Friends of Wehr Native Plant Fundraiser

Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2, 2024; 10 am - 3:30 pm

Become a champion for Wehr Nature Center and the environment by purchasing native plants. Any size planting creates a wildlife oasis, connecting beneficial ecosystems that support plants, animals, and humans.


  • Why Buy Plants from the Friends of Wehr Plant Sale?
  • Cultivates healthy, safe, food-rich spaces for valuable pollinators, birds, and animals
  • Offers Southeastern WI-specific native plants from a selection larger than many local nurseries
  • Keeps nature in balance and use fewer resources through sustainable landscaping
  • Increases the productivity of your food garden
  • Creates mindful spaces that support personal health and well-being
  • Supports Wehr Nature Center and improves center habitats


Pre-order for the best chance of getting the plants you want. Pre-order forms will be available by mid-March 2024. Check the Friends of Wehr website for a pre-order form.  Plant Sale - Friends of Wehr Nature Center. We have extended the due date another day: Forms must be received by April 26, 2024 4:30 pm. We highly recommend to fill out the form as native plants sell out fast. Although if you miss the deadline you can shop in person June 1 & 2. New this year: Friends of Wehr will receive an additional shipment of plants for the in-person sale on Saturday and Sunday.


Thank you for supporting the environment and Friends of Wehr. See you at the sale on June 1 and 2.

To place a pre-order:

  1. Download the fillable PDF.
  2. Fill out your order.
  3. Save the file.
  4. Attach the file to an email and send to carol.howard@milwaukeecountywi.go no later than April 26 4:30 pm. Or you can drop it off at Wehr before April 26 4:30 pm.


Plant Sale FAQS

  • Why should I pre-order my plants?

    It gives you the best chance of getting the plants that you want and allows us to order from our vendor before their stock of plants runs out. Some items such as plug trays and pollinator packs are only available by pre-order.  And you can still shop for additional plants at the in-person sale. 

  • How do I pre-order plants?

    • Enter the number of each plant, pollinator pack, or plug tray you want in the box next to the name.
    • Return all pages of the order form, even if blank
    • Complete the order form and return to Wehr by Thursday, April 25
    • Questions on what terms like "spring ephemeral", "full sun", and others mean? Read our Glossary of Native Plant Gardening Terms
  • What is the deadline to pre-order plants?

    Pre-order forms must be received at Wehr by 4:30 pm on Thursday, April 25th. You can email the fillable PDF or a scan of your order form to carol.howard@milwaukeecountywi.gov, drop it off between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm 7-days a week, or mail it to : Friends of Wehr, 9701 W College Ave Franklin WI 53132

  • What is a plug and why do I have to buy a set of 16?

    Plugs are young plants that come in 2-inch pots. These two-year-old plants have well-developed roots but only a small amount of above-ground growth.


    Plugs are an economical way to plant a large area since they are much cheaper than more mature plants. They will take more time to produce flowers than stock in standard pots.


    Plugs are shipped in sets of 16 of the same kind of plant.

  • Will my plants bloom this year?

    Maybe, but it depends on their variety and size. Most plants will bloom in their second year after planting, but some will produce bloom in their first year. A few like white trillium may take longer to flower. 


    Keep your garden colorful by planting some annual flowers among the perennials during their first year. Choosing the right annuals will provide pollinators food while your perennials grow. 

  • What should I do to care for my new plants?

    Your new plants will need some special care through their first summer. Roots are disturbed during transplanting, causing some "shock". It is important to keep the plants watered as they recover, especially during heat and drought. 


    Mulching will help keep moisture around new plants and slows down weed growth. It is important to keep the stems of the plants free of mulch. Your native plants don not need any fertilizer. 


    Mark the locations of your plantings so you don't accidentally pull them out the next spring thinking they are weeds!


    If you have lots of rabbits or deer you may want to protect your new plants with some type of caging. 

  • Do you have any new plants for 2024?

    White Prairie Clover Dalea candida

    Prairie or Stiff Sunflower Helianthus pauciflora

    Round-headed Bush Clover Lespedeza capitata

    Rose or Golden Star Sedge Carex rosea


    Returning this year:

    White Baneberry Actea pachypoda

    Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris

    Blue Cohosh Caulophylum thalictroides

    Giant Soloman's Seal Polygonatum biflorum

    Royal Catchfly Silene regia


    Three plants that are Eastern US Natives but not classified as WI Natives are being included this year to provide native plants that meet special needs. Wehr encourages planting these plants in native gardens that are not near natural areas only.

    White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus Eurybia divarocata(new classification)

    Shade and clay tolerant with late summer flowers

    Eastern Beebalm Monarda bradburiana

    Favorite of pollinators blooming in May and June. Tolerates part shade

    Oswego Tea Monarda didyma

    Bright red pollinator favorite that also attracts humming birds. Clay tolerant and does well in part shade

Start a Pollinator Party in Your Yard

Join the effort to support pollinators. Pre-order one of our ready-to-plant kits to get your pollinator garden started.


Only available by pre-ordering before April 25th! 


A Pollinator Party Pack is a group of 16 plugs that will provide an early summer through fall progression of flowering plants that pollinators, especially bees, love, and need.


These plants are all perennial plugs, which means they are small and will not bloom the first year. They can be added to an already existing garden or used to create a new space.


Pollinator Party Packs - All plants prefer full sun to mostly sun.


Plants packs may include a variety of the following:

  • 3 late spring plants such as Prairie Smoke, Wild Geranium, Canada Anemone, and Wild Columbine
  • 9 summer plants of various colors and blooming times such as Blazing Stars, Monarda, Milkweeds, Penstemon, Spiderwort, Coneflowers, and Lobelias
  • 4 fall blooming plants such as Asters and Goldenrods


Pre-Order a Pollinator Party Pack

Some of our Favorite Native Plants

Donate a Plant to Help Nature at Wehr

We need native plants to restore natural areas where we have removed invasive species. You can help by adding a donated plant(s) to your pre-order form or making a donation at the in-person sale on June 1 & 2. By "donating" a plant to Wehr you will help fund the unique plants needed for each restored area. The bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife at Wehr will thank you (and we will too)! 

Still have questions?

Call us at 414 425-8550 or email carol.howard@friendsofwehr.org

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