When does the sale begin?

The sale will begin the evening of Tuesday, January 17th, at 6 pm. Online sales will be open for 2 weeks *or* until plants sell out – whichever comes first.

How do I order my plants?

Our online Plant Sale store will open on Tuesday, January 17th, at 6 pm. Similar to other online shopping venues, you can browse plants, select quantities and submit your order. (Note: After your order is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provide at checkout. Please keep this email on file.)

How much do the plants cost?

All plants will be approximately $5 each.

Is there a limit to how many plants I can order?

Customers can purchase up to 10 of each species. We have limited quantities of plants, so this ensures that all customers have a chance to enjoy the variety that we have to offer.

Please note: If you need large volumes of plants for a big project or restoration site (25-50 or more) you may wish to consider placing a wholesale order. Here is a list of local native plant wholesale suppliers where you can purchase plants in bulk, and this document walks you through how to place a wholesale order: Placing a Wholesale Order. You can also contact Whitney Bailey at whitney@emswcd.org if you have any questions.

When & where do I pick up my plants?

Customers can pick up plant orders on Saturday, February 18th. Due to space and capacity limitations, this is the only day that plants are available for pick-up. Please mark your calendar!

• Date: Saturday, February 18th
• Time: 10am-3pm
• Location: EMSWCD Office (in the parking lot behind the building)
• Address: 5211 N Williams Ave., Portland
• See Pick-up Day Details for more information.

NOTE: Our parking lot will be closed to vehicles on pick-up day, so parking will be limited to the street. However, many staff and volunteers will be available to help carry plants to cars!

♿ Accessibility:

Our parking lot will be closed to vehicles on pick-up day, so parking will be limited to the street. There will be a designated ADA parking spot reserved at our driveway entrance (located on N. Roselawn between N. Williams and N. Vancouver Ave.) Many staff and volunteers will also be available to carry plants to cars. For questions or concerns about pick-up day accessibility, please call (503) 222-7645.

What if I am not able to pick up my plants?

Please arrange to have a friend pick them up for you by the close of pick-up day, because we are unable to either hold or ship orders. If no one is available to pick them up for you, you can request a refund until 5pm on January 27th. Please see our full Refund and Cancellation Policy page for more details.

Are there ever any leftover plants?

Any stock that remains after the sale closes will be used in local restoration projects.

What plants are you selling this year?

Check out our 2023 Plant List!
Please note: Species are subject to change depending on availability.

Why are you only selling trees and shrubs?

We focus exclusively on bare-root trees and shrubs for a couple of reasons. Groundcovers have become more readily available at many local retail locations, while bare-root trees and shrubs are not as common. We also have limited space and staff/volunteer capacity to prepare orders.

We know from our past sales just how popular native groundcovers are, so we have put together a helpful list of Local Sources of Native Plants at comparable prices!

What are bare-root plants?

Bare-root plants are grown in the ground, never in pots. Simply put, they have been removed from soil prior to shipping. We receive them in bundles with the roots exposed (rather than in soil and pots) and packed in large bags that retain moisture.

What are the benefits of bare-root plants?

We offer bare-root plants because they offer several advantages. For one, bare-root plants don’t experience the shock that root-bound potted plants tend to face when re-planted. They are ready to be planted directly into the ground right from the start. Secondly, offering bare-root trees and shrubs allows us to get plants at a very inexpensive price, so you can get more plants for less money!

How big are the plants? / What sizes do you carry?

The plants are quite small as they are only 1-2 years old. This makes them easy to transport! Below is a breakdown of the range of sizes you can expect. (Estimates are approximate and will vary depending on species):

• Most trees and shrubs are approximately 12″ – 36″ in height.
• Occasionally, there are species that come in “plug” form. (These are similar to a small potted plant but without the pot, and usually with a longer root mass (up to 6″ in length).

What do bare-root plants look like?

They don’t look like much at first, because they are (mostly) deciduous and in their dormant phase when you receive them. Growers usually prune the stalk between 12” – 24”. Despite this stick-like appearance, they sprout new growth in the spring.

How soon should I plant them?

It is best to plant them the same day that you pick them up. The rush is because once the plants leave our dark refrigerated storage and are exposed to warmth and sunshine, they will begin to break dormancy, which means they need moisture and nutrients ASAP. If possible, plant them in the ground as soon as possible.

Learn more planting basics in How to Plant Native Plants

What if I can’t plant them right away?

The important thing is to keep the roots moist, and the plants dark and cold so they don’t break dormancy before they are planted. You can temporarily plant them by digging a shallow trench and covering roots with native soil from your yard, storing them in a bucket with soil or wet sawdust, or tucking them into pots. Note: do not use potting soil – be sure to use the native soil from your yard.

Where do the plants come from?

The majority of our plants are from local nurseries throughout the Willamette Valley. We occasionally source a few of the hard to find species from southern Washington.

Where else can I get native plants?

You can find a list of other local native plant sales, retail stores and wholesalers on the Local Sources of Native Plants page of our website.