Rose Square to bloom with plant market: 20 years since Liepāja residents learned to grow something that survives local winds

Celebration at Rose Square! On May 4th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the year's greatest challenge to Liepāja's wind will take place — the plant market "Spring in Bloom." For 20 years now, Liepāja residents have been trying to prove that in our climate, we can grow something more beautiful than hemp and thistles.

This year, 55 plant growers from all over Latvia have gathered, including some from Lithuania. That takes special courage — bringing plants to a city where Liepāja's wind is a legendary, uninvited guest in any season. "We specifically select only those plants that can withstand storm-force gusts," says local gardener Jānis. "If a rose survives a week in Liepāja, it'll survive anywhere."

Among the participants will be both Farm "Bērziņi," "Daila's Roses," and "Natālija's Roses" — apparently, roses are our main hope against the forces of nature. Hardy perennials, climbing plants, and evergreen shrub seedlings will be offered, which sounds like a military operation against local weather conditions.

While Riga gardeners can afford to grow exotic plants in greenhouses, ours have become true survival experts. "We don't need expensive greenhouses," says a representative from the association "ETNO Liepāja." "We have natural selection — whatever survives was strong."

So on May 4th, head to Rose Square not just for plants, but for the experience. After all, where else can you buy peonies with a guarantee that they'll hold up in the wind like flags?