‘Green’ raised by Leach Gardens plant sale supports Kids Nature Fair

Take a look at what you missed, if you skipped Leach’s big spring plant sale. And, learn about the Children’s Nature Fair on May 19 right here‚

Karen Young rings up plants purchased by Chet and Reagan Orloff at the Leach Gardens plant sale.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The gym at Floyd Light Middle School was turned into a huge nursery showroom, not long ago, as the Friends of Leach Botanical Gardens held their annual spring plant sale.

“We are run by a nonprofit organization, even though the grounds are part of the City of Portland Parks system,” the garden’s executive director, Karen Young, told us. “We rely on special events and donations to support the garden and keep it going.”

At this event, Young said, they have 20 vendors who sell their plants and donate a portion of the proceeds to the organization. “But, many of the plants we sell‚ primarily those native in the Pacific Northwest, are raised in the nursery at Leach Gardens.”

Hundreds of horticultural plant-hounds scout out greenery of all kinds at the Leach Garden plant sale.

Young added that this event is the Friends’ major fund raising activity. “But more importantly, it directly represents what Leach Gardens is all about.”

Leach Botanical Garden Children’s Nature Fair
“On May 19, come to Portland’s only public botanical garden, for a day of fun and learning for the whole family,” invitedYoung.

“Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to learn about pollinators, hear wonderful storytelling prepared just for Leach Garden, make wood ‘cookies’, origami flowers, and pine cone critters. You can take part in a ‘treasure hunt’ to learn about native plants and bird species in the garden. There will be ‘Lady Bug Walks’, Slug Races, and more.”

The event runs from 10 am until 3 pm. A $1/person donation requested. For more information, call Katie at 503-761-4751 or Nancy at 503-823-1671.

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