It’s almost time for a new growing season! The ground may not look ready, but it’s not too early to start planning a sustainable landscaping project for the spring. We’ve put together a list of upcoming native plant sales in the Twin Cities Metro and throughout Minnesota.
Spring is the perfect time to add native plants to your garden. Native plants fortify our ecosystems by supporting local pollinators and improving water quality. Well-adapted to Minnesota’s climatic conditions, native plants have robust root systems that soak up stormwater and help re-engineer soil. They require less watering and are more drought-tolerant compared to non-native plants.
Whether you’re looking to install a raingarden, create a pocket planting, or fortify your shoreline, you’ll be able to find a wide variety of native plants, trees, and shrubs at these sales at a relatively low cost. Some sales offer pre-order options or require you to place an order ahead of time, so be sure to check each link for purchasing details.
Minnesota also boasts a number of native plant nurseries and retailers, many offering online ordering and delivery services. We share some of our favorites below. For a more comprehensive list, check out Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ statewide list of native plant suppliers or our Native Plants Nurseries and Retailers guide.
Wherever you shop, be sure to always ask for native plants that are insecticide- and neonicotinoid-free. Plants raised with these chemicals can be harmful to bees. If you’re a Lawns to Legumes grantee selecting plants for your project, look out for non-native cultivars or “nativars,” which are not reimbursable.
Happy shopping! Once you’ve got your new plants, be sure to check out the resources in our Learn tab for project guidance, design guides, and more!
Spring 2023 Native Plant Sales:
Wild Ones Twin Cities Spring Native Plant Resource Sale
- Tuesday, April 18, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield, MN
Whitewater Gardens Farm Annual Plant Sale
- Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 21, 11 am – 4 pm
- 17485 Calico Hill Road, Altura, MN 55910
- Friday, May 12, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday May 13, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 14, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Minnesota State Fair Grandstand
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Plant Sale
- Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Farm at the Arb, 3210 W. 82nd St., Chaska
Anoka County Master Gardener Plant Sale
- Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17
- Anoka County Fairgrounds, 3200 St Francis Blvd NW, Anoka, MN
Itasca County Master Gardeners Plant Sale
- Thursday, May 18, 5-6 pm
- North Central Research and Outreach Center, 1861 East HWY 169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Rochester Garden and Flower Club Annual Plant Sale
- Thursday, May 18, 4 – 7 pm
- Friday May 19, 8 am – 12 pm
- Graham Park, Building #41, 112 Arena Dr SE, Rochester
Southeast Minnesota Prairie Partners Native Plant Sale
- Saturday, May 20, 9 am – 1 pm
- Emmaus Baptist Church, 712 N Linden St, Northfield, MN 55057
Hennepin County Master Gardener Plant Sale
- Saturday, May 20, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343
Ramsey County Master Gardener Plant Sale
- Saturday, May 20, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Church of the Holy Childhood, 1435 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55108
Dakota County Master Gardener Plant Sale
- Saturday, May 20, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Whitetail Woods Regional Park, Empire Shelter, 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, MN 55024
Washington County Master Gardener Plant Sale + Garden Expo
- Saturday, May 20, 10 am – 3:00 pm
- Washington County Fairgrounds, Building A, 1200 40th St N, Lake Elmo
Burnsville Native Plant Market
- Saturday, May 20, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337
Edina Wild Ones Prairie Edge Native Plant Sale
- Friday, June 2 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Meetinghouse Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436
Landscape Revival Native Plant Expo & Market – Oakdale (Saint Paul Audubon Society)
- Saturday, June 3, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Oakdale Fire Station #1, 5000 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
St. Paul Wild Ones Big River Big Woods Native Plant Sale
- Monday, May 1 – Order deadline: last day to place your order.
- Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Day to pick up your plant orders.
- Sunday, June 4, noon to 3 p.m. – Day to pick up your plant orders.
- Pickup location: White Bear Lake, MN
Tanglewood Neighborhood Association Pollinator Pathway Project Plant Sale Fundraiser
- Order online now, plant pickup June 9-10
- Pick up location TBD
Landscape Revival Native Plant Expo & Market – Shoreview (Saint Paul Audubon Society)
- Saturday, June 10, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3920 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
Note: Blue Thumb is sharing these events for informational purposes. For questions about any of the above events, please contact the event organizers.
Blue Thumb Partner Native Plant Nurseries:
CC: NPS/Youth Conservation Corps
- Online store and retail location
- Now accepting online orders, with shipping deliveries starting late May to early June
- West Central (Morris)
- Online store and retail locations
- Now shipping online orders. Live plant orders will ship as early as May 1
- Metro (Princeton, Scandia, and Cloquet)
- Offers delivery, order by phone or at retail location
- Metro (Shafer)
- Offers delivery, online store only. Live plant orders will be processed and shipped in spring as weather and production schedules allow.
- Metro (multiple locations)
- Online store offering Native Plant Kits from Minnesota Native Landscapes
- Shipping is available, orders going out most likely in June
- Metro (multiple locations)
- Offers delivery, online store, retail location by appointment only
- West Central (Glenwood)
- Offers delivery, no retail location, dropsite option in Burnsville
- Metro
- Two retail locations, limited online selection with store pickup
- Metro (Minneapolis)