FISHERS, Ind. (April 24, 2012) Give the gift of a beautiful garden for Mother’s Day by shopping at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park’s Mother’s Day Plant Sale on May 11-13. The annual sale features a wide variety of local and unique vegetable plants, herbs and flowers with some seeds and starts coming straight from Conner Prairie’s own gardens.

New this year, Conner Prairie is adding peppers to the list of available plants, including the Bhut Jolokia that was only recently knocked from its perch as the world’s hottest pepper. Guests can also shop 23 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Some of the tomato varieties not only originate locally, such as the Broad Ripple Yellow Currant, but also are not commercially available elsewhere. A wide variety of herbs and flowers will be available as well. While supplies last, free packages of French Marigold seeds collected from the park’s own gardens will be given away with each purchase.

Proceeds from the sale help support Conner Prairie’s gardening program that provides produce to help feed the hungry in Hamilton County. Conner Prairie’s gardens also provide color and life to the historic outdoor areas and offer guests hands-on experiences as they help plant, cultivate, harvest and preserve the park’s heirloom plants.

Make Mother’s Day memorable by spending the day visiting Conner Prairie’s five historic outdoor areas. Throughout May, participate in a variety of garden-related activities as the park celebrates the monthly theme of Green Thumbs Up! Grab a shovel and help costumed interpreters finish planting one of many historic gardens or simply explore the various plants and flowers across Conner Prairie’s 200 acres. Special events will occur throughout May, including special presentations by the Herb Society of Central Indiana on May 5 and 6, a drop-in knitting class on May 12 and 13 ($25 fee, limited availability) and wildflower and plant walks across the prairie on May 26 and 27.

The Conner Prairie store will offer 20% off all jewelry from May 11-13 in honor of Mother’s Day. The store carries a selection of jewelry made right here in Indiana. Find other unique Indiana and U.S. made gift ideas during your visit as well. The Conner Prairie store is open Tuesdays through Sundays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in May.

The Mother’s Day Plant Sale will be held May 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until plants are sold out. No admission is required to shop the plant sale.

Conner Prairie is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in May. Admission is $14/adults, $13/seniors 65+, $9/youth (ages 2-12) and free for members and youth under 2. For more information, visit connerprairie.org, follow us on Twitter @ConnerPrairie or like us on Facebook.

Media Contact: Lynelle Mellady, Office: (317) 214-4732, Cell: (765) 977-3019, mellady@connerprairie.org
 

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Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate and a nonprofit organization that relies on sponsorships, grants and philanthropic gifts for sustainability and future growth. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibits, 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana and 1859 Balloon Voyage that takes guests 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Visit connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 for admission dates, hours, ticket prices and opportunities to donate. Connect with Conner Prairie on Facebook at facebook.com/connerprairie, Flickr at flickr.com/people/connerprairie, YouTube at youtube.com/user/ConnerPrairie and Twitter at twitter.com/connerprairie.