Beautify your property and benefit the environment by buying native plants Saturday at Runge Conservation Nature Center.
The Grow Native! program and Runge Conservation Nature Center are holding a native plant sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Runge, 330 Commerce Drive in Jefferson City.
Six native plant vendors will sell various native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs and trees: Ozark Soul Native Plants, Gaylena's Garden, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Prairie Hill Farm, Forrest Keeling Nursery and Sunrise Gardens.
The Missouri Prairie Foundation's Grow Native! program will also have free native landscaping literature available, and garden signs and books for sale.
This year marks the 17th year Runge Conservation Nature Center has hosted a native plant sales, according to a news release from the Grow Native! program, a 22-year old native plant marketing and education program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, a 56-year old prairie conservation organization and land trust.
In the news release, Austin Lambert, a naturalist at Runge, said the plant sales are popular for good reason.
"Using native plants in your landscaping is a simple way to beautify your property while benefiting many pollinators, butterflies, songbirds and other beneficial wildlife," he said. "Not only are native plants easy to take care of, but there is a native tree, shrub, vine or other plant that is perfect for every situation."
Shoppers can stroll through the sale and purchase plants from each vendor or pre-order plants and pick them up at the event. Some vendors accept cash, check and credit cards; some only accept cash or checks. Volunteers will be available to load plants into vehicles for those needing assistance.
When placing your pre-orders, include your name and phone number and note the order is for the Runge Conservation Nature Center sale Saturday.
The following vendors are accepting pre-orders.
• Ozark Soul Native Plants: Order by noon Wednesday by emailing [email protected] or calling 816-809-4062. Visit ozarksoul.com/availability.php for a plant availability list.
• Gaylena's Garden: Email [email protected] to request a plant list and submit an order. Orders must be placed by noon Friday.
• Missouri Wildflowers Nursery: Order by calling 573-496-3492 or emailing [email protected]. Visit mowildflowers.net to view available plants. Orders must be placed before Tuesday.
• Forrest Keeling Nursery: Order at forrest-keeling-nursery.myshopify.com by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
• Sunrise Gardens: Order at sunrisegardens.net until noon Friday.