Text and photos by Kasha Helget
With longer daylight hours, warming soils, and the return of birds and butterflies, we want to spend more time outdoors. It’s a perfect time to install beautiful native plants that also benefit the critters that depend on them. So, please consider a few—or several native plants to brighten your yard, patio or deck!
Why Choose Native Plants?
Because they’re “from here,” natives are adapted to our climate and soil conditions. They are often the only or most healthful source of nectar, pollen, seeds, and leaves for local butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals. Other benefits of native plants are that they:
- do not require fertilizers and few if any pesticides,
- need less water than lawns, and help prevent erosion,
- help reduce air pollution,
- provide shelter and food for wildlife,
- promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage, and
- are beautiful and increase scenic values!
How to Choose the Right Natives for Your Yard or Pots?
It’s important to install the right plants for your conditions (wet, dry, shade, sun, slope, bog, soil type, etc.). How do you know what’s right for you? One of the best sources is the Plant Nova Natives website: http://www.plantnovanatives.org/, with easy-to-follow tips, lots of photos, and additional links to learn what will work for your situation.
Where Can You Buy Natives?
Most commercial nurseries do not carry a lot of native plants. If you have a favorite place that has a weak selection, tell them that you’d love if they could stock more. But no matter; this is also the best time of year to visit a growing number of native plant sales in the area (many of which provide food, entertainment, and fun for kids, too). Here is information on several in Northern Virginia and one in District of Columbia. Happy shopping and planting!
Spring 2018 Native Plant Sales
Friends of Riverbend Park, Native Plant Sale
Pre-order through 03/16/2018. Order Online for pick up May 4
Sale 05/05/2018
8am to 11am
The Grange: 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA
Features plants native to the Potomac River Gorge.
Visit the Sale Site
Friends of the National Arboretum, Lahr Symposium and Native Plant Sale
03/24/2018
9am to 4pm
U.S. National Arboretum: 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC Sale located in R Street parking lot at Arboretum.
Visit the Sale Site
Potowmack Chapter Weekly Plant Sale
From April 4th through October is a low-key WEEKLY plant sale on the first Wednesday of each month at the propagation beds behind the main building at Green Springs Garden.
10am to 12pm
4603 Green Spring Rd Alexandria, VA 22312 Park Website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
Visit the Sale Site
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Native Plant Sale
Rescheduled to 05/19/2018
9am to 3pm
Morven Park: 17263 Southern Planter Ln, Leesburg, VA
Spring and fall sales.
Visit the Sale Site
NOVA Soil & Water Conservation District, Native Seedling Sale
Order online till 04/11/18
Pick up plants on Friday, April 20, 9am-4pm, or Saturday, April 21, 9am-noon at Packard Center, 4022 Hummer Rd, Annandale, VA.
Visit the Sale Site
American Horticulture Society, Spring Garden Market
4/13-14/2018
10am to 4pm
River Farm: 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA
2 day sale, first 2 hours for members only. Includes some native plant vendors.
Visit the Sale Site
Long Branch Nature Center
Pre-order through 04/24/2017.
Order Online for pick up May 4 or 5
Sale 05/05/2018
1-4pm
Long Branch Nature Center 625 S. Carlin Springs Road Arlington, VA 22204
Visit the Sale Site
Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale
04/28/2018
9am to 2pm
The Church of St. Clement: 1701 N. Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA Spring and fall sales.
Visit the Sale Site
Rappahannock Plant Sale at Waterpenny Farm
04/28/2018
9am to 3pm
53 Waterpenny Lane Sperryville, VA 22740
Visit the Sale Site
Falls Church Native Plant Sale (Girl Scout Troop 1251)
Order online till 5/9
Pick up plants on 5/13 at Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 (behind the community center near the basketball court) between 11am and 1pm.
Visit the Sale Site
Reston Association, Spring Festival
05/05/2018
1pm to 5pm
Walker Nature Center: 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA
Includes a native plant sale.
Visit the Sale Site
Earth Sangha Plant Sale
05/06/2018
10am to 2pm
6100 Cloud Drive, Springfield, VA
Visit the Sale Site
Prince William Wildflower Society
05/12/2018
9am to 12pm
Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church picnic area: 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas, VA VNPS Chapter native plant sale
Green Springs Garden Day Plant Sale, Potowmack Chapter Native Plants, and other native vendors
05/19/2018
9am to 3pm
Green Spring Gardens: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA
Multi-vendor sale; some selling natives including the VNPS Potowmack Chapter
Visit the Sale Site