Meerkerk’s Autumn Rhododendron Sale Oct. 2 and 3 has blossomed into its First Annual Fall Garden Festival.

This year it’s branching out by showcasing specialty plants from local nurseries and exhibiting garden art from artists throughout Meerkerk Gardens’ outdoor gallery. Profits from the sale of plants and artwork will go toward maintenance of the 53-acres of inspirational woodland gardens and forest preserve.

Garden tours will be available. Children’s activities include the Botany Adventure Tour, a guided science program conducted in Meerkerk’s “outdoor classroom.” The “Beer(kerk)” Garden will feature bratwursts and other fall themed fare.

Garden art will include wood, stone and metal sculpture, glass, twig furniture and arbors, birdbaths and deer cages. For a complete list of participants please go to www.meerkerkgardens.org.

Species and hybrid rhododendrons propagated from the Meerkerk Heritage Collection and new hybrids from Jim Barlup and Frank Fujioka will be for sale, as well as others.

Meerkerk is a non-profit educational display garden and forest preserve located two miles south of Greenbank off Highway 525 and Resort Road at 3531 Meerkerk Lane. Meerkerk is wheelchair accessible.