,000 individual plants and 300 species of plants were sourced from nurseries around Louisiana and Texas for this year’s plant sale. The event not only sold plants, but also hosted fun activities for children, a gift shop, garage sale and design services and consultations. All items sold at the event were tax free.
The botanical garden is located off of Highland Road, only minutes away from campus. It’s usually open every day of the week during daylight hours. Its proximity to campus makes it easy for any stressed-out student to bask in nature and learn more about native plant species.
READ MORE: LSU students, instructor put the zoom in Zumba at UREC classes: ‘You burn so much on this class’
The arboretum offered early access to current members of the Friends of Hilltop on Oct. 25, where they had the first look the plants on sale. Members were also given discounts on plants and in the gift shop, depending on their membership level. Violet-level members received a 10% discount, while the Azalea-level received the same and free admission to the event.
Landscape architecture freshman Alianna Badeuax partook in this year’s event with her friends by purchasing native pollinators to add to her garden. She said she was most excited to meet with professionals about potential career paths in this field.
“I love how interactive the arboretum makes the plant sale,” Badeaux said. “My favorite part is that it is in enjoyable for everyone, even if you’re not interested in plants. I brought my friends who are in other majors, and they had fun.”
PLANTFEST! is only one of many events that the LSU Hilltop Arboretum hosts every year; its November calendar is filled with volunteer work and fall camps. These events are tailored to both children and adults, like the Junior Master Gardener camp. Events like these are designed to get the entire community involved, but PLANTFEST! remains the most populated every year.
“Now that I’ve seen what the arboretum can do, I’ll be sure to make it to more events this year,” Badeaux said.
READ MORE: Opinion: Fall is the best season, and it’s not close
For those who are not so plant-savvy, experts were present at the arboretum, informing the public on the plants and assisting people in finding the right options.
The plant sale is not just for people interested in building up their garden, the Hilltop Arboretum said in a promotional release. PLANTFEST! is for newbies and returning visitors alike.
