Lake County Forest Preserves' Native Plant Sale moves online
The Lake County Forest Preserves is holding its popular Native Plant Sale online this season and encouraging homeowners to order plants from the convenience of home.
"In response to the coronavirus, we are holding the sale differently than we've done for the past 15 years. Social distancing guidelines make it difficult to ensure that visitors and staff stay safe with the usual closeness and good conversation this sale typically provides," Director of Education Nan Buckardt said.
"So, we're adapting. This year, you don't even have to 'leaf' home to purchase native plants."
The Lake County Forest Preserves is again partnering with Possibility Place Nursery to hold the sale, offering a variety of sun-loving, rain garden, and beneficial wildlife host plant species for purchase online.
"And the best part is, Possibility Place will ship the plants right to your doorstep," Buckardt said.
Native plants naturally thrive in Lake County's soil and weather, requiring less time, effort and expense to maintain. They also play a critical role in increasing biodiversity - the variety of species living in a particular habitat.
These indigenous plants help local diversity by providing food and homes to native birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Because of their variety, low maintenance and environmental benefits, native plants have become increasingly popular among professional landscapers and gardeners in recent years.
"As part of our 100-Year Vision and Strategic Plan, we want to engage local residents as conservation partners to enhance the landscape and blur our boundaries," Buckardt said.
"Gardens with native plants provide an important bridge between residential and nearby natural areas. What you do on your own property can make a big difference."
Some key details for easy online shopping:
• Sales are open until July 1.
• Species are available while supplies last.
• Minimum purchase of 18 plants required for efficient delivery.
• No minimum order required for trees and shrubs.
• 1-gallon and perennial (pint) plants available.
• Size lists are independent and may offer different species.
• The Lake County Forest Preserves will notify buyers when their order ships.
• Tree and shrub inventory will be low until late June as they grow to a size and quality suitable for shipping
"As in previous years, a portion of each sale supports our educational programming," Buckardt said.
If 18 plants are more than you need to accomplish your garden goals, Buckardt suggests asking a neighbor to split the box.
"We can't plant and chat together this year at the sale, but we can still spread the joy of nature," she said.
If customers are looking for a plant that is not on the list, other species may be available at the nursery for order by phone at (708) 534-3988 or through the contact form.
To place an order or learn more, visit LCFPD.org/PlantSale.