Spring Affair 2025
April 24-26
Sandhills Global Event Center
4100 N. 84th St., Lincoln
The sale will be held in Currency Pavilion.
Spring Affair is a busy three days! To get the first pick of plants and enjoy a fun evening with fellow plant people, consider registering for the Preview Party and Preview Sale. Spring Affair is the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's biggest fundraiser of the year; all ticket sales support our tree planting, garden making and environmental education work -- so thank you!
Preview Party -- SOLD OUT! [Preview Sale Tickets still available; see below]
Thursday, April 24
5-9 p.m.
Enjoy cocktails (cash bar) at 5 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., then plant shopping at the Preview Sale from 6:30-9 p.m. New this year: Preview Party ticket holders start plant shopping at 6:30 p.m.; Preview Sale shoppers admitted at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 for NSA members (which includes one complimentary drink ticket) and $55 for non-members. Kids age 2 and under free.
Preview Sale Only
Thursday, April 24
7-9 p.m.
Get the first pick of the best plants at the Preview Sale (doors open at 7 p.m.)
Tickets are $20 for NSA members and $25 for non-members. Enjoy a cocktail from the cash bar while you shop. Note: Advance ticket purchases prioritized; limited number of tickets will be sold at the door beginning at 7:30 p.m. Kids age 12 and under free. Anyone 13 or older needs a ticket to enter the Preview Sale.
General Admission to Spring Affair -- FREE
Friday, April 25
2-6 p.m.
Saturday, April 26
9 a.m. - 12 noon
Not an NSA member? Click here to become one today (and get a 10% discount off all your Spring Affair plant purchases!).
Spring Affair News
With more than 800 varieties of perennials, grasses, herbs, trees and shrubs for sale, you might want to plan your plant shopping in advance! Get a sneak peak at the 2025 Spring Affair plant list:
Don't Miss These FREE Spring Affair Plant Talks!
Take a break from plant shopping and enjoy one or more of these free demonstrations on Friday and Saturday:
Don't Pass by These Pollinator Plants
Friday, April 25 at 3 p.m.
Join Bob Henrickson, NSA Horticulture Program Coordinator, for a walk about the sale as he points out some of the lesser-known pollinator plants that will look beautiful and benefit your local ecosystem by attracting a diverse variety of pollinating insects to your yard and garden.
Celebrate Arbor Day with a Tree Walkabout
Friday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Take a guided tour with Justin Evertson, NSA Green Infrastructure Coordinator, through Spring Affair's tree and shrub collection and learn which species will work best in your landscape. Justin will explain the pros and cons of particular species and offer instructions on planting and tree care to help ensure that your tree will thrive in your landscape for generations.
Make a More Waterwise Landscape
Saturday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m.
A waterwise landscaping strategy in your own yard is one way you can make a difference in your local environment. If you're thinking about installing a rain garden or if you just simply want to conserve more water in your outdoor space, NSA Sustainable Landscape Specialist Sarah Buckley can offer some tips and point out the plants that will get your waterwise landscape off to a great start.
Tips for a Successful Spring Affair Shopping Experience
Bring a wagon or cart to make carrying your plants easier!
Spring Affair can be a bit of a whirlwind. Here are some tips and tricks to make your shopping easy-breezy!
- Plan ahead and make a list of the plants you might like to purchase. Have some substitutes in mind in case your first choices are sold out.
- If you plan to purchase more than one flat of plants, bring a wagon or cart to make carrying your plants easier. We will also have a very limited number of wagons available for rental.
- Plants are organized alphabetically by scientific (Latin) name, in the following sections: sun, shade, trees/shrubs, grasses, herbs and annuals.
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress for temperamental spring weather (it could be anywhere from 45 to 85 degrees).
- Keep an eye out for our volunteers wearing Spring Affair t-shirts. They can answer questions and help out (NSA staff wear turquoise shirts; you can ask us questions, too!).
- Be patient. The sale gets crowded, but there are plenty of plants for everyone! The check-out lines can be long, but they tend to move quickly.
- Stop at the plant sitter racks to leave your to-be-purchased plants while you shop for more.
- Stop at the plant sorting tables BEFORE getting in the check-out line to arrange your plants by pot size. This will make the check-out process easier and faster.
- Don't forget to visit the vendors selling unique gardening and garden-related items.
- Become a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, and you'll get a 10% discount on your Spring Affair plant purchases.
Thank You to Our 2025 Spring Affair Sponsor:
