South Texas Botanical Gardens cancels Big Bloom Plant Sale due to water restrictions
Due to the ongoing drought in Corpus Christi, the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center's annual Big Bloom Plant Sale is canceled for 2025.
The event is typically held the first Saturday in April and draws in thousands of plant lovers.
'We can't in good conscience ask people to purchase plants at a fundraiser, when the entire community is in water-saving mode,' Marketing Director MaryJane Crull said in a news release.
Crull said Wednesday that the event will remain canceled despite the City Council's adoption Tuesday of an updated drought contingency plan that loosened some water use restrictions. Under the new plan, which went into effect Wednesday, watering potted plants, trees, vegetable beds and shrubs with a handheld hose is allowed on any day during Stage 3 drought.
Crull said ignoring Corpus Christi's "critical water situation" is not the image the nonprofit wants to project.
Executive Director Michael Womack said the Botanical Gardens aims to be an example of good environmental stewardship, especially with low water supply. He said he doesn't want residents to feel they need to buy plants to support the nonprofit.
While Big Bloom has been shelved for the year, the Birdiest Festival in America $2 Community Day is still on the Botanical Gardens' schedule for Saturday, April 26.
The events will include a raptor project, vendors, artisan booths, food trucks, animal ambassadors, and butterfly and ladybug releases.
The Birdiest Festival in America will be held from April 23 through April 27, including two pre-trips and one post-trip. For more information, visit birdiestfestival.org.
More: Looking for fun things to do in the Corpus Christi area in March 2025? Check out our list.
More: Community theater: 'Fiddler on the Roof' takes the stage at Harbor Playhouse
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Bluesky @johnpoliva.bsky.social.
Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Big Bloom Plant Sale canceled due to drought in Corpus Christi
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