Gardening

Flowering plants that don’t require soil, some that grow from lava, and others that literally resurrect from the dead are just a sample of the unique foliage that can be found at the second annual Main Street Flower Market from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Goodman Museum LeGrand Gardens at 624 N. Broadway Ave., publicity officials announced.

The Flower Market is organized by the Heart of Tyler Main Street Program.

“This year’s 15 vendors will have distinctive products that you may not find somewhere else,” said Flower Market Chairman Pene Bridges.

The Exotic Plant Place will be selling lava plants, Hawaiian Plumeria, and lucky bamboo while L&R Marketing will be offering glass bird feeders, cement with stained glass garden stones and metal wind-spinners and wind chimes.

Cindy the Potter and Pottery by Sherry will have functional and ornamental designs to hold your favorite plants.

Keep Tyler Beautiful will be selling an assortment of a dozen different types of bedding plants, such as marigolds, zinnias and snapdragons; with proceeds going to the LeGrand Gardens project. Bob Wells Nursery will have fruit, nut, shade, ornamental and flowering trees while R&T Quality Nursery is bringing Japanese maples, dogwoods, berry vines and more. Ravensworth Landscaping & Design will have water features, pots, plants and art for sale and Blooming Baskets will have hanging plants. The Central East Texas Orchid Society will be offering their namesake. Benches and Birdhouses and Green Mountain Energy will also be at the event. Old favorites will also be on hand, such as Kimbrew-Walter Roses and Chamblee Roses.

The Smith County Master Gardeners will be there to answer your gardening questions.

The event will also be fun for the entire family, with the Discovery Science Place teaching children about earth science and helping them make birdhouses.

The Azalea Belles and Chick-Fil-A baby cows will be at the Flower Market on Saturday for photo opportunities.

“More than 1,500 people attended the Flower Market last year, setting a record for number of visitors to the Goodman Museum,” said Ms. Bridges. “We look forward to even more people turning out to support local vendors, visit a historic landmark in Tyler and purchase unique, beautiful items to enhance their home gardens.”
Sponsors for the event are Green Mountain Energy, Tyler Solid Waste, Marsha Harrison, Chris Simons, Coca-Cola and Pene Bridges.

For more information, visit www.heartoftyler.com or contact Ms. Bridges at 903-592-6979 or pbridges@tylertexas.com.

picking a plant: Many East Texans made their way to the Main Street Flower Market in 2007. The market will offer a colorful variety of plants again, beginning Friday.
(Courtesy Photo)