A Portland Water guide to native plant sale season

Blog Post

Looking to save water outdoors? Try planting more native plants, which require less water that most non-native plants. Not sure where to start? Don't panic!
Get a head start with this guide to native plant sale season from the Portland Water Bureau, part of the City's Public Works Service Area.

Winter is the season of rainy gray skies, cozy sweaters, and curling up with a mug of tea while dreaming of beautiful spring days ahead. It's also the season to jump-start your spring gardening with native plant sales!

Most local plant vendors take orders from January until early March. So now is the perfect time to start planning for a thriving garden this spring and summer!

Planting more native plants, like the Douglas Aster pictured here, can help you use less water outdoors.

Why fill your garden with native plants? Native plants offer many benefits to your yard, soil, and wildlife. They require fewer pesticides and much less water and fertilizer than turf grass lawns. They also provide habitat for wildlife, pollinators, and birds. Native plants are a great low-water, low-maintenance, and beautiful choice for your garden.

Western yarrow, kinnikinnick, Oregon iris, Douglas aster, tall Oregon grape, Pacific ninebark-which native plants are right for you? Search for and learn more about native plants in the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District's native plant database.

The Portland area has many places to pick up native plants. We've highlighted a few sales below, and you can visit the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District's local sources of native plants web page for more.

• Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District: Online ordering open now through February 17. Pick-up days are February 27-March 1.
• Marion Soil and Water Conservation District: Online ordering open now through February 14. Pick-up days are February 28 and March 1.
• Hardy Plant Society of Oregon: In-person plant and garden art sale (Hortlandia). April 4-5 at the Wingspan Event Center at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
• Sparrowhawk Native Plants:Online ordering begins March 2. Pick-up days will be in April or May, with exact locations and dates announced in February.
• Scappoose Bay Watershed Council: In-person native plant sale. April 12 at their nursery, located behind Scappoose High School.

Wait! There's more! If you're looking for edible plants, check out the Multnomah County Master Gardener Association's Incredible Edibles Plant Sale on May 10, 2025.