Text and photos by Kasha Helget
After a rough winter, we’re experiencing warmer days and the return of birds, bees, and butterflies that depend on native plants to survive and feed their young. Native plants also provide beauty to our pots, yards, and landscapes. Where to find them? Actually, the timing is excellent because there are a number of native plant sales all around our area. So, consider adding a few—or several—natives to your garden, patio, deck, or balcony. You will help our local wildlife survive and thrive!
Why Are Native Plants Important?
Native species are plants that have occurred naturally in a particular place, not introduced or manipulated by humans to change their features, like cultivars. These native species have co-evolved with animals and other organisms over hundreds of years and are often the most—or only—healthful source of nectar, pollen, seeds, and leaves for local butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals. But there are many other benefits of native plants. 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 for wildlife,
- promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural spaces, and
- are beautiful and can increase landscape values!
How to Determine the Right Natives for Your Yard or Pots?
It’s important to install the right plants for your conditions (wet, dry, shade, sun, slope, soil type, etc.). How do you know what’s right for you? One of the best sources is Plant NoVA Natives with easy-to-follow tips, dozens of photos and descriptions of plant conditions, and additional links to learn what will work best for your situation. All of the plants listed on the PNN site are true or “straight” native species, not cultivars (AKA “nativars”). As noted above, native species, especially those that are locally sourced, are always the best choices for native wildlife.
To learn more about natives vs. cultivars check out the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ excellent discussion: “Native Species or Cultivars of Native Plants–Does it Matter?”
Where Can You Buy Natives?
Most commercial nurseries do not carry many, if any, native species; if they do have “natives,” these are often cultivars with features that may not support local wildlife. If you have a favorite nursery that has a weak selection of native species, tell management to please stock more. And don’t be afraid to ask for true natives—not cultivars or nativars. If staff members don’t know if they have any or aren’t sure of the difference between a true (straight species) native and a cultivar, it would be best to buy the natives from folks who know and carry the true native species.
The good news is that there are increasing numbers of native plant sales, nurseries, and other resources in the area. But be sure to look at the labels or ask if plants are true natives. (Some native plant dealers also have cultivars among the plants for sale.) As an extra bonus, many seasonal sales are part of festivals with food, entertainment, and fun for kids, too. Below is information on several in Northern Virginia. Happy shopping, planting, and enjoying!
Spring 2026 Native Plant Sales and Events
Order Plants Online
Now until sold out
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Native Seedling Sale
Online order and pickup details at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale.
Now until April 3
Walker Nature Center Native Plant Sale
Pre-order deadline April 3 at 5pm. Click here to order plants online. Pickup on April 18 between 9:30am and 1:00pm at Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191.
See additional details at: https://www.reston.org/DocumentCenter/View/2285/Walker-Nature-Center-Native-Plant-Sale-Flyer-2026.
Now until March 30
Friends of Riverbend Park Native Plant Sale
Pre-order deadline March 30. Click here for available plants and plant pickup details. Pickup on April 18 between 10am and 5pm. Bluebells may also be purchased on April 11 beginning at 10am while supplies last during Riverbend Park’s Bluebell Festival.
8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066.
https://forb.wildapricot.org/page-1828482.
March 17 until April 17
Arlington Native Plant Sale
Pre-order deadline April 17 at 5pm. Click here for available plants and plant pickup details.
Pick-up on April 25 between 10am and 1pm at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St. N. Arlington, VA 22207.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Programs/Explore-Nature-and-History-in-Arlington/Native-Plants/Native-Plant-Sale.
Now until April 25
Ayr Hill Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
Pre-order deadline April 25. Click here for available plants and plant pickup information.
Pickup on May 9 between 8am and 1pm at Freeman Store and Museum side lawn, 131 Church Street NE, Vienna, VA 22180.
(See below for in-person sale on May 9 for plants not available online.)
https://ahgcplantsale.square.site/.
Buy Plants in Person
Saturday, March 28
8am–1pm
National Arboretum Native Plant Sale
2400 R Street, NE, Washington DC 20002
Held in conjunction with the National Arboretum’s Lahr Native Plant Symposium.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fona-native-plant-sale-tickets-1980198155990?aff=erellivmlt .
NOTE: This sale, while in the District of Columbia, is the first in-person sale of the season and includes mostly Virginia native plant growers.
Wednesday, April 4, and first Wednesdays of month through October
10am–1pm
VNPS Potowmack Chapter Monthly Native Plant Sale
VNPS Potowmack Chapter plant sales are held at the propagation beds across the driveway behind the Horticulture Center at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
https://vnps.org/potowmack/plant-sale/.
Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11
9am–3pm
American Horticultural Society Spring Garden Market
River Farm, 7931 E Boulevard Drive, Alexandria VA 22308.
https://ahsgardening.org/spring-garden-market/.
Saturday, April 11
9am–2pm
Spring Native Plant Sale at Morven Park
Morven Park, 17195 Southern Planter Ln, Leesburg, VA 20176.
https://loudounwildlife.org/event/spring-native-plant-sale/.
Saturday, April 11
10am Bluebells on sale during Riverbend Park’s Bluebell Festival (while supplies last).
8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066.
https://forb.wildapricot.org/page-1828482.
Saturday, April 18
10am–3pm
Glencarlyn Spring Celebration and Plant Sale
Glencarlyn Library Garden, 300 South Kensington Street, Arlington, VA 22204.
https://mgnv.org/event/spring-celebration-plant-sale-glencarlyn-2026/.
Saturday, April 25
9am–2pm
Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale
The Church of St. Clement, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Saturday, May 2
8am–12pm
Town of Vienna Conservation and Sustainability Commission Native Plant Sale
Vienna Community Center,120 Cherry St., Vienna, VA 22180.
Please bring your used plastic nursery pots.
https://www.viennava.gov/Town-Government/Boards-and-Commissions/Conservation-and-Sustainability-Commission.
Saturday, May 2
9am–2pm
Friends of Runnymede Park Spring Native Plant Sale
195 Herndon Parkway, Runnymede Parking Lot, Herndon, VA 20170.
https://friendsofrunnymedepark.org/events.
Saturday, May 2
9am–12pm
Master Gardeners of Prince William Plant Sale
St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136.
Cash or check only; includes both native and non-native plants.
https://mgpw.org/plant-sales/.
Saturday, May 2
11am–2pm
Clifton Institute Spring Native Plant Sale
6712 Blantyre Rd., Warrenton, Va 20187.
Local ecotype (true native plants) only.
https://cliftoninstitute.org/event/spring-native-plant-sale-3/.
Saturday-Sunday, May 9–10
9am–4pm
Blandy Garden Fair at Blandy Experimental Farm
Blandy Farm Members and Volunteers enjoy an exclusive Preview Night on the Friday evening, May 8, before the public event. See link below for details. 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA 22620.
https://blandy.virginia.edu/garden-fair.
Saturday, May 9
8am–1pm
Ayr Hill Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
Freeman Store and Museum side lawn, 131 Church Street NE, Vienna, VA 22180.
https://ahgcplantsale.square.site/.
Saturday, May 16
9am–3pm
Green Spring Garden Day
4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria VA 22312.
Assorted garden-related and native plant vendors, including the VNPS-Potowmack native plant sale behind the Horticultural Center.
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring/plant-sale/051626.
Saturday, June 6
8am–2pm
GardenFest at Belle Grove Plantation
336 Belle Grove Rd, Middletown, VA 22645.
Includes both native and non-native plants.
https://nsvmga.org/events/gardenfest//.
Wait! There’s More . . . .
Native plants are also sold at the following farmers’ markets:
- Manassas
- Brambleton
- Dulles Town Center
- Four Mile Run
And local native plants nurseries:
Nature by Design, Earth Sangha in Springfield, and Watermark Woods in Hamilton, Virginia are open throughout the growing season to supply your needs.
Click here for more details on these and other resources.
Finally, here are Autumn 2026 Native Plant Sales scheduled (so far)
Wednesday, September 2, and October 7
10am–1pm
VNPS Potowmack Chapter Monthly Native Plant Sale
VNPS Potowmack Chapter plant sales are held on the first Wednesday of the month, April through October, at the propagation beds across the driveway behind the Horticulture Center at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
https://vnps.org/potowmack/plant-sale/.
Saturday, Sept 5
9am–12pm
Master Gardeners of Prince William Plant Sale
St. Benedict Monastery
9535 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136.
Cash or check only; includes both native and non-native plants.
https://mgpw.org/plant-sales/.
Saturday, September 12
9am-2pm
Fall Native Plant Sale at Morven Park
Morven Park, 17195 Southern Planter Ln, Leesburg, VA 20176.
https://loudounwildlife.org/event/fall-native-plant-sale/.
Saturday, September 26
9am–2pm
Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale
The Church of St. Clement, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302.
www.northernalexandrianativeplantsale.org/.
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Thanks, Kasha!
I wanted to add that EarthSangha.org (in Springfield) propagates locally sourced seeds (called “local ecotype”). Local ecotype plants are the best of the best! More studies are showing that our indigenous insects have a direct connection to the plants they evolved with. That means, for instance, that plants being sold from Oregon or North Carolina (or even other counties in Virginia) may not provide the same benefits as the plants that grow here in Northern Virginia naturally– and some insects may not be able to use those imported plants effectively.
Thanks for reading! PS Earth Sangha officially opens on March 22, 2026.