Rare plants, popular plants, knowledgeable plant advice, habitat improvement for birds and butterflies: All of that will be available at the Eastside Audubon Pacific Northwest Native Plant Sale.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at Kirkland Children’s School, 5311 108th Ave, NE, in Kirkland. It is open to the public.

On the sale grounds, more than 115 plant species will be arranged in nine zones representing typical local growing conditions. Knowledgeable sales staff will help shoppers choose plants that will thrive in every area of the garden as well as attract birds and butterflies.

“So much of Pacific Northwest native habitat has been replaced with pavement and non-native flora that wildlife needs us to restore some of the native plants,” says volunteer sale manager Geary Britton-Simmons, who has bought, grown, and dug up 3,500 plants for the sale. “Locally found birds and butterflies thrive best when they can feed upon the fruits, seeds, flowers and bugs that are found on plants and trees native to the Pacific Northwest.”

Popular plants for sale will include Western Trillium, Woods Strawberry, and Red Huckleberry. Among the most hard-to-find that Britton-Simmons has procured are Common Quamash, Tiger Lily, and unusual Black Swamp and Wild Gooseberry varieties. Plants like that just don’t turn up at commercial garden centers.

In addition to encouraging the restoration of native habitat for wildlife, the sale will raise funds for Eastside Audubon’s programs in conservation and education.

Plants, shrubs and trees will be sold in containers from 4 inches to 5 gallons, and wheelbarrows and assistance will be available to help purchasers with larger items. Checks, cash, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted.

Native plant enthusiasts may bring bona fide Pacific Northwest native plants, shrubs, and trees to donate to Eastside Audubon at the sale.

About Eastside Audubon

Eastside Audubon is the National Audubon Society chapter active in Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, and unincorporated East King County.

Eastside Audubon works to protect, preserve, and enhance natural ecosystems for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people.