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UTEP’s 27th FloraFest Offers Diverse Plants for Sale

Last Updated on April 13, 2021 at 12:00 AM

Originally published April 13, 2021

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

EL PASO, Texas – The University of Texas at El Paso’s Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens invites community members to start their spring season at the FloraFEST 2021 Annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18, 2021, at Leech Grove.

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens hosts the FloraFEST 2021 Annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18, 2021, at Leech Grove.
The University of Texas at El Paso’s Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens hosts the FloraFEST 2021 Annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18, 2021, at Leech Grove.

This is the 27th year for FloraFEST, the region’s biggest event to buy native and drought-resistant plants. Shoppers can find varieties of diverse shrubs, trees and flowering plants that are seldom found at local nurseries or retailers. Organizers expect various plant species that will beautify a landscape and generate environmental and ecological benefits to our desert region.

Most plants will be priced from $8 to $40, but some could be more expensive. Organizers will accept only credit/debit cards for payment this year. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward the maintenance and operation of the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens.

Daniel Carey-Whalen, director of the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, said that the sales staff will include many volunteer master gardeners, horticulturists and other local plant experts who will be available to answer questions about plant care. He also encouraged visitors to tour the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens.

Organizers remind shoppers to follow University guidelines to wear a face covering, maintain a social distance of 6 feet and wash hands frequently. All visitors should complete the screening questions at screening.utep.edu before coming to campus. There will be hand sanitation stations around the sales area. If necessary, organizers will limit the number of shoppers at any given time to ensure enough space between people.

Visitors may park for free in the inner campus on weekends. Wagons and volunteers will be available to help shoppers to load their vehicles.

For FloraFEST 2021 updates, please visit https://www.florafest.org/.