Etowah County Master Gardeners are hard at work getting ready for the association’s annual greenhouse sale, which will occur sometime in the spring. The exact dates and hours of the sale have not yet been determined.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Master Gardeners have been busy propagating plants, repotting plants, repairing the facilities, cleaning, maintaining and operating the greenhouses, all while wearing masks and social distancing.

Among the plants to be offered this spring at the sale is a large collection of coleuses, geraniums, ferns, Swedish ivy, begonias, ferns, succulents and Persian shield. In addition, blueberry plants, trees, azaleas and other shrubs will be for sale.

Swedish ivy makes a great house plant, especially when grown in a hanging basket. In addition, the plant works great outdoors suspended from a hook on a porch or gazebo. 

Swedish ivy is easy to grow and has a bushy tendency, with thick stems that initially grow upright, then the stems flow over the sides of the basket, showing off the lovely thick stems and green and white variegated, deeply veined foliage with scalloped edges. In late spring or summer, the plant will develop lavender or white flowers, but the flowers are not as impressive as the plant’s lovely foliage.

During the growing season, Swedish ivy grows best in somewhat moist, but not waterlogged soil. The plant will struggle with root rot if given too much water. In the winter months when growth has slowed, provide the plant with less water, but never allow Swedish ivy to dry out completely. The plant performs best in bright indirect sunlight.

This ivy is a vigorous grower and will need to be pruned on a regular basis to stay in shape. When the flowers fade, remove the stem tips to increase branching, and to encourage a fuller and more attractive plant. 

And of course, there will be vegetables at the plant sale. Dale Garner, the Master Gardener in charge of growing vegetables, always offers several types of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and onions. There also will be other vegetables and herbs for sale.

Start making plans now to attend our spring sale, which will be conducted at the Master Gardener greenhouses located at the rear of the property at 3200 W. Meighan Blvd., in Gadsden.

Carol (Bonnie) Link is an Etowah County Master Gardener and an experienced garden writer. Her weekly column is designed to help and encourage others in their gardening endeavors. Send questions or comments to clink43@bellsouth.net.