PLANT SALE
The Native Plant Center’s annual Native Plant Sale is a fundraiser in two parts: It begins with an online pre-sale in February and is followed by an in-person event on the last Saturday in April. The sale draws hundreds of passionate gardeners who purchase a combined 13,000 native plants that, when planted in gardens and landscapes, create habitat throughout the region.
Shopping Tips and Insider’s Guide
Online and In Person: Online ordering is available in February for 50 species of plants; during this time, Members receive a 5 percent discount. Order pickup is in late April. Dozens more species are added to the offerings at the In-Person sale on the last Saturday in April.
Arrive early: The In-Person sale opens to the public at 10 a.m., but Native Plant Center members can enter at 9 a.m. We encourage you to bring your own shopping wagon, as we have a limited number.
Know the layout: The 100+ plant species are organized alphabetically within categories: perennials, grasses/ferns, vines/shrubs/trees. Perennials ring the inside of the fence beginning to the right of the entrance and are followed by grasses and ferns. Woody plants are grouped in a floating “L” just beyond the entrance. Special plants—those few in quantity or of a delicate nature—are located at a circle of tables within the center of the sale area. New plants are moved to this table throughout the day as species are bought up and numbers dwindle, so check regularly.
Find help: Descriptions and photos of the plants are posted on signs in front of each species. You can also get personalized information from the knowledgeable “Ask Me” staff and volunteers. If your shopping cart overflows, place your plants in the Holding Area so that you can continue making choices unencumbered.
Follow the checkout process: When you have finished shopping, find a “Salesperson” (volunteers wearing white aprons), who will count your plants and write up a sales slip with your name and information. Take two copies of the sales slip to the tent, where your order will be tallied. Then proceed to the cashiers for payment or do it yourself by using the posted QR code. You may be encouraged to round up your order by a dollar or two (as a donation). We appreciate your generosity, and every dollar raised supports The Native Plant Center.
After payment: If your order is in the holding area, first move your car from the parking lot to the curb outside the tent. Volunteers will help retrieve your plants and load your car. Please be patient as volunteers at the exits remove the colored price markers from your plants (which we reuse the following year).
Consider volunteering: Volunteers make the plant sale a success. For details, click on the Volunteer tab below.