Making Garden Plans?

More than 70  varieties of sun-loving, shade-loving and savanna plants will be available for purchase at the Lake County Forest Preserves’ 14th  annual Native Plant Sale.

Stop by Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville from 9  a.m. to 3 p.m. May 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 8 to purchase  native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, vines and trees that thrive in  local gardens. For a  complete list of plants, visit www.LCFPD.org/plantsale.  

Held annually  on Mother’s Day weekend, this Native Plant Sale is a fundraiser  benefiting the Forest Preserves’ EnviroPatrol  Programs, including Mighty Acorns and Preservation Partners. These  award-winning programs teach Lake County students from grade school to high school about  the damaging effects of non-native species on the balance of nature.

Students join the EnviroPatrol and become superheroes in the fight to  keep nature healthy. Through team-building and hands-on conservation,  the EnviroPatrol works alongside Forest Preserve educators to restore an adopted preserve. 

Independence  Grove is located on Buckley Road (Route 137) east of Milwaukee Avenue  (Route 21) and west of I-94. Follow signs to the North Bay Pavilion for  the sale. Patrons of the Native Plant Sale are reminded that service  animals are welcome at Independence Grove — but dogs, horses and other  pets are not allowed. 

This year’s native plant list includes a full variety of unique flowers, ferns and  grasses. Native plants naturally thrive in Lake County soil and weather, requiring less time, effort  and expense to maintain. They provide valuable food and shelter to  native birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Because of the variety, ease of growing, and environmental benefits, native plants have become increasingly popular among professional landscapers and gardeners in  recent years.