PlantFest! 2018 | LSU Hilltop Arboretum

PlantFest! 2023

Celebrating Our 40th Annual Public Sale

Saturday, October 28th, 9am – 4pm
Sunday, October 29th, 12noon – 4pm

Please review the Shopping Guidelines and Parking Map prior to sale.

The Friends of Hilltop Arboretum will hold its 40th annual PlantFest! on Saturday, October 28th from 9am - 4pm and Sunday, October 29th from 12pm - 4pm. The sale is open to the general public. You are responsible for managing your purchases and getting them to your car, and we recommend you bring your own wagon and helper.

The 40th anniversary of our fall plant sale celebrates decades of masterfully collecting people and plants and bringing them together in the unique natural space that is the LSU Hilltop Arboretum.  This year’s botanical offerings will feature a feast of native and traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns (best selection in BR!), gingers, camellias, edibles, ornamental grasses and more. More than 3,000 plants representing over 300 species will be available that have been sourced from reputable and trusted nurseries in Texas and Louisiana. A plant availability list will be published on our website the prior to the sale. 

New to this year’s sale will be Swamp Fly, a women-owned environmental landscape firm, who will provide consultation and design services as well as installation and maintenance tips for your plants, natives in particular. Swamp Fly inspires ecological wonder and brings sensorial beauty to the landscape through their work with both residential and commercial clients in Baton Rouge and beyond. As in the past, a small number of “Hilltop plant people” will also be available to assist with your plant selection and help you find the right plants for your space. Whether you are looking to compose a colorful plant vignette, attract butterflies, or go native, we are here to help! 

In addition to the plant sale, PlantFest! will provide additional opportunities to engage visitors. We are excited to host a Children’s Activity Tent this year where volunteers will lead children through a nature-inspired activity and shower them with fall-inspired take home treats. We invite you to visit the adjacent Vendor’s Village, Hilltop Gift Shop, and “Yarden” (aka. garage) Sale while you’re here, as there’s sure to be something for everyone! Please refer to the Shopping Guidelines and Map for locations. All Hilltop plants, gift shop and Yarden items are tax-free during PlantFest! 

Current members of the Friends of Hilltop will receive an invitation to the members-only plant sale where shoppers will have first pick of plants available at PlantFest! The sale will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 9am – 6pm. Members will be sent a plant availability list via email one week prior to the sale.

Not a member? Become a member of the Friends of Hilltop by Thursday, October 12, 2023 to take advantage of several membership benefits as part of the event and beyond. Members at the $35 Violet level and above will receive a 10% discount on plants and an invitation to the members-only plant sale. Members at the $50 Azalea level, or above will receive the additional benefit of free admission to the PlantFest! Teaser on Sunday, October 15. This year’s PlantFest! Teaser program will feature Tammany Baumgarten, licensed Landscape Horticulturalist and owner of BaumGardens, who will introduce us to her “Top 25 Native Plants that Promote a Healthy Ecosystem in the Backyard and Beyond.” 

The LSU Hilltop Arboretum is grateful for your support. Your membership directly impacts the sustainability of our operations and allow us to keep our mission alive.  Thank you!          

PlantFest! Basics

2023 Plant Availability List

Participating Vendors

Shopping Guidelines

Parking Map

ADA Accommodations
Please contact Hilltop if you need the shopping or parking documents in a different format.