Summerside's Holman Homestead hosts plant giveaway

Gardeners in Summerside, P.E.I., got the opportunity to pick up some free vintage plants today, as the new owners of the historic Holman Homestead property found themselves with an over-abundance of perennials.

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Rather than toss the plethora of plants, new owners Ken and Jenny Meister — who saved the old building from the wrecking ball this winter and are renovating it as an inn, — decided to hold a giveaway.  

We have a lot of heritage irises, a lot of poppies, thistles and lilies, a lot of really neat plants.— Ken Meister

"Some of these plants are original clippings and cuttings from the original gardens 150 years ago," said Ken Meister.

"We were working on the garden and we realized quickly that with the spacing that we wanted to do with the garden, there were tons and tons of leftover plants that we did not want to destroy and could have a useful home."

BYO shovel

The Meisters advertised the free plants on Kijiji — all neighbours needed to do was dig up what they wanted.   

"I think it's incredible to be getting a piece of Summerside history for my own yard," enthused Didi Kenny, who said she's always walked by the gardens and admired them. She took home lilies, thistles and irises.

The Meisters plan to give away about 80 per cent of the plants now in their beds. The gardens will be a prominent feature of the 1850s home, but needed to be thinned out. 

"We have a lot of heritage irises, a lot of poppies, thistles and lilies, a lot of really neat plants that are there," said Meister, adding "I can't imagine there will be enough people here to take it all!" 

The Holman's Ice Cream Parlour and Heritage Suites is expected to open to guests by mid June.