Plant Sale Planned Saturday, Sunday At Isle A La Cache

ROMEOVILLE, IL — If you didn't get around to ordering during The Nature Foundation of Will County's online Summer Blooms Native Plant Sale, you can still pick up some plants during an in-person sale from July 23-24, according to a release from the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

The plants will help out local pollinators by providing much-needed nutrition from July through October, the preserve said.

Those who haven't purchased plants online can still shop the selection of blooms in person from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday or noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville. Those also are the times and dates for plants ordered online to be picked up, according to the preserve.

Experts will be on hand to help with native plant selection. Also, on Saturday, representatives will be present from the University of Illinois Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, Wild Birds Unlimited – Joliet, Will County Audubon and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative – Morton Arboretum.

"The Summer Blooms Native Plant Sale takes its inspiration from pollinator conservationist and author Heather Holm," Cindy Harn, the Foundation's executive director, said in a release. "Her research on native bees has shown how critical late-blooming native plants like asters and goldenrod are to pollinators as they prepare for overwintering or migration."

The key is to offer variety, as nature would, from spring to fall, Harn added.

"That’s what we are really trying to do, mimic nature and extend the boundaries of our protected natural areas into our yards and communities, giving wildlife more opportunities to thrive," she said.

All proceeds from the plant sale assist the Nature Foundation in supporting the Forest Preserve District of Will County's efforts to provide recreational opportunities, host programs for diverse audiences and protect the health and well-being of nature through land conservation, the preserve said.