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Know Before You Go: Important information about timed-entry tickets and helpful hints for your next visit.
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Events

Arbor Day Plant Sale

Shop the Arbor Day Plant Sale at The Morton Arboretum for an exciting variety of plants chosen by experts for success in your Chicago-area garden.

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The Arbor Day Plant Sale

The Arbor Day Plant Sale at The Morton Arboretum is one of the largest seasonal plant sales in the Chicago region. It offers thousands of carefully chosen plants, and expert Plant Geniuses are available throughout the sale to answer questions and suggest plants.

 

Schedule

A full 2023 Plant Sale Schedule will be available soon.

Arbor Day Plant Sale frequently asked questions (FAQ)

  • The Arbor Day Plant Sale at The Morton Arboretum is one of the largest seasonal plant sales in the Chicago region. It offers thousands of carefully chosen plants, and expert Plant Geniuses are available throughout the sale to answer questions and suggest plants.

  • Ticket information will be available soon.

  • Both the timed-entry ticket and Plant Sale ticket are combined in one barcode. Display the same barcode at the gatehouse as well as at the entrance to the Plant Sale.

  • If you’d like to come early to enjoy the Arboretum’s grounds, Plant Sale tickets will be accepted at the gatehouse up to 45 minutes ahead of your scheduled time. You will need to park elsewhere and move your car to the Plant Sale area when it’s your entry time. You are welcome to stay as long as you’d like after the sale to explore the Arboretum.

  • Due to limited space, everyone is encouraged to arrive at their entry time for the best experience. Late arrivals may need to wait to enter, based on capacity limits at the time. Ticket holders will not be able to enter until their scheduled time.

  • Timed-entry tickets provide a better entry and shopping experience. It reduces wait times at the gatehouse, moderates available parking, reduces crowding at the sale, and makes the checkout process faster and more efficient.

  • The sale has a new location in the South Farm building on the Arboretum’s Southeast Side. The area that is usually restricted to staff only will be accessible to Plant Sale ticket holders. Signs and guides will direct you to the location and parking.

  • Signs and guides will direct you to the location and parking.

  • Accessible parking will be available adjacent to the sale location. If spaces are full, please ask an attendant for assistance.

  • For large orders, please see Plant Sale staff for assistance. Plants (not people) may be shuttled to vehicles as available, or accommodation made to pull up to the site to load your order.

  • The new location provides a large, open, indoor space for safe social distancing and protection from inclement weather. There will be more space for an enjoyable and safe shopping experience.

  • Shoppers will be admitted to the sale at the time specified on their ticket. Shoppers will not be admitted early.

  • You will be admitted at or after the time specified on your ticket. However, if you arrive outside your scheduled entry time, you may be asked to wait until space in the sale building opens.

  • There is an ample plant supply. Plants will be restocked all through the sale, so every shopper will be able to choose from a rich and varied assortment of plants expertly selected by Arboretum staff.

  • Yes, members may purchase Plant Sale tickets for paid guests. Paid guests may purchase Plant Sale tickets when they are made available to the general public. Only Plant Sale ticket holders will be admitted to the sale.

  • Everyone with a Plant Sale ticket, including paid guests, may make purchases at the sale.

  • Children are welcome and will be admitted with a free ticket, alongside adult paid tickets.

  • Early Access ticket holders can browse and shop as long as they’d like.

  • We can’t guarantee where you will park, because the weekend of Arbor Day is one of our busiest times at the Arboretum. However, if needed, one of our friendly staff can assist with getting your plants back to your car, regardless of where you have parked.

  • You can request a replacement card at the Member Services Desk in the Visitor Center or by calling the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453. The fee to replace a membership card is $5. You also can use the digital membership card in our app for mobile phones.

  • The Arbor Day Plant Sale offers hundreds of species and varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, ferns, vegetables, and herbs. They are specially chosen by the Arboretum’s expert staff for Chicago-area gardens. Many are grown at the Arboretum.

  • No advance list of the plants will be available. There will be hundreds of kinds of plants to choose from. Expert Plant Geniuses will be on hand to assist you.

  • Ask for advice from one of the Plant Geniuses who will be available throughout the sale. They are Arboretum experts who will be happy to help you find the right plant. Look for people in yellow t-shirts that say “Plant Genius.”

  • All sales will be in person at the Arbor Day Plant Sale.

  • Arboretum staff members and volunteers will help you transport your plants and load them into your car.

  • The Plant Sale will accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and Arboretum gift cards. Cash or checks will not be accepted.

  • Guests may purchase tickets to the Plant Sale, which will include timed-entry admission to the Arboretum. Reciprocal program members may receive their admission benefit (two free general admissions to the Morton Arboretum) and purchase their plant sale tickets at the same time by calling the ticket line at 630-725-2066 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You can check to see if your garden membership is part of the program here: https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/

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