The many April showers are supposed to bring May flowers. Where can you find the flowers that will bloom in May? At the Master Gardeners’ annual FloraFest, May 4, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at the Charlotte County Extension Office in Charlotte Court House. Perennials, annuals, shrubs and vegetables propagated by our local Master Gardeners will have a great chance of success in area gardens. A free lecture, displays for the garden, herbal products and a raffle will complete an exciting morning for the gardener. Proceeds from FloraFest support scholarships and grants to local students and groups.

This year’s list of available perennials for sunny locations includes rudbeckia, sedum, lamb’s ear, aster, tall phlox, monarda, day lilies, Siberian iris, Dutch iris, flag iris and many more. Hostas, Solomon’s seal and helleborus are ideal for the shade. And do not forget the glorious sweet-smelling peonies. Among the shrubs you will find snow ball, mock orange, Guelder rose viburnum, beauty berry (both purple and white), winter jasmine, forsythia, Virginia sweetspire and nandina. There will be ground covers such as steppables and vinca. Marglobe tomatoes will be offered. A few houseplants and annuals, e.g., portulaca, coleus and begonias, will be among the treasures at FloraFest. Master Gardeners will offer suggestions on planting and caring for your precious finds.

Good gardening advice will be offered at the lecture at 10 a.m. Betsy Burch of Rosefield Farm and Flowers will discuss “Cool Flowers.” She will emphasize how fall planting will allow plants to get a deeper root system for the following spring flowers.

In addition to the Master Gardeners’ plants, including a few herbs, Long Ears Herbs will provide many herbs, herbal soaps, teas and spices for purchase. Soil and Water Conservation will display rain barrels and hand-painted habitat houses for birds, butterflies and bats. Raffle tickets will be available. Prizes include a hand-crafted wooden gathering tray and several pieces of pottery. Breakfast-type food, homemade baked goods and drinks will be available, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Plan now to come out to the Extension Office to fulfill many of your gardening needs. Look at your yard and garden and consider what you would like to add or what you may need to replace after the fall and winter rains. Remember that Mother’s Day, May 12, is only one week after FloraFest. You may fall in love with a beautiful hypertufa planted with sedum or one of the small handmade pottery hanging pots filled with sedum. The plant sale will begin promptly at 8:30, rain or shine. Mark your calendar and be certain not to miss.