Since 1990, the Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale in early May has provided local gardeners with a reliable source for native plants and expert guidance. The sale offers more than 200 species of native plants suitable for a variety of soil and light conditions. FOA also holds an advance order sale offering trees, shrubs, garden mixes, and half and full flats of select species.

All species offered at the sale are native to Wisconsin and, once established, require minimal care. No plants are dug from the wild. All are grown in commercial nurseries that follow best practices for preventing spread of disease and pests such as the jumping worm. The plant sale is open to all. Proceeds from the Native Plant Sale and advance order sale help FOA support the Arboretum’s work and mission. Friends of the Arboretum receive a discount on all plant purchases.

Jumping worm precautions: The Arboretum has followed best management practices for the jumping worm (Amynthas spp.) invasive species since it was discovered here in the fall of 2013. In coordination with Arboretum staff, the Native Plant Sale organizers have also taken preventive measures against spreading the invasive worms.

Native Plant Sale

Due to ongoing uncertainty about the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re not yet able to announce plans for the next Native Plant Sale. You may need to place your order well ahead of time to shop at our 2021 sale, so please watch for announcements. Here are the best ways to be notified:

Subscribe to arbNews to receive the Arboretum’s email newsletter (once or twice a month)

Be a Friend of the Arboretum to receive the Friends’ quarterly print newsletter NewsLeaf, which includes advance order information and preliminary plant lists

Join the FOA Native Plant Sale Facebook group for news about the sale and to share information about gardening with native plants

To get an idea of Native Plant Sale offerings, download the 2019 plant list. In addition, plant information sheets provide more information about particular plants.

Advance Order Sale

Advance orders are placed by mail in winter for pickup in the spring. This sale offers a selection of trees, shrubs, garden mixes, and half and full flats of select species and is open to anyone. Due to ongoing uncertainty about the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re not yet able to announce plans for the next advance order sale.

Benefits for Friends of the Arboretum

Friends of the Arboretum receive information about the Native Plant Sale, including preliminary plant lists, in the quarterly NewsLeaf newsletter. Learn more about how to be a Friend and contribute online.

Sponsors

Friends of the Arboretum gratefully acknowledges in-kind contributions from the following businesses in support of the 2019 Native Plant Sale: