Friday, July 25, 2008

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) West Central Research and Extension Center (WCREC) at North Platte will host an Anniversary Celebration for the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) on Saturday, May 24, 2008, featuring a plant sale plus horticultural tours and talks.

The Saturday event will begin with the plant sale from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. CST at the WCREC greenhouse, followed at 11:00 a.m. by a tour and discussion of the WCREC horticulture research plots led by UNL plant breeder Dr. Dale Lindgren. At 1:30 p.m., participants can choose between a walking tour of the WCREC campus plantings led by Rachel Allison and Justin Evertson, or indoor presentations on plants for central Nebraska by Dale Lindgren and Bob Henrickson.

The sale will feature plants not commonly found in local nurseries. Over 40 varieties of perennial landscape plants will be provided by Bluebird Nurseries, Inc. of Clarkson, Nebraska, and the NSA GreatPlants® program.  Some of the featured species include Dianthus, Clematis, Echinacea and several grasses as well as a new UNL Penstemon release named 'Sweet Joanne.'  Profits from the sale will be used to support NSA activities across Nebraska.

The WCREC will also host a tree planting ceremony the evening before (Friday, May 23) to honor Keith Blackledge, retired editor of the North Platte Telegraph and longtime community leader.  The ceremony will begin at 5:00 PM.

The event celebrates the 30^th anniversary of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the 10^th anniversary of the NSA GreatPlants® program.  Glenn Viehmeyer, pioneering horticulturist stationed at WCREC was an early leader and founder of NSA.

The UNL WCREC at North Platte is located approximately 1.6 miles south of the Interstate 80/State Highway 83 interchange (Exit 177) on State Highway 83. Turn right (west) at the stop light at State Farm Road, then take the first left (south) into the Center.

For additional information, contact Dale Lindgren, UNL-WCREC, at 308/696-6706, or Jim Locklear at 402/472-6679.