Growing options to buy native plants in Wisconsin
It’s never been easier to add a few good plants for birds to your yard, patio, balcony or garden.
Want to add a few plants around your home that benefit songbirds and other wildlife?
The nonnative hydrangeas and Bradford pear trees common in many of our yards may be beautiful to look at but are often a food desert for wildlife. Nonnative species haven’t evolved with native insects over time so the plants are often toxic to native insects, which land-based birds need to feed their young.
The good news is there are growing options to add beneficial native plants to your yard, garden, patio or balcony.
More nature centers and conservation organizations are hosting in-person or online sales — or in some cases, both — this spring. See our listing below of the sales we’re aware of and check in with Wild Ones Wisconsin Chapters not listed below to see when they hold their sales.
The number of Wisconsin native plant nurseries or nurseries offering native plants is growing as well. Check Wisconsin’s DNR’s list of Wisconsin Native Plant Nurseries for options near you.
Learn more why adding a few native plants around your home can be so important for birds and other wildlife, and see some suggestions for plants to get started helping Wisconsin songbirds!
2023 native plant sales hosted by nature centers and conservation organizations
Entire month of June, Menomonee Falls
Menomonee River, Milwaukee North, and Milwaukee Southwest/Wehr Wild Ones team up with Johnson’s Nursery for a native plant fundraiser for the three chapters. All active Wild Ones members receive 40% off Wisconsin native plants in containers purchased onsite any day in June at the nursery’s Menomonee Falls location, W180N6275 Marcy Road, 53051. Must show a valid Wild Ones membership card to get the discount. Join a chapter today. Basic household annual dues are $40 or choose to give more.
June 3, Antigo
Wild Ones Northwoods Gateway Chapter Native Plant Sale, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Antigo Farmers Market, 420 Field Street, Antigo, 54409.
June 3 & 4, Milwaukee
Friends of Wehr Native Plant Fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on June 3, and 9 a.m. until plants are gone on June 4, at Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W College Ave., Milwaukee, 53132.
June 10, Milwaukee
Native Plant Sale, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, 53217.
Students planting a pollinator garden at McDill Elementary in Stevens Point. Photo by Sara Windjue.