The Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is welcoming the community with a burst of color this winter and spring, starting with its annual orchid sale on Feb. 7, followed by the return of the large-scale Plant Sale and Gardeners Market on April 25.
The orchid sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon inside the garden’s conservatory at 2731 W. 2nd Street. Featuring 75 orchids in a range of colors, the sale is cash-and-carry and typically sells out quickly.
“They’re $25 each, and we always sell out, so don’t wait,” said Garden Director Laurna Strehl. “We’ll have about eight color options, and guests will have a rare chance to drive through the garden to pick them up, which we only allow during this event because it’s usually cold.”
Visitors can park and stroll through the conservatory, which Strehl described as warm, green, and tropical. The space recently hosted a wedding as the snow began to fall, creating a unique memory for the couple and their guests.
“It’s a little bright spot on your day while you shop,” she said.
The orchids are supplied by a grower near Franklin, Tennessee, who raises them from a young age and delivers them in peak condition. Strehl said each plant is carefully inspected before the sale to ensure quality and avoid pests.
Payment options include cash, credit, check, and Venmo, though Strehl encouraged cash purchases to help offset rising processing fees.
The garden’s spring event, the Annual Plant Sale and Gardeners Market, will be held April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free.
“We make it a festival,” Strehl said. “We’ll have coffee and food trucks, more than two dozen curated vendors, and tons of native and pollinator-friendly plants.”
Snippy Jim, a returning vendor, will be on-site offering tool and knife sharpening while visitors browse. Local retailer Gordon’s True Value will also participate with a variety of garden tools and supplies.
Vendor booths will feature plants, handmade goods, and nature-themed products. Strehl said the garden is intentional about vendor selection to ensure a quality mix and a successful day for sellers and shoppers alike.
“It takes thousands of volunteer hours and about 50 volunteers to make it happen,” she said. “We want visitors to enjoy the day, support the garden, and leave with something they love.”
The plant sale is one of the garden’s biggest fundraisers and helps support operations year-round. For more information, visit wkbg.org.
