Plan your garden at Arbor Day plant sale in Lisle

The annual Arbor Day Plant Sale returns April 24-26 to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, with a selection of more than 300 types of plants and trees.

The event draws hundreds looking for plants chosen by experts from the arboretum for their garden.

Shoppers can browse a large array of trees, shrubs, vegetables, perennials for sun and shade, ferns, ground covers and native plants.

The plant sale will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in the arboretum's Visitor Center parking lot, 4100 Route 53. Lisle.

A variety of options available at this year's sale include popular varieties of sturdy trees, fragrant shrubs and colorful perennials, all well-suited for the climate of northern Illinois.

Those who need help determining what will work best in their garden can seek the help of Plant Geniuses, a team of arboretum employees, volunteers and master gardeners. Those coming to the sale are encouraged to bring in plans or ideas of what trees, shrubs, vegetables and flowers they would like to see in the yard or garden, and/or sun and shade locations, so the arboretum's Plant Geniuses can better assist.

The sale is part of a weeklong celebration to honor Arbor Day, which is recognized on the last Friday in April. Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by Julius Sterling Morton, the father of Arboretum founder Joy Morton, to encourage the planting and protection of trees.

The plant sale opens to arboretum members the day before, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the best selection. The sale is included with the price of arboretum admission.

For more information, contact (630) 719-2468 or mortonarb.org/plantsale.

If you go

What: Arbor Day Plant Sale

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26

Where: Visitor Center parking lot at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

Cost: Free with arboretum admission

Info: (630) 719-2468 or mortonarb.org/plantsale