Native Plant Sales include low-growing plants like red flowering currant. Photo by Mike Pennington
The 2024 Native Plant Sales are in full swing. While the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District doesn’t host a native plant sale, many of our local districts do. And if you don’t get an opportunity to take advantage of one of our local partners’ sales listed below, check out this OSU native plant finder.
Native plants are a great way to beautify your yard, pollinator garden, or hedgerow! While wintertime may seem gloomy, the promise of a new growing season is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to set your plans into motion. Several of our local area soil and water conservation districts offer native tree, shrub, and plants for sale each year.
Why are native plants an excellent addition to your landscape?
- Create habitat to support native wildlife including pollinators and beneficial insects
- Require little to no water after they are established besides good, old Oregon rain
- Environmentally friendly and require less work for the homeowner
- Grow happily and heartily in their native soil, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers
There are a wide variety of local, native plant species ideal for the Willamette Valley. Many are readily available for a great price from the following soil and water conservation districts.
Yamhill SWCD – Online ordering opens January 1, 2024 for pick up on March 1st and 2nd at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center in McMinnville, Oregon.
Marion SWCD – Online ordering is open now through February 10th. Pick up orders, as scheduled, at Bauman’s Farm, 12989 Howell Prairie Rd., NE, Gervais, OR on Friday or Saturday, March 1st or 2nd.
Clark Conservation District (WA) – Online pre-ordering is open now. Pick up location is at the CASEE center (11104 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie, WA) on Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at your selected pick-up time.
Benton SWCD– Online ordering is open now until February 1st or they run out of plants, whichever comes first. Pick up orders at Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis, OR on February 24, 2024.
East Multnomah SWCD – Online ordering begins soon. Sign up here for updates.
Polk SWCD – Online ordering is open now. Plant pick up on February 2 & 3, 2024 at 560 N. Oak Grove Rd., Salem, OR.
Washington County Small Woodlands Association – In-person sales on February 10, 2024. Sale will be held indoors at 30780 NW Highland Ct, North Plains, OR 97133.
Sparrowhawk Native Plant Sales – Sparrowhawk provides pop up sales in collaboration with many of our partners and conservation colleagues to provide fundraising opportunities and terrific native plants. Online ordering begins February 25th at 9:00 a.m. Visit their website for more information.
Want to learn more about which native plants are right for your property?
Oregon Grape provides habitat for birds and pollinators and is the Oregon state flower!
The following guides provide excellent information on trees, shrubs, and ground cover for native plants. These natives will thrive here in the Pacific Northwest and will provide valuable habitat for our native wildlife, including pollinators.
Native Plants for Pacific Northwest Gardens
OSU Extension Native Plant Gardening
Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards
Check out these quick tips for planting success:
- Match each plant to a specific location on your property according to sunlight, moisture, and drainage.
- Keep the roots moist (but not in standing water) until planting.
- Plant as soon as possible and water well. The advantage of winter planting is that the roots have a chance to establish before the hot, summer weather hits.
- For bare root plants, make sure that the crown (the area where the stem joins the roots) is at the soil level.
- Dig a large enough hole to ensure that roots are not bent back upwards.
- When planting a potted plant, make sure the crown is at the soil level, loosen the root ball so the plant’s roots will grow into the surrounding soil, and make sure the hole is at least half again the size of the root ball.
- Plan on watering plants throughout the first summer, and often if it is a particularly hot or dry season.
