“The Native Plant Sale is a personal holiday!” – Native Plant Sale customer
Torrential rain was no matter for the over 770 people who took part in the Whatcom Conservation District’s 32nd Annual Native Plant Sale & Celebration! Over 400 people arrived in the first hour to excitedly browse the over 40 native species available and then visit the sixteen exhibitors and vendors at the annual event. Ferndale’s Pioneer Park was full of smiles and joy over the coming spring season.
“This is the third year we’ve ordered from the Whatcom CD Native Plant Sale. The starts we’ve planted the past two years are growing and thriving. We can’t wait to get our new plants in the ground!” - Jen & Leslie Heron, Native Plant Sale customers
“I really like the variety of plants and all the information available about them! I also enjoy the walk-up plant sale and exhibits. Everyone working at the sale is so friendly and helpful!” - Monica Van der Vieren, Native Plant Sale customer
The amount of excitement over the rain varied, but the excitement around native plants was universally shared, as a line began to form around the block an hour before the sale began on the 15th. Everyone who attended was greeted by smiling staff and cheerful vendors before perusing the large selection of native plants. After making their plant sale purchases, customers explored the booths of community exhibitors. From native plant experts to conservation organizations, there was something of interest for everyone! Even the kids enjoyed free plants and other hands-on activities at the booths. Several local plant nurseries and one selling garden art were there adding to the plant purchasing opportunities and garden beautification.
“We were so excited by the selection of native plants available for pre-sale this year. Picking our pre-sale items up at the event gave us a chance to visit with the other plant vendors, learn about local resources at the booths, and buy a few more plants - and what gardener doesn’t like that?!?” - Jen and Leslie Heron
Before the celebration began, several hundred people picked up their pre-ordered plants at Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association’s campus near Bellingham. Everyone who attended the pick-up day on Friday experienced sunshine, smiling staff, some tree jokes, and a well-organized event.
“Such a great service, so well-organized.” – Native Plant Sale customer
“I appreciate the option to pick up my orders in advance or pick up at the walk in sale. If I’m short of time, I can drive through the really cool stream center.” - Monica Van der Vieren
Over 38,000 native plants were sold and distributed throughout Whatcom County! This is one of the highest number of plants sold since the sale began 32 years ago. These plants will provide year-round, colorful attractive landscaping that is easy to maintain, helps filter runoff, saves water by requiring less irrigation, provides habitat for native pollinators and wildlife. Community members at the sale were excited to share the fun spring projects planned for their new plants.
“We have some soggy areas on our property, and it is exciting to be able to plant native shrubs and trees we know will thrive there and also be good for pollinators and wildlife.” - Jen and Leslie Heron
“I am putting in a big native plant buffer along my fence lines. This will serve many purposes: an old-fashioned hedgerow, a home for pollinators and wildlife, and flowers and fragrance for me to enjoy." - Monica Van der Vieren, Native Plant Sale customer
If you missed out this year, we will be hosting another Native Plant Sale in 2026. Sign up for our monthly E-News to be the first to learn when the 2026 sale begins. If you wish you could have volunteered this year for any of our events, our volunteer sign up form will ensure you are connected.
“Every time we come to a Whatcom CD event we learn something new!” - Jen & Leslie Heron
Looking for more information on the plants you ordered? See this Plant Description Sheet and click on each species for detailed descriptions!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for either event and purchased native plants for their landscape!
Thank you to the City of Ferndale for hosting the in-person sale at Pioneer Park. Thank you to Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for allowing us to use your beautiful campus for our pick-up event.
Thank you Washington Conservation Corps members, sponsored by Whatcom County and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, for helping to package and load plants.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, including the volunteers from Washington Native Plant Society Koma Kulshan Chapter, WSU Whatcom Extension Master Gardeners, Whatcom Million Trees Project, and Ferndale Rotary club.
Thank you Fourth Corner Nursery for donating plants for kids.
Thank you to the vendors and exhibitors who joined us for the in-person sale and celebration: Tuxedo Garden, Whatcom County Noxious Weed Program, Washington Native Plant Society, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Whatcom Land Trust, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Whatcom County Public Works, Namaste Gardens, Plantas nativa, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ferndale Rotary Club, Northwest Straits Foundations, Re Sources, More Life Landscaping, Kahlon Farms Nursery, and Freeborn Metal Art.
For more details about our Annual Native Plant Sale, visit our website.
