Native plant sales are popping up around Michigan. Find one near you
- Dozens of native plant sales are popping up in Michigan this spring and early summer
- Native plants are from the area and evolved with the local ecosystem
- They attract more insects and can provide a place for butterflies to lay eggs
It’s the time of year in Michigan when spring blossoms are blooming, the daffodils and tulips are out, and native plant sales are popping up!
Native species — plants from the area that have evolved with the local ecosystem — have a lot of benefits. They can provide a place for picky butterflies like the monarch or the endangered Karner blue to lay their eggs, they do a better job at attracting insects for birds to feed on and they’re easy to care for.
“Once you've established them, you don't have to baby them,” said Jackie Manchester-Kempke, president of the Michigan Master Gardener Association. “They’re going to make it because they’re tough and they fit the environment.”
After all, those plants grow in the wild without anyone taking care of them.
Planting natives can also help protect against invasive species, plants not from the area that spread rapidly and throw off the balance of the ecosystem. If a native is established, it’s one less place for an invasive plant to grow.
If you’re new to gardening with native plants, Manchester-Kempke recommends trying black-eyed Susan because it’s cheery, New England aster because it blooms late and insects love it, anise hyssop because when you crush the leaves they smell like licorice or red osier dogwood because it has beautiful red stems.
Below, you’ll find pop-up native plant sales happening this spring around the state. The list was put together with some help from Bridge Michigan readers and is not a comprehensive list. If you don’t see a native plant sale listed near you, we recommend you reach out to your local Conservation District.
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SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN
- Now through April 30: Friends of the Rouge Spring Sale pre-orders available online. Pick up plants on May 17 in Livonia.
- Now through May 25: Detroit Abloom Native Plant Store is open for pre-orders online. Pick up is expected on May 26 in Detroit.
- May 30: River Raisin Watershed Council’s 1st Annual Native Plant Sale, 2 to 7:30 p.m. in Tecumseh.
- May 31: Native Roots - Plant Sale & Community Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Clarkston.
- June 7: Washtenaw County Conservation District’s Native Plant Expo & Marketplace, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Ann Arbor.
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SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
- Now through May 2: Berrien County Conservation District Native Plant Sale pre-orders are available online. Pick up plants May 21 in Berrien Springs.
- May 10: Kent Conservation District Spring Wildflower Sale, 10 a.m to 3 p.m. in Grand Rapids. Pre-orders, available until May 1, are highly recommended.
- Now through May 16: Kalamazoo Area Chapter of Wild Ones Native Plant Sale pre-orders are available online. Pick up plants May 28 to 20 in Kalamazoo.
- May 17: Calvin University Native Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Grand Rapids. Separately, the online plant sale begins May 23.
- May 17: Muskegon Conservation District Native Perennial Sale, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Twin Lake.
MID-MICHIGAN AND THE THUMB
- Now through May 9: Montcalm Conservation District Spring Native Plant Sale pre-order available online. Pick up plants May 16 in Stanton.
- May 31: Chippewa Nature Center Public Native Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m in Midland. A sale just for members is happening 1 to 6 p.m. on May 30.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
- Now through May 12: Mecosta and Oceola-Lake conservation districts Spring Native Plant Sales are open for pre-orders online. Pick up plants June 6 in Reed City.
- May 17: Grand Traverse Conservation District Native Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Traverse City. Several plants will be available day-of but flat kits must be pre-ordered before April 30.
- June 14: Gruler Gardens Native Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Petoskey.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
- May 17: Friends of Tawas Point State Park Annual Native Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to noon in East Tawas.
- May 24 to 25: Golden Sun Botanicals 1st Annual Native Plant Sale, starts at 10 a.m. each day in Cheboygan.
THE UPPER PENINSULA
- May 24: Designs by Nature UP Native Plants Native Plant Sale to benefit Moosewood Nature Center, noon to 2 p.m. in Marquette. A presentation on native plants and UP butterflies and moths happens at 11 a.m.
- June 1: Designs by Nature UP Native Plants will sell native plants at the Ishpeming Farmers Market, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ishpeming.
- Now through June 15: Delta Conservation District Native Wildflower Sale pre-orders from Designs by Nature UP Native Plants are available online. Pick up plants on June 21 in Escanaba.
Is there a Michigan outdoor event on your radar that you want to make sure we don’t miss? Email Laura Herberg at LHerberg@bridgemi.com.
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