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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Native Plant Sale to support Locust Grove Nature Center

Spring Native Plant Sale – Two Ways to Shop

1. Online: Sale begins May 1. Plant pick-up May 11 by appointment only.

2. In-Person Sale: May 18 and 19, 10a-2p each day

  • *NEW* Sale location: Pope Farm Nursey: 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg. Please note: Pope Farm is only open to the public during sale hours.
  • Directions (please read):
    • From MD-124/Woodfield Rd going south: Left on Airpark Rd. Pass Antares Dr. and make next right into nursery. Entrance not well-marked, slow down. It is immediately after the yellow road curve sign that says 40 MPH. Once on the nursery driveway, follow road signs to the sale.
    • From Hwy 115/Muncaster Mill Rd going northwest: Right on Airpark Rd. Road median will disappear. Make next left into nursery. Entrance not well-marked, slow down. Once on the nursery driveway, follow road signs to the sale.
  • All plants are a limited supply and are first come, first served.
  • Gates do not open until 10 am each day.
  • Cash and credit card will be accepted.  No minimum purchase requirement.
  • We recommend that you bring a bin or box for your plants.
  • Day-of concerns, contact the Naturalist on Duty 301-765-8666 
  • By Wed the week of our current native plant list will be shared below, showing what plants will be available during the In-Person Sale. Please note that the list is subject to change based on our inventory numbers.

Plant information:

Browse the available plants on ActiveMontgomery beginning April 24.

Prices including tax:

  • Quarts $7 (premium plants priced at $10)
  • Gallons $10 (premium plants priced at $13)
  • 2 Gallons $25,  3 Gallons $40, 5 Gallons $60, 7 Gallons $80
  • Trees and Shrubs – 7 gallons are pre-order only, limited trees and shrubs will be available at the live sale.
  • Note prices on ActiveMontgomery display lower prices, because they do not include tax until checkout.  This is the case on your printed receipts as well.
  • All plants are local Montgomery County ecotype unless otherwise noted. We offer a few popular cultivars and regional native species.
  • Fall is the best time to plant woody plants so they establish strong roots before spring!

Planting and care information:

  • Check that your plant choice matches your location before you order, either using the plant information provided or other helpful resources.
  • When planting, give your plants the best start by digging a hole twice the size of the pot, breaking up the bottom of the root ball, and then planting at the soil surface level to the ground while refilling under and around with a mix of the original soil and compost (we like LeafGro as a MD recycled product).
  • Be sure to pat the soil in so that it is firm but not compacted and then water in to settle the soil and fill any gaps.
  • Native plants should be watered every 2-3 days for the first 2 weeks, then every 4-5 days for the next 2 weeks and after that just when they are looking droopy.
  • Most native plants settle in quickly if planted in the right conditions and are the best for low maintenance plantings.
  • You are responsible for properly planting and caring for your plants- we recommend planting within a week of purchase and watering or checking on them daily in a partial shade location protected from wildlife while still in pots.
  • Please be aware that trees and shrubs may have some cosmetic flaws- we use Integrated Pest Management and minimal sprays or treatments as our plants are grown primarily for restoration projects where they receive minimal follow-up care and need to become wild and self-sufficient quickly.
  • We will consider a refund or exchange within a week if the plant is still in the pot and shows an issue of disease, otherwise, they leave the nursery healthy and are in your care so we hope you treat your new ‘babies’ with all the TLC that they deserve as the become homes for wildlife in your yard.

Online Plant Sale: Shopping Tips:

Sale begins May 1 at 8a and closes May 5 at midnight (unless items or pickups sell out sooner)
Pickup Date: May 11 by appointment only at Pope Farm Nursey 7400 Airpark Rd. Gaithersburg

Prepare for the sale

  • Confirm you are able to log into your ActiveMontgomery account or if you don’t yet have an account, create an account on ActiveMontgomery  (Problem with your account? Contact our help team at info@activemontgomery.org or 301.495.2580)
  • Between Friday Aug 25 and Monday Aug 28 at 8am, you can browse the list of available plants and pickup times and build a wish list (click on the three dots next to an item and select “add to wish list”). A pickup time must be included in your cart in order to check out.

Search the plant list

  • Use the keyword search field to find exactly what you are looking for. Helpful keywords may include:  shrub, tree, grass, a common name or scientific name.
  • Use the subtype sort to filter by size. For example “LGNC Native 2 Gallon” Woody plants are 3 or 5 gallon, herbaceous are quarts and gallons.

Make your purchase

  • Once the sale opens; add at least $100 worth of plants and a preorder pick-up time to your cart to complete your order
  • If you have previously created a wish list, log into your account, view “My Account” and then “wish list” to complete your purchase.
  • Due to demand and limited staffing, we are not able to make changes to orders.
  • If you have a second order – select “LGNC Preorder Pickup 2nd Order” as your pickup time. This will help us gather all your plants on your first selected pickup time.
  • A receipt for your purchase will be provided by email.
  • You will receive a follow-up email with detailed pickup instructions a couple days before pickup.
  • Arrive on time for your pickup appointment, take your new babies home, and get them planted.
  • If you didn’t get enough plants, come see us at the live sale the next weekend!