Forest district offers native plants for sale
Gardeners can go native as they plan their gardens this spring by placing online orders for Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's annual native-plant sale at dupageforest.org/nativeplantsale.
The sale offers more than 70 species of flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees suitable for sun and shade. An online catalog with photos, descriptions and prices is posted on the website. Proceeds support educational programming at the forest district.
Gardeners must pick up their orders between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 E. 31st St., Oak Brook. Payment is due at pickup with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Customers can also shop for additional plants and interact with gardening experts.
Gardeners who do not place advance orders still can shop and get advice during the sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9.
"Native plants need only a fraction of the care required by turf or traditional gardens," said Jeffrey Redick, District 2 commissioner. "Many support pollinators such as butterflies and bees, provide seed for birds, or feature bright colors and unusual textures."
To learn how to successfully add native plants to any yard, gardeners are invited to attend "Landscaping with Native Plants" from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at Mayslake Peabody Estate. The workshop is $10 per person. Register by calling (630) 206-9566.