Order your spring plant from CFC now
Online ordering for Citizens for Conservation's 25th annual Native Plant, Shrub and Tree Sale will be available through April 18 on CFC's website, www.citizensforconservation.org.
Order pickup will be May 6-8 in the barn area of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Hwy. 22, in Lake Barrington. Pickup appointments will be scheduled in advance and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place.
Orders are filled on a first-come, first-filled basis, and CFC members receive a 10% discount. At this time, CFC cannot commit to an in-person sale, so online orders are encouraged.
The sale is one of the largest in the region and features more than 225 native species. This year's sale will also feature special-value gardens designed for the home garden:
• 50th Anniversary Gardens for Sun or Shade: In honor of CFC's 50th anniversary, two small native plant gardens will be available for $50 each. These sun or shade gardens have been designed by Christa Orum-Keller, landscape designer and owner of Midwest Groundcovers. The plants included are from their Natural Garden Natives, and have been chosen for their versatility, beauty and pollinator attraction. Each garden has 20 plants for an area about 25 square feet, and comes with a design layout for planting.
• Secret Garden Special for Part Shade: This garden is designed in partnership with Barrington Junior Women's Club Secret Garden-themed fundraiser. Start a secret garden with native plants that have been selected to thrive in light shade and regular garden soil. Plants range in height from 6 inches to 5 feet and include a variety of species that bloom in spring, summer and fall.
As part of CFC's Milkweed for Monarchs campaign to encourage monarch populations, several species of native milkweed will be available at discounted prices. But other native plants are essential as well; monarch and other pollinators need flowering native plants as food all season long. All plants sold are free of neonicotinoid pesticides.
CFC's online catalog includes details to help choose plants, such as sun requirements, water requirements, color and more. Also, native plant experts from CFC's Habitat Corridors program are available for a brief online or phone consultation.
Email a request - with "Native Plant Sale" in the subject line - by April 1 to info@habitatcorridors.org that includes name and contact information, and a native plant expert will be in touch to set up an appointment.
For information, contact CFC at cfc@citizensforconservation.org.