Budding Out Plant Festival - The John Fairey GardenThe John Fairey Garden

EVENT INFO

Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Children under 12 are free. Gates will open at 8 am. Member access will be from 9am – 4pm; general public access will be from 10am – 4 pm.

Event will be held rain or shine.

The John Fairey Garden Nursery – selling rare and hard to find plants, including Brahea moorei, Beschorneria rigida, Phlebodium pseudoaureum, Quercus glauca, Litsea japonica, Chamaedorea radicalis, Mahonia gracilis, Callicarpa acuminata, Casimiroa pringlei, Bauhinia macranthera and many others. We will also be offering a selection of rare cycads. Plant availability subject to change.

Rare Tropicals – rare and collectable aroids – philodendrons, anthuriums, syngoniums. (Monstera Thai Constellation, Monstera Albo, Monstera Aurea, philo Pink Princess, philo Imbe variegata, Philo Bob Cee, Philo ring of fire, philo Birkin), collectable ficus (several imported from Thailand), associated bromeliads (neos), collectable crotons – 12+ varieties. (not Norma or Petra), Hoyas, a selection of sansevieria, and miscellaneous tropicals.

Gulf Coast Fern Society – Literature on ferns.

Fern Plantation – 100 different types of Ferns and sphagnum moss.

The Herb Cottage – assorted succulents, including various caudiform types, desert rose, Madagascar Palms, jatropha, ibervillea, haworthia, echeveria, rhipsaalis, and kalanchoes. Tropicals including various sansevieria varieties, monstera and others.

New Leaf Nursery – New Leaf Nursery offers familiar herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme) as well as those less common, such as winter savory, salad burnet and fennel. In spring and fall, we provide a wide range of heirloom and hybrid vegetable transplants, upwards of 50 tomato and pepper varieties. Year-round, we also offer perennials such as salvia (our specialty), cuphea, perennial hibiscus, mistflower, amaryllis, spider lilies, esperanza, rock rose and agastache.

Tejas Bulbs – Tejas has been growing , breeding and promoting heritage and modern Crinum lilies since 1983. Our offerings for the Festival will include about 20 selections; reds, pinks, whites, bicolors, many fragrant. Premium, blooming sized bulbs and young (starter) plants will be offered with cultural info and landscape tips by the people who actually grow them. Also, we will be offering other Mexican rarities: rainlilies, Golden Saguaro (Neobuxbaumia), assorted Air Plants (Tillandsias) and possibly some oaks.

‘I’m Into Plants’ – Inoculated mushroom logs (edible mushrooms – oyster, shitake, maitake)

Lone Star Native Nursery / New World Botanicals – We specialize in providing a wide variety of hard to find native plants. We have traveled across the state collecting seeds from naturally occurring species in the wild. Collecting from multiple texas ecogregions to obtain the strongest genetics suitable for all of Texas growing conditions. Making our selection the perfect choice for your native needs.

Zone 9 Tropicals – Zone 9 Tropicals specializes in rare and uncommon tropical plants. While we sell many plants that will survive outside in zone 9 winters, many are tropical and will not survive outside in zone 9 during the winter.

Pet Fly Trap – The most diverse selection of in-house carnivorous plants in the U.S.

Old School Produce – OSP’s specialty nursery grows unusual natives and exotics. Our staff loves to focus on edibles, herbs, cacti, succulents and hard to find perennials. If you’re looking for a nursery that grows the weird stuff, come check out our collections.

Green Star Wetlands – Green Star is a growing company offering locally-sourced native wetland plants for use in flood control basins, conservation and mitigation projects, treatment wetlands, green infrastructure, and landscape projects. Consultations are available for wetland site planning, plant selections, and management.

Antique Rose Emporium – Most passionate purveyors of antique and historic roses, and all things garden.

ARTISTS/ARTISANS/GIFTS

The John Fairey Garden – Books, t-shirts, tote bags, notecards and more

Migaloo Chocolatier – Fine Artisan Chocolate, Truffles, Chocolate Bars, Slabs, Bark, Spreadable Chocolate, Migaloo Marbles (coated almonds, coffee beans & goldenberries)

Blackwood Educational Land Institute – Elderberry shrub and syrup, Ginger coriander dressing, Herb salts, Herb oil, and their Herbal apothecary line.

Pollinator Portraits – Artfully captured photographs of Texas wildflowers, pollinators, and dragonflies, printed on various mediums including metal, canvas, and traditional photographic prints

Light and Shadow Glass – We are a husband and wife artist team from Houston, Texas who share a passion for craft & process art. Due to the nature of the medium, each piece is unique and one of a kind. The glass is carefully chosen for its ability to inspire. Original designs are created from the deep well of our imaginations, interests, and aesthetic sensibilities. All botanicals are sourced from our immediate environment and preserved in handmade presses.

Carter Homestead TX – was created by artist, herbalist, and mother, Sarah Mellott-Carter. She and her husband have been growing loofah and medicinal/culinary plants for years. They offer an array of value added products from what they grow and wild harvest here on their land in Waller county.

Helloblookat – After many cherished years working as a ceramic studio director and art director for artists with disabilities, Kati Hammond decided to plunge full-time into starting her own ceramic business, Hello Blookat – officially launching her online shop in the fall of 2020. Leaning into aesthetics she enjoyed in her youth as an avid sculptor, Hello Blookat features handmade, whimsical ceramics for the home. The decorative, one-of-a-kind pieces are often functional, doubling as a practical solution for everyday living. Whether it is giving your beloved plant a magical new pot or upgrading to a new playful set of salt and pepper shakers – Hello Blookat brings a reminder of what it is like giving way to childlike imagination again.

Nette’s Tea – Our tea selection includes a variety of herbal blends, each carefully crafted to bring out the unique flavors and benefits of each ingredient. Whether you’re looking for a calming chamomile tea to help you wind down after a long day, or a refreshing peppermint tea to invigorate your senses, we have something for everyone.

Lighthouse Glass – At Lighthouse Glass in Houston, Kim Clark Renteria has designed site-specific architectural stained glass for over 30 years for private residences, hospitals, commercial and sacred spaces throughout the United States and abroad. Archeologists have identified fused glass objects in Egypt as early as 2000 BCE. And in 2024 AD fusing glass is a huge passion of mine. I will be selling. functional fused glass. There will be vases, bowls, platters, small gift items such as ring holders, soap dishes, jewelry, and more. Each piece is a one of a kind piece of art.

Mariakeba Schnell Photography – Floral Art / Nature Photography prints

Méchante Mèche – Méchante Mèche: a delightful fusion of champagne’s effervescence and the comforting glow of candles. Our journey began when a love for champagne and all things cozy sparked the idea for something truly magical. Méchante Mèche is the brainchild of a passionate individual who sought to blend luxury with sustainability. Each candle is a testament to this vision, meticulously handcrafted using upcycled wine and champagne bottles. With Méchante Mèche, indulge in the art of relaxation and sophistication, one flickering flame at a time.

Brent Moon Nature Photography – Hailing from western Kentucky, Brent has lived in Texas for over 20 years. He is a Horticulturist by profession but has always had a love for the outdoors. His photography focuses on the beauty of the natural world, from flowers to wildlife to expansive landscapes.

Lisa Sacaris and George Sacaris – Hand dyed scarves, darned cashmere sweaters, and handmade metal trays and accessories

Bee Weaver – Honey, stickers, candy, gifts, farm information

FOOD AND DRINK VENDORS

Pine Island Country Store– smash burgers, hot dogs, and more

Pine Island Country Store – Grass fed beef, pasture raised chicken / turkey and eggs (uncooked)

Yeti Sunshine – Soft and fluffy shaved ice – Real fruit flavors – Nothing artificial.

Blue Mule Winery – Wine, T-shirts, Glassware, Wine accessories

Bronco Brew Mobile Specialty Coffee Bar – Coffee

DEMONSTRATIONS/INFORMATION

Bartlett Tree Experts – Ask the Arborist

San Antonio Botanical Garden

‘I’m Into Plants’ – 11 am in the Guest Cottage – “Understanding Gardening with Mushrooms” – Jane English, ‘I’m Into Plants’

Gardening with Charla – 1 pm in the Guest Cottage – “Influence of the John Fairey Garden in a Residential Landscape: How the plants, design and growing elements of the John Fairey garden are applied in my home landscape”

Bee Weaver – 2 pm in the picnic grove – A honeybee and beekeeping chat, honey tasting, and basic bee biology talk. Presented by BeeWeaver Honey Farm.