Native Plant Sales Surge: Kilbourn Park Sale Highlights Climate-Resilient Gardening Trend

The Chicago Park District’s north-side greenhouse at Kilbourn Park sold more than 15,000 seedlings—including vegetables, greens, flowers, and a lineup of native species—to over 2,300 shoppers, more than double the usual attendance. Approximately one-fifth of the plants offered were native species, and the event generated $48,000, surpassing the $25,000 fundraising target for a new outdoor learning center.

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For decades the sale featured standard garden staples such as tomatoes and cucumbers. In the past five years, consumer interest has shifted toward native plants that are adapted to local climate, require less water, and support pollinators. The shift is linked to concerns about extreme heat, drought, flooding, and the decline of species such as the Monarch butterfly, whose larvae depend on native milkweed.

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Renee Costanzo, the district’s sole full-time greenhouse employee, oversaw the multi-month cultivation. Prairie Nursery president Neil Diboll reported a 7 % increase in native sales last year and now ships roughly 500,000 native plants and seeds annually. Becky Klukas-Brewer of Prairie Moon Nursery noted a 350 % sales increase over seven years, while Wild Ones development director Josh Nelson said its 107 plant sales moved over 110,000 native plants and engaged 14,000 gardening enthusiasts. Volunteers from Friends of Kilbourn Park Greenhouse, including longtime participant Lourdes Valenzuela, sorted and potted seedlings weekly, enabling the sale’s success.

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Native species need less irrigation, have deep root systems that mitigate flooding, and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, thereby enhancing ecosystem resilience amid climate change.

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The Chicago Park District confirmed the $48,000 revenue and indicated that the funds will finance the outdoor learning center. The National Wildlife Federation emphasized that native plants “need less water, less maintenance, and are incredibly resilient,” highlighting their role in flood prevention and pollinator support. Wild Ones described its plant-sale network as a primary conduit for public education on habitat restoration.

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• “We generally start these annuals at the end of February,” — Renee Costanzo, Chicago Park District

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• “I’ve watched this for 44 years, from almost zero to now,” — Neil Diboll, Prairie Nursery

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• “Native plants have been adapting to change for thousands of years,” — Tiffany Jones, National Wildlife Federation

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• “We’re not fighting against the climate here. We’re working with it because it’s what’s native to this area, and they’re beautiful.” — Lourdes Valenzuela, Volunteer, Friends of Kilbourn Park Greenhouse

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The surplus $48,000 will fund construction of the outdoor learning center, expanding educational programming on native gardening. Organizers expect the Kilbourn Park sale to remain a catalyst for regional native-plant markets, with continued growth projected for upcoming seasonal sales.

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