A feast for Baltimore's green thumbs

Green thumbs will reign at area plant sales this weekend

The 93rd Flowermart might have seniority, but it's far from the only place where you can buy flowers and other plants this weekend — and we're not talking about the neighborhood grocery, hardware or department store. We're talking about special events where horticulture and green-thumbery reign. Here are three possibilities:

Historic Annapolis Maybe you've been to Annapolis' historic William Paca House, home to both a signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the area's most fabulously ornate gardens? Saturday and Sunday, staff and volunteers will be on hand at the Paca Garden to help you choose from hundreds of perennials, annuals, woody plants and vines — many descended from plants that have been around since Colonial times, others relatively new to the garden business. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday. The Paca Garden is at 1 Martin St. in Annapolis. Admission is free. Information: 410-267-8146 or annapolis.org (where a catalog of the plants for sale can be viewed online).

Cromwell Valley Park Two groups that use Baltimore County's Cromwell Valley Park as their base —Cromwell Valley CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) and Therapeutic Alternatives of Maryland (TALMAR) will be joining forces for a plant sale Saturday and Sunday. CVCSA will be offering a selection of organic vegetable seedlings, while TALMAR will have on hand an assortment of annuals and perennials, as well as some unusual herbs (including chocolate basil). The sale is set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. both days at the park's Sherwood Barn. The park entrance is at 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road. Information: 410-887-2503 or cromwellvalleypark.org.

Cylburn Arboretum This most lush of Baltimore's horticultural delights celebrates its 42^nd annual Cylburn Market Day on Saturday. A host of garden clubs, nurseries and other green thumbs will be selling all manner of plants, including some native tree species cultivated by the Baltimore City Forestry Board. While you're there, be sure to check out the new 10,000-square-foot visitors center, the most visible of the $6 million in improvements that were unveiled at Cylburn's grand reopening last week. The arboretum is at 4915 Greenspring Ave. Hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 410-367-2217 or cylburnassociation.org.

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