Here’s a sure sign spring is on the way: It’s open house time at Tony Avent’s Plants Delights Nursery.

The international mail order nursery and adjacent Juniper Level Botanic Gardens are open to visitors only four times a year. The next visiting dates are Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3, and open house will take place rain, snow or shine. For the first time, Avent has added Sunday visits. You’ll be able to tour the six-acre garden and get questions answered by staff horticulturists.

More than 1,500 types of plants will be available for purchase or later shipment. Winter is peak season for many plants such as helleborus, arum, hardy cyclamen, edgeworthia and ranunculus.

Visit between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 22, 23 and March 1 and 2, or 1-5 p.m. Feb. 24 and March 3.

The nursery is at 9241 Sauls Road in Raleigh.

Info: 919-772-4794 or plantdelights.com