By Master Gardener Jane Wentworth

Happy New Year!

It is time again for our Annual Native Plant Sale. The sale is scheduled for March 12, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Islands.

Now is the time to think about what to plant in late winter and early spring as we pour over plant and seed catalogs. This year’s sale offers 20 species of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials including favorites like Red Flowering Currant, Evergreen Huckleberry and some new and noteworthy additions like Pacific Bleeding Heart, Licorice Fern, and Blue Elderberry.

Some species have been selected particularly for being somewhat drought tolerant. Native plants are beautiful in the garden and landscape, are beneficial for wildlife, and improve habitat and plant diversity. Once established, native plants tend to require less maintenance and fertilizers than other landscape plants.

The sale on San Juan Island will be at the Fairgrounds in Friday Harbor, the Orcas Island Grange, and at Sunset Builders on Lopez. All are invited that day to visit our Native Plant and Gardening Expo sponsored by the San Juan Conservation District. We are working again with the San Juan Conservation District this year to present a Native Plant Workshop prior to the plant sale.

This free workshop will be open to the public and is co-sponsored by the San Juan Conservation District and the San Juan Master Gardener Foundation. The date and time will be determined, stay tuned for details! Plant quantities are limited, so order now.

The deadline for pre-orders is March 1. See order forms on the San Juan Master Gardener’s new website at www.mgfsjc.org for a complete list of plants and descriptions. This year islanders can either order online or print out and mail in your order.

For more information and the entire list of plants, to order online or print an order form, visit their website or call WSU Extension at 378-4414.