Making garden plans? Native plant sale offers wide selection

More than 70 varieties of sun-loving, shade-loving and savanna plants will be available for purchase at the Lake County Forest Preserve District’s 16th annual native plant sale on May 11 and 12.

The forest preserve district has teamed with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission again this year to sell rain barrels and compost bins at the plant sale.

The event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve, Route 137 east of Route 21 in Libertyville. Native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, vines and trees that thrive in local gardens will be offered.

Rain barrels and composts bins will be available Saturday only as supplies last.

Held annually on Mother’s Day weekend, the native plant sale is a fundraiser benefiting the forest district’s environmental education programs and events. This year’s native plant list includes a full variety of unique flowers, ferns and grasses.

View the complete list of native plants and sale details at http://www.lcfpd.org/.

Native plants naturally thrive in Lake County soil and weather, requiring less time, effort and expense to maintain. They provide valuable food and shelter to native birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Because of the variety, ease of growing, and environmental benefits, native plants have become increasingly popular among professional landscapers and gardeners in recent years.

On Saturday, May 11, compost bins and rain barrels will also be available in the North Bay Pavilion parking lot (Lot K) at Independence Grove. This is a joint effort coordinated by SWALCO and Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.

Using rain barrels, practicing backyard composting and planting native species are all sustainable and environmentally sound practices that will not only be good for your pocketbook, but for your home, community and beyond. Bin and barrel quantities are limited, first-come, first-served.

Patrons of the native plant sale are reminded that while service animals are welcome at Independence Grove, dogs, horses and other pets are not allowed.