Gardeners are invited to shop the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s popular Native Plant Sale held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Mayslake Peabody Estate located at 1717 31st St. in Oak Brook.

Shoppers can get gardening advice from District plant experts at the sale, which will feature five new species this year. A list of anticipated native flowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs is available on the District’s website at dupageforest.org/native-plant-sale, but actual inventory will be based on supplier availability. Plants are not restocked each night.

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own boxes and wagons to transport their plants. Cash, credit, and checks will be accepted.

All plants for sale will have originated from seed collected within 100 miles of DuPage County and will be free of insecticides containing neonicotinoids, which are harmful to bees and other pollinators.

“The native plant sale helps promote the many benefits of growing native species, from providing important shelter and food sources for wildlife to offering low-maintenance beauty to our surroundings,” said Anamari Dorgan, director of Community Engagement at the Forest Preserve District. “Our sale is special because we offer direct access to plant experts who can offer customized recommendations based on a shopper’s preferences and growing conditions,” she added.

All proceeds from the sale go to support educational programming at the Forest Preserve District.

Native plants provide food for pollinators and require less maintenance and water than annuals during the hot summer months. Planting native also increases biodiversity and provides food sources for a variety of pollinators. Native plants with deep roots also help aerate the soil and clean the air.

Gardeners can also pick up free wood chips on Saturday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District’s native plant nursery on Mack Road 0.5 mile east of Route 59 at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. Individuals may fill one pickup truck or smaller vehicle; contractors are not allowed. A District employee will be on hand with a tractor to help fill trailers and truck beds. People who want smaller amounts should bring their own shovels and containers.