If you're still debating what that "Perfect Mother's Day Gift" should be, look no further! The Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District is now taking orders for spring delivery of bareroot trees and shrubs during their annual Tree and Shrub Sale. Place your order today, and pick up your selection during Mother's Day weekend on Saturday, May 10 at Spear Dairy Farm in Nobleboro.

All revenue generated from this fund-raising activity goes into continuing the operations of the local conservation district and benefit soil and water educational conservation programs in Knox and Lincoln counties. By purchasing trees and other planting materials, you support conservation twice; first by planting trees to improve our environment and second by supporting your conservation district.

Not only do these trees and shrubs beautify your home's natural landscape, they can also provide blossoms and seeds that will attract birds, bees and butterflies to your yard.

Stock for the sale is selected for their proven hardiness in Maine's MidCoast climate. New items featured this year include Red Maple, Weeping Willow and White Flowering Dogwood. Our knowledgeable staff is available to assist you in making your plant selections and literature is available to provide additional information on planting and landscaping topics. Create a garden of lasting beauty through a wide selection of fruit trees, shrubs, perennials and much, much more.

Apple trees, strawberry plants and high bush blueberries are hot choices that will sell out fast. The District offers two different varieties of high bush blueberries: Blueray and Patriot. Choosing a variety is best for proper cross-pollination. The District also sells Pine, Spruce, Cedar, Balsam Fir, American Arborvitae and Hemlock.

Additional tree planting items such as Plantskydd Spray deer repellent, Penobscot Blend Compost, Conservation Grass Seed, fertilizer tablets and fruit tree guards are also available.

Your selections will help create a source of endless inspiration and entertainment in your own backyard. The Annual Tree and Shrub Sale is the conservation district's primary fundraising activity.

Perennials grown at the Maine State Prison Horticulture Program will be sold in four-inch pots. Choices include Astilbe, Blue Flax, Bachelor's Button, Bee Balm, Columbine, Daylily (Mix), Daylily (Stella de Oro), Delphinium, Dragon's Head, Gold Dust Alyssum, Helenium, Lavendar, Purple Coneflower, Rudbeckia-Goldstrum, Shasta Daisy and Siberian Iris.

This is a very popular sale, so order early for best selection. You can download the order form and description sheet directly from our Web site at www.knoxlincoln.org or contact the office at 273-2005 ext 101.