Let the Friends help you with all your native gardening needs!

More than 100 species of native grasses, prairie plants, ferns, woodland  flowers, shrubs and trees will be available for purchase at the Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the tents next to the Arboretum Visitor Center, 1207 Seminole Highway in Madison.

The selection this year includes favorites such as trillium, pale purple coneflower, little bluestem, bergamot, maidenhair fern, sky blue aster, wild iris and prairie dropseed.

All plants are native to the area, and once established require minimal care. Species are suited for a wide range of growing conditions -- sunny or shady, wet or dry, sandy or heavy soils. No plants are dug from the wild.

Experts will be available at the sale and can advise you on:
- Species for semi-shady locations
- Native plants for ground cover
- Grasses suitable for smaller areas
- Species for shrub borders
- How to start a no-mow lawn

All proceeds from the sale benefit Arboretum programs.