Aug. 31 column: Friends of Manito plant sale

Viola ‘Heartthrob’ (foreground) and painted fern (background).

Wow, how can it be the last day of August already?! But it’s just in time for my last column of the month in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Time to focus on perennials, trees, shrubs. This one is all about the fall plant sale put on by the Friends of Manito.

It will be held on Sat., Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., although if you’re a TFM member, you can shop early at 8 a.m.

Not familiar with the The Friends of Manito plant sales? Well, they are the place to be if you’re looking for fabulous perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs or vines — they do a great job of selecting plants hardy for the Inland Northwest (zone 5-ish) that will knock your socks off. Don’t let the time of year scare you: fall is an excellent for planting.

In the column, I make recommendations of a few plants that would be great selections. As always, all proceeds from the sale go right back into Manito Park so it’s a great benefit to the community.

If you’re not a member of TFM, you can still arrive at 8 a.m. and join on Saturday and still get in. How’s that for a deal?