Native Plant Nursery Open House & Plant Sale
Saturday, May 1, 10 AM – 1 PM
Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah (FBP) invites the public to its Native Plant Nursery Open House and Plant Sale on Saturday May 1 from 10 AM to 1 PM. It’s peak wildflower season at Buford Park, and the plants at the nursery are on proud display! You will find a variety of blooming wildflowers, shrubs, and trees for sale. Visitors can tour the nursery facility, learn about park restoration projects and volunteer opportunities, and discover the beauty of over 80 species of native plants, including how to incorporate them into their gardens.
Click here to view our plants for sale
DIRECTIONS: From Exit 189 on I-5, take Franklin Blvd/Hwy 99 South under railroad bridge. Turn left on Seavey Loop Road. After 1.5 miles, cross bridge over river to enter Buford Park and turn left. After .25 mile, pass North Trailhead parking lot and yellow gate to reach the nursery. Free parking for this event!
Mini Clinics:
Butterfly Gardening at 11 AM.
Bird Gardening at 11:30 AM.
Learn how to integrate native plants into your home garden at Noon!
Expert ecologist Bruce Newhouse will present two mini-clinics. At 11 AM, the first mini-clinic will discuss which native plants attract butterflies and other pollinators. At 11:30 AM, a second mini-clinic will provide examples of plants that native birds and wildlife use for food and habitat.
With volunteer labor and community support, FBP’s Native Plant Nursery has developed steadily over the past eight years. In 2009, volunteers contributed over 2,200 hours of labor to help operate the nursery, propagating over 80 plant species, allowing us to enhance more acres of diverse habitats on the 2,363-acre Howard Buford Recreation Area (aka Mt Pisgah) and beyond.
“We grow native plants because many native species are not available on the market, or come from so far away that their unique genetics could harm our local native populations,” says Chris Orsinger, FBP Executive Director. “The FBP nursery provides genetically local native plants not only for Buford Park, but also to local restoration projects implemented by public agencies and watershed councils. Visitors to Mt. Pisgah enjoy the varied habitats and wildlife that depend upon them.” Plant sale proceeds are used to defray the cost of operating the nursery.
Friends of Buford Park also works to involve volunteers to improve trails and habitat, and also works with The Nature Conservancy to bring the adjacent 1,200 acres owned by Wildish Land Co into public ownership.
Native Plant Mini-Clinics
Presented by Ecologist Bruce Newhouse
11 am • Natural Attraction, Part I: Butterflies and Other Pollinators
What native plants will attract native pollinators? Will they grow in my yard? What kind of areas do they grow in? Learn the “sustainability” connection between what you plant, who will come to visit, and broader impacts. There’s a whole world of insect life out there, and you can attract butterflies and bees to your yard simply by knowing how to put out the right invitation. A pollinator plant list will be provided.
11:30 am • Natural Attraction, Part II: Birds and Other Wildlife
Can I attract native birds to my yard using native plants? And if so, which plants do that best? Learn about what birds eat, and why using native plants is the epitome of the sustainability movement. Learn how native plants can provide sustenance for wildlife directly (fruits and seeds) and indirectly (by attracting insects). A bird plant list will be provided.
Native Plant Mini-Clinics
Presented by Avid Gardener Janie Thomas
Noon • Garden-Worthy Native Plants
Avid gardener Janie Thomas will share her knowledge of gardening with native plants. During this mini-clinic, Janie will focus her discussion on "garden-worthy" native plants based on her personal experience. She will also discuss best-methods for incorporating native plants into your home garden.
Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah's Native Plant Nursery is located at Howard Buford Recreation Area, a Lane County Park. Lane County Parks supports this event.
