Affordable new offerings during an annual holiday plant sale at the New Hanover County Arboretum could help a therapeutic gardening program extend its reach.
In addition to the traditional poinsettias and Christmas cacti, more than a dozen local artisans will sell handmade pottery, metalwork and textiles, all priced under $50, during the ‘Tis the Season Craft and Plant Market.
For a green gift, shoppers can bring in a container or buy a container at the arboretum and create a custom planter. Heather Kelejian, director of the Ability Gardens program, said the greenhouse is overflowing with indoor and outdoor plants for sale during the market.
“We propagated a lot to get ready for the sale, and hopefully we’re going to clear our greenhouse out,” Kelejian said.
Plant experts will be available to ensure shoppers combine plants that thrive under similar conditions. The cost of a customized planter ranges from roughly $10 to $40, Kelejian said, based on how rare or hard some plants are to grow.
“Plants are great gifts,” Kelejian said. “A simple house plant collection can be very easy to take care of, a nice way to brighten a room, and it can help clean the air in houses or schools.”
Pre-planted containers with indoor and outdoor plants tolerant of cooler weather, including pansies and parsley, will also be available.
Kelejian hopes the craft and plant sale will bring in $6,000 to invest into the Ability Garden, a therapeutic gardening program that serves up to 2,500 disabled and disadvantaged people each year. The program coordinates with local public schools, vocational training programs, adult care facilities and nursing homes to connect people of all ages and disabilities with nature.
“We can serve someone who needs hand-over-hand help to participate, to someone who doesn’t have any physical disability but is recovering from drug addiction or alcohol addiction and is trying to learn some new leisure skills,” Kelejian said.
The reach of the program shrunk in recent years due to funding cuts, Kelejian said, but she hopes to reinstate a group open to any community members and increase the Ability Garden’s presence in schools, nursing homes and adult care facilities with proceeds from the market.
She noted the event also provides an opportunity for kids to tackle holiday shopping.
“We wanted to make it affordable so kids could come in and buy gifts for their parents or teachers,” Kelejian said.
The craft and plant market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7.
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