Berkshire Botanical Garden Signature Pot Unveiled at 32nd Annual Plant Sale

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. - The Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, Massachusetts will hold the 32nd Annual Plant Sale on Friday May 8th from 10am-5pm and Saturday, May 9th from 9am-5pm with early buying Friday May 9th from 8am-10am with a $10 fee and free for members.

Buyers will choose from thousands of plants, including many rare and unusual perennials, trees, and shrubs and featuring tried-and- true classics. In celebration of the Garden's 75th Anniversary Season, a newly designed signature pot will be on sale for the first time. This commemorative flower pot comes in four sizes and has been beautifully embossed with the Garden's own unique logo to mark this special occasion.

Experts from the Garden staff and knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to assist shoppers, answer questions and provide practical gardening advice about growing and caring for plants.“ The tried-and-true classic, great performing plant is the theme of this year’s 75th Anniversary sale,” says Dorthe Hviid, Director of Horticulture at the Garden. “These hard-working plants have stood the test of time and can withstand the often challenging growing conditions found in the Berkshires. These tough workhorses include: Leucanthemum, Agastache, Hydrangea paniculata, Calycanthus, Daylilys, Hosta, Iris, Geranium, Amelanchier, Cotinus, Clematis, and Viburnum. Combined in mixed borders, these tree and shrub shapes not only provide winter interest, they give permanent height, scale, and texture to traditional perennial beds.”

Plant shoppers will again receive free garden designs featuring many of the plants that will be for sale. Designs are created by the Garden’s horticultural staff and intended to inspire gardeners or be used as a blueprint. This year’s free, give-away designs include a shrub border for sun, a mixed border of shrubs and perennials, and a native plant border. Written planting and plant care instructions are also included for all the plants purchased in the sale. “And don’t forget a gift for Mother’s Day,” says Dorthe Hviid. “We’re offering Gardens-in-a-Box, hanging baskets, pre-planted containers for sun and shade perfect for an entrance, patio, or garden room, as well as pre-planted pots of succulents, and mini lettuce and herb planters. These one-of-a-kind gifts are all priced very reasonably.”


Select vendors will sell organically grown herbs and vegetables, native wetland plants, rustic garden furniture, metal garden décor and ornaments, hypertufa troughs and planters, and more. Top-quality compost direct from Holiday Farm (Dalton, MA) will be sold by the bag. Old, new, and gently used gardening books and cookbooks will be available. Don’t forget to stop by the Garden’s Gift Shop for the annual “Spring Cleaning Sale” with 25% to 50% savings on a wide selection of garden-related gifts, gear, and accessories.

Renowned for its inspiring gardens, educational programs and exquisite setting, the Berkshire Botanical Garden is one of New England’s oldest and most treasured public gardens. Established in 1934, its mission was to inspire and educate the community in responsible horticulture and home grown food. Today, with a year-round schedule of gardening classes, prestigious guest lecturers and a horticulture certification program in addition to our special events, we honor these founding values that are timelier than ever. Come roam the Garden’s 15 lush acres where 3,000 regionally appropriate plant species, significant trees, unique shrubs and exotic botanical collections take center stage in an ever-changing theater of the senses.

Admission to the Garden and parking throughout the two-day event are free. Food and r efreshments will be available. Garden members will enjoy a 10% discount on plant purchases; memberships may be purchased or renewed at the sale. For further information please call:413-298-3926 or emailinfo@berkshirebotanical.org/www.berkshirebotanical.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

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