Kickstart your garden with offerings from local plant sales
As we head into spring, plant sales are popping up all over the suburbs, offering perennials, vegetables, native and organic plants and garden decor. These sales are more than just a way to get a jump-start on your garden — in many cases, they are fundraisers for worthy causes. Check out our list, and get your growing season off to a good start.
April 26-28
Morton Arboretum Arbor Day Plant Sale: Arbor Day weekend, Friday, April 26, to Sunday, April 28, parking lot 33 on west side, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Open only to Arboretum members with pre-purchased timed tickets from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Open to both members and visitors with paid admission from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. One of the largest seasonal plant sales in the Chicago region, it offers thousands of plants, including hundreds of species and varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, ferns, vegetables, and herbs. Admission to the Arboretum for nonmembers is $15 for adults ages 18—64, $13 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $10 for youths ages 2—17. www.mortonarb.org.
April 27
Native Illinois Plant Sale: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Wheaton Public Works Building, 821 W. Liberty Drive. The city of Wheaton, Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission, and the Wheaton Park District encourage residents to plant native plants in future landscape projects. Native plants are adapted to the local soils and climate. Native plants provide a habitat for a wide variety of native wildlife species, provide an attractive, low-maintenance landscape and are beneficial because they do not require irrigation or fertilizer, are resistant to drought and insects, and will not harm or degrade native ecosystems. Payment must be made by cash or check (no credit cards). For a list of native plants, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com.
Through May 1
Fancy Plants & Not So Plain Janes Plant Sale: Order through May 1. The Geneva Garden Club's annual sale featuring over 60 different perennials and annuals. Orders will be taken through May 1. Plants must be picked up May 17-18. To order, visit www.genevagardenclub.com/fancy-plants/
May 3
Bloomingdale Garden Club 2019 plant sale: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at Bloomingdale Park District Maintenance Building, 259 Springfield Drive. Features professionally grown annuals in flats, premium hanging baskets, specialty annuals, tropical, grasses, vegetables and herbs, as well as perennials from members' gardens, Master Gardener Help Desk and raffles. Visit www.bloomingdalegardenclub.org or contact bloomingdalegardenclub@gmail.com for more information.
May 4
Wild Ones of Northern Kane County Native Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Choose from a selection of 128 different species of native forbs, sedges and grasses, in pints and plugs, as well as a selection of 14 native shrubs and trees in 3- and 5-gallon pots. Wild Ones is a not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization that promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Free admission. Plant list and information at www.northernkanecounty.wildones.org.
Lincolnshire Garden Club Annual Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, Lincolnshire Swim Club, 2 Yorkshire Drive, Lincolnshire. The Lincolnshire Garden Club will be hosting its annual plant sale which includes perennials, annuals, succulents and arrangements for purchase. Free admission. www.lincolnshiregardenclub.com/
Heritage Prairie Farm Organic Summer Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 and 11, at Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn. Heritage Prairie Farm offers all organic transplants for sale. Last year's event featured kale, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, and more. Dave's Slow Food Truck will be on site May 4. Visit www.heritageprairiefarm.com.
May 4-5
Citizens for Conservation's 23rd annual native plant, shrub and tree sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, in the Good Shepherd Hospital barn area, east of the hospital, at 450 W. Route 22 in Lake Barrington. Buyers can choose from a huge selection of native plants, including perennials, ferns, sedges, grasses, shrubs and trees. As part of CFC's Milkweed for Monarchs campaign to encourage monarch populations, numerous species of native milkweed will be available at discounted prices. All plants sold are free of neonicotinoid pesticides. Pickup date for preorders is Friday, May 3, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. CFC members will also be able to shop the sale on May 3, and members get a 10 percent discount all days. www.citizensforconservation.org.
Central States Dahlia Society annual plant and tuber sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission; pay for parking.
May 5
Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee Native Plant Sale: noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, in the McHenry County College cafeteria (indoors), 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. There will be more than 150 species available, with native plants for every environment: prairie, savanna, woodland and wetland. Quantities are limited. Most plants cost $3.50 to $7. There also will be organic heirloom garden vegetables and herbs from W & M Landcorp Organic Nursery. Come early for the best selection. Books and field guides are available for purchase. Check or cash only; no credit cards. ATM on site. For a plant list, contact theWPPC@hotmail.com or visit www.thewppc.org.
Through May 5
St. Charles Park District Native Plant Sale: Order by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 5. The park district has partnered with Natural Communities Native Plants. Ten percent of your purchase will help restore and maintain natural areas in St. Charles. Pickup will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1, at St. Charles Park District Sportsplex, 1400 Foundry St. For questions, contact Natives@NaturalCommunities.net. To order, visit www.stcnature.org/native-plant-sale/.
Through May 6
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County Spring Sustainability Sale: Order through May 6 at conservemc.org/store/tlc-native-plants/. All plants are provided by local partner Red Buffalo Nursery in Richmond, Illinois, and trees and shrubs are provided by Majestic Oaks Nursery in Spring Grove. Plants are split into three categories with individual species chosen by our experts to encourage bloom throughout the season, as well as maximized benefits for local pollinators. Plant order pickup will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10, and 9 to 11 a.m. May 11 at the TLC Office in the Hennen Conservation Area, 4622 Dean St. in Woodstock. Prices are based on a minimum order of three plugs per species. Sign up for a Conservation@Home visit and they can help pick plants for your specific needs. Call Sarah Michehl at (815) 337-9502 or email smichehl@conservemc.org. Visit conservemc.org or www.facebook.com/ConserveMC/.
May 9-10
College of Lake County Horticulture 2019 Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, May 9-10, College of Lake County, H Building Greenhouse, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Shop from a variety of annual and perennial flowers, native grasses, forbs, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs. Proceeds from the sale support the CLC horticulture program including student scholarships and internships. www.clcillinois.edu/programs/hrt, for a list of available plants, visit tinyurl.com/yy7kp3m3.
Naperville Garden Club Spring Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 9-10, at 9S031 Chandelle Drive, Naperville. There will be a wide assortment of annuals, hanging baskets, ferns, and a limited supply of Illinois native plants. Cash and checks will be accepted for payment. All proceeds benefit the Naperville Garden Club and help support its programs. Come early for the biggest selection. Held rain or shine. Visit www.napervillegardenclub.org.
May 9-11
Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale: May 9-11, Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard. 450 shrubs and 10 trees will be offered. Check www.lombardgardenclub.org for pictures. Hours are 3-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 11; and 8 a.m. until sold out on Saturday, May 11. Last year, the sale was sold out by midday Friday.
May 10-11
DuPage Forest Preserve District Native Plant Sale: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 10, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Shop for flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs and get expert advice on creating inviting habitats in your own backyard. Our selection of native plants will support pollinators, birds and other wildlife year-round at home. Preorders began March 11 for the first 350 customers. There is a five-plant minimum order. Purchases can be paid for with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. All proceeds from the sale will support educational programming at the Forest Preserve District. Visit www.dupageforest.org/native-plant-sale
May 11
Naperville Community Gardeners plant and bake sale: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 11, Naperville Garden Plots Parking Lot, 811 S. West St. Native plants, vegetables, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and homemade sweet treats.
Algonquin Garden Club Spring Plant Sale: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, at Fountain Square, 1060 E. Algonquin Road, Algonquin. It will feature hundreds of plants, including perennials dug from members' yards, hanging baskets, geraniums, and tomatoes. The proceeds of this sale are used for local student scholarships and for the beautification and maintenance of gardens in Algonquin. Visit algonquingardenclub.org or follow the club's Facebook page.
Gardeners of Central Lake County spring plant sale: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Crawford Warming House, 817 W. Lake St., Libertyville. Healthy local plants for sun or shade, including native plants, mature perennials, herbs, vegetables, ground covers and more dug from members' local gardens. Cash or check. Rain or shine. Visit www.gardenersofcentrallakecounty.org.
Growin' Green Garden Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 799 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn. Hosted by SCARCE, an environmental nonprofit. Compost, organic veggie and herb seedlings, native Illinois plants and trees, and rain barrels will be sold. Local sustainable vendors, farmers, and other nonprofit groups in attendance. Workshops will include beekeeping, composting at home, backyard chickens and permaculture practices. Kids area includes a craft and petting animals such as chickens and baby goats. www.scarce.org/growin-green.
Mount Prospect Park District Spring Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Features annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herbs, veggies, succulents. Master Gardeners on site. Great gift ideas. (847) 298-3500; www.mppd.org.
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners plant sale: 9 a.m. to noon at Bethany Lutheran Church gym, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. Features native plants, perennials, ephemerals, ferns, small bushes and trees, bulbs, and often veggies raised by members and other fun things for the garden. Visit bpdgclub.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/BataviaPlainDirtGardeners/.
Tri-Village Garden Club plant sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 11, at a new location, Bartlett log cabin, 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett. Features a large assortment of hanging baskets, perennials and annuals that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
Plant & Craft Sale of the Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Williams D. Ahrens Building, 3200 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Hanging baskets, variety of annuals and perennials for sun and shade and plants for a pollinator-friendly garden. Milkweed to attract monarchs will be available, too as well as grasses and native plants. Vendors will offer garden accessories, crafts and gifts. Kid's Corner for aspiring gardeners. Call (847) 397-0286 or visit www.rollingmeadowsgardenclub.org.
Organic Plant Sale and Farm Open House: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, Prairie Crossing Farm, 32400 Harris Road, Grayslake. Get ready for gardening with over 40 varieties of organic vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seedlings. Shop seasonal produce and products from local artisans, take a hayride tour of the farm and meet the farmers. Visit libertyprairie.org.
Plants, Pies and More Sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church, 36W957 Highland Ave, Elgin. Select from a variety of plants for both flower and vegetable gardens and shop the bakery tables for homemade treats at reasonable prices. Browse craft tables filled with springtime displays of clever items for use in your home, along with colorful women's and children's accessories. All proceeds support St. Hugh's outreach ministries. Visit www.sthugh.net.
May 11-12
Lake County Forest Preserve District Native Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12, Independence Grove, North Bay Pavilion, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Purchase native flowers and woody plants, a rain barrel, or a compost bin (Saturday only for barrels and bins). Learn about eco-friendly practices to benefit your home, pocketbook, and community. Educators will be available on-site. Sale proceeds benefit environmental education programs. www.lcfpd.org/plant-sale.
May 17-18
Get Growing Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 17, for members only, and Saturday, May 18, for the public, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. On May 17, the sale is open to President's Circle members from 10-11 a.m.; Director's Circle from 11 a.m. to noon; and all members from noon to 4 p.m. The sale is open to the public May 18. The Woman's Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society presents a plant sale consisting of hundreds of specialty plants cultivated from nurseries and botanical institutions from across the country. The sale will offer many one-of-a-kind plants and specialty containers designed by garden staff. Stop by Burnstein Hall and the Runnells Courtyard for practical selection tips and planting demonstrations by garden horticulturists and staff. Regular parking fees apply. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org.
Plantemonium Native and Perennial Plants Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, at Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 37w570 Bolcum Road, St. Charles. Also for sale are artisan garden gifts created by Fine Line artists and gently used garden items in the Second Hand Market. Sale proceeds will benefit the FL Capital Campaign for the Glass and Metals Studio expansion at Fine Line. Call (630) 584-9443 visit www.fineline.org.
May 18
Backyard Garden Club: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, Grafelman Park, Route 72, two blocks east of Route 31, West Dundee. The Backyard Garden Club's annual sale features perennials, grasses, herbs, vegetables and more from members' own gardens. Proceeds benefit Garden Club scholarship program. Free admission; no early birds, please. Call Jennifer Schaffer at (847) 287-7185.
Des Plaines Garden Club annual plant and bake sale: 8:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 18 at Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Hwy., Des Plaines. Annuals, perennials, vegetables and hanging plants, plus homemade baked goods. Cash only. www.desplainesgardenclub.com.
Fox Valley Garden Club's Gardeners Sale: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the parking lot behind West Aurora Learning Center, 1870 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Featuring plants from members' gardens, as well as annuals and perennials from a nursery available for sale at reasonable prices. Vendors offer annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, garden and yard art, garden-related crafts, bird houses and feeders, and more. Proceeds from the sale fund the club's community projects. Rain or shine. Food is available. Bring cash or checks and a wagon or cart. Visit foxvalleygardenclub.com.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich Spring Plant Sale: 7:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 18, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk St., Lake Zurich. Plants and vegetables — many grown by club members — will be sold. www.gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Grayslake Greenery Garden Club annual plant sale: 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 18, next to village hall in Grayslake, at Center Street and Seymour Avenue. Homegrown perennials, annuals, vegetables, including heirloom and house plants. Call Craig Leland at (847) 337-4110 or Gail Kirkham at (847) 356-0645 or visit www.grayslakegreenerygardenclub.org.
Plant Sale at The Grove: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview. Dress up your home and yard for spring and summer with beautiful perennials, flowering pots and baskets, native plants and more. The event is co-sponsored by the Grove Heritage Association and the Glenview Park District. Proceeds benefit The Grove. Pre-order your plants by Friday, May 3, for pickup at the sale. For information, call (847) 299-6096 or visit www.glenviewparks.org/event/plant-sale-grove.
Prospect Heights Garden Club Perennial Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18, at the Prospect Commons Shopping Center, 201 W. Rand Road, Prospect Heights. All plants grown by garden club members.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich Spring Plant Sale: 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18, Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk St., Lake Zurich. Annual spring Plant Sale sponsored by the Garden Club of Lake Zurich. Plants and vegetable starters plus other garden-related items. Visit www.gardencluboflakezurich.org.
West Chicago Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in downtown West Chicago. Stock up on natives, annuals, perennials, and vegetable seedlings at the club's plant sale during Blooming Fest. Visit www.westchicagogardenclub.org.
May 18-19
Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club plant sale: May 18-19, at Reed-Turner Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, and 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Perennials grown in members' garden, such as grasses, flowers and vegetables, including heirloom tomato and milkweed plants. Reed-Turner Botanic Artists will be selling botanical artwork, including originals, prints and cards. For more information, email Kathy at kathymichas33@gmail.com.
May 19
University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners plant sale: 10 a.m. until sold out, Sunday, May 19, McHenry County University of Illinois Extension building, 1102 McConnell Road, Woodstock. Perennials, bulbs, herbs, vegetable starts and annuals. Call (815) 338-3737 or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/lm.
Schaumburg Community Garden Club Native Plant Sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. View photos of native wildflowers, grasses, perennials, trees and shrubs and pre-order online at www.schaumburggardenclub.org Pre-order deadline is Friday, May 3. Preorders can be picked up from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.
June 1
Arlington Heights Garden Club Plant Sale: 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Includes perennials, annuals, grasses, ground covers, herbs and native plants, all from members' gardens for sun and shade. Master Gardeners available for questions. Plants range in price from $2 to $7. For information, www.ahgardenclub.com or call Jim at (847) 322-8207.