When does the sale begin?

The online sale will begin Wednesday, January 15th, at 6 PM. Our online store will be open until January 29th *or* until plants sell out – whichever comes first.

How do I order my plants?

Our online Plant Sale store will open on Wednesday, January 15th, 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 save this email for future reference.)

How much do the plants cost?

All plants will be approximately $5 each.

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

We request that customers order no more than 10 of each species total, even if you place multiple orders. We have limited quantities of plants, and all customers deserve a fair chance to get the plants they need.

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. See our native plant wholesale suppliers and 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 at our office in North Portland on Saturday, February 15th. 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 15th
• 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. We will have a number to call if you have questions or concerns about pick-up day accessibility.

What if I want to get plants but cannot pick them up on Pick-up Day?

We cannot hold orders after Pick-up Day, so please arrange to have a friend pick them up for you! If you cannot find anyone to pick them up for you, please contact us to request a refund (deadline TBD). Please see our full Refund and Cancellation Policy page for more details.

Can I buy leftover plants?

We cannot sell any plants after the online store closes. Any plants remaining after the end of the Pick-up Day, including orders not picked up, are donated to local habitat restoration projects.

What plants are you selling this year?

Check out our 2025 Plant List!
Please note: Species are subject to change depending on availability.

Why are you only selling trees and shrubs?

We sell only bare-root trees and shrubs for a couple of reasons. Trees and shrubs provide more wildlife habitat than groundcovers, and groundcovers are now readily available at many local retail locations. 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. Here you will find plant swaps, retail nurseries, wholesale nurseries, and seed suppliers.

What are bare-root plants?

Bare-root plants are plants that have been grown in the ground and had the soil removed from their roots prior to shipping. They are shipped to us in large bags that retain moisture, and we keep their roots wet as we sort them into orders. Because they are dormant without leaves, the deciduous species basically look like sticks with roots, but they are still healthy, vital plants ready to start leafing out in the spring!

What are the benefits of bare-root plants?

Bare-root plants offer several advantages. They are very hardy and less likely to experience the shock that root-bound, potted plants sometimes go through when re-planted. Secondly, they take up very little space and weigh almost nothing, making transport and planting very easy. Finally, bare-root trees and shrubs are very inexpensive, so you 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 and work with! 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 will be approximately 12″ – 36″ in height; a few fast-growing species will be up to 48″ or a little taller.
• Some evergreen species come in “plug” form, with a bit of soil still around their dense roots. These are similar to a small potted plant but without the pot, and usually with a longer root mass (up to 6″ in length). Plugs are generally 12-18″ tall including the roots.

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 their initial stick-like appearance, they will sprout new growth in the spring, and most species will start growing significantly in a few years.

How soon should I plant them?

As soon as you can! It is best to plant them the same day that you pick them up, or within a few days. This 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.

Learn more planting basics in How to Plant Native Plants

What if I can’t plant them right away?

Keep the roots MOIST, and the plants DARK and COLD so they stay dormant. You can temporarily plant them by digging a shallow trench in your yard and covering the roots with native soil. You can also store them in a bucket with soil or wet sawdust, or in pots with native soil from your yard (not potting soil). They can survive for a little while like this but really need to get in the ground asap.

(Note: Do NOT store them in standing water, except for giving them a drink for a few hours immediately before you plant them–and that is optional. Plant roots need oxygen and if you leave them in water too long, they’ll drown).

Do I need to protect them from snow and frost?

No! These plants are hardy natives that naturally live outdoors unprotected all winter. Just make sure the roots and any surrounding soil or sawdust are thawed and flexible before you plant, to avoid damage to the plant.

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 harder-to-find species from southern Washington. All plants are descended or ethically sourced from wild, open-pollinated, local populations.

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.