Cultivate: The Ultimate Plant Social
About this Event
Saturday, August 15th – Gates open at 9:00am
For Garden’s Sake | 9197 NC-751, Durham, NC 27713
Admission: FREE | FREE on-site parking
Calling all plant lovers, backyard growers, indoor collectors, and the green-thumb curious! Join us at For Garden’s Sake for Cultivate: The Ultimate Plant Social.
We are evolving beyond our Rare Houseplant roots to bring you a boutique garden festival and community gathering. Think of it as the ultimate shopping event and weekend hangout for local plant nerds! We’ve packed a great variety of plant trends into our charming garden center grounds, making this the perfect place to connect, learn, and socialize with fellow local hobbyists.
Around the Nursery: Shopping and Curated Plant Stations
Stroll through the garden center to shop our spotlight stations and curated displays. Chat with our team and outside experts about:
- Specialty Collections: Discover the distinct artistry of bonsai; rare houseplants, orchids, Japanese maples, David Austin® roses, carnivorous plants, and hinoki cypress/conifers.
- Eco-Conscious & Outdoor Gardening: Dive into climate-resilient & native plants (perfect for wildlife and pollinators), cut flower gardening, and fall edibles (veggies, herbs, and fruit shrubs).
- Creative Micro-Climates: Explore terrariums, vivariums, and fairy gardens.
- The Essentials: Level up your setup with premium pottery, plant wares, hardgoods & garden structures. Learn about semi-hydro & pon, specialty soils and beneficial insects in your garden.
- Vendor Engagement: Shop and chat with our amazing vendors, including BeWild Reptile Rescue, BFG Distribution, Carolina Bonsai, East Coast Tropicals, Hearn Ceramics, Kokedama Experience, Nahunga Creek Tropicals, NC Country Roads Honey, Pede My Pants, and Wheelspun Pottery.
Activities & Entertainment
9am-10am, The Cultivate Plant Swap: FREE! Bring your healthy, pest-free plants and cuttings to trade with fellow enthusiasts! Standard swap rules apply—come ready to share the plant love. (Online registration required! Registration coming soon!)
10am-4pm, Vendor Tables: Shop and chat with our amazing vendors! Topics include: Kokedama, beekeeping and honey, bonsai, houseplants, carnivorous plants, orchids, pottery, hardgoods and soils.
10:30am-11:30am, Kid-Friendly Container Garden Workshop: Build a Dino or Fairy Garden with East Coast Tropicals. A perfect hands-on activity for mini-makers. (Online registration and fee required. Limited spots available. Registration coming soon!)
12pm-1pm, Houseplant Bingo: FREE! As many games as we can fit in an hour. Win some amazing prizes from For Garden’s Sake! (Online registration required. Limited spots available. Registration coming soon!)
12pm-4pm, Meet the Animals: FREE! Say hello to some amazing scaley friends with a special guest appearance by BeWild Reptile Rescue.
2pm-3pm, Succulents Bowl Workshop: Create a beautiful, water-wise container garden with East Coast Tropicals. (Online registration and fee required. Limited spots available. Registration coming soon!)
Social & Eats
Unwind and enjoy live music by Sam Trebing from 1pm-4pm, grab lunch from the Jolly Sandwich Company from 11am-4pm, and head over to the Potting Shed bar for a refreshing beverage or popsicle.
Whether you’re a longtime FGS regular or a local hobbyist discovering us for the first time, this event is for you! Come celebrate the community that helps us all grow.
Online registration and fee are required for the Build a Dino/Fairy Garden Workshop and the Succulents Bowl Workshop due to limited spots.
No registration or fee are required to participate in the Plant Swap or Houseplant Bingo. However, space is limited so please arrive early to ensure your spot!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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