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Ripple Effects

Plant Dane Native Plant Program

Native Plantings and Rain Gardens have Ripple Effects on our Waters

Convert some of your lawn into a native garden this spring. Not only are native plants beautiful, but they provide important ecosystem services such as habitat for pollinators and wildlife and improved water quality. Native gardens act as sponges helping rainwater to soak into the ground preventing stormwater runoff and pollution from washing into our lakes, rivers and streams.

The Plant Dane Program provides Dane County residents access to native plants at the discounted price of $3.00/plant ($12.00/4-pack), about half the normal retail price. It's open to schools, non-profit organizations (lake and neighborhood associations, youth groups, faith centers, clubs, etc.), municipalities and individual residents in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Dig into Rain Gardens- 1:1 Coaching Sessions (Mar. 2nd)
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Now Accepting Plant Dane Orders and Donations
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Order Plants

2025 orders will open in Feb. 1st, 2025.

NOTE: Plant orders will be accepted through March 18th (or while supplies last up to 35,000 plants sold).

The order process is simple:

  1. Review the 2025 Plant Dane Native Species List and make note of which plants you'd like to order (especially their Latin name, as this is how they are listed on the order form).

  2. Place your order using the Plant Dane Order System. Plants are sold in packs of four (minimum order of 16 plants), and pre-selected plant garden kits come in packs of 16 or 32. 

  3. Participants must pick up plants on Saturday, May 17th during assigned pick up times (see the Pickup Details tab for more details). Please arrange to have a relative, friend, or neighbor pick up plants, if you aren't available.

Pricing:

  • Individual Plant Species (4-Pack) - $12.00 ($3.00/plant)
  • Plant Kit w/ 16 Plants - $44 ($2.75/plant)
  • Plant Kit w/ 32 Plants - $88 ($2.75/plant)

Donate Plants

Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept. will start accepting donations to provide native plants for community and school projects through our Free Native Plants for School and Community Projects Program on Feb. 1st. Consider a donation to purchase plants that support a local community/school native garden project. It’s easy, just click on DONATE, select a project from the pull down menu and the number of plants you wish to donate. Plants donations must be made in set of 4 (4 plants ($12), 8 plants ($24), 12 plants ($36)….). The cost of plants will simply be added to your order total. Plant donation recipients will select the plants from species list that best suit the needs of their specific project. Deadline to donate is March 18th.

2025 Free Native Plant Projects

Pickup Details

 All plants must be picked up on Saturday, May 17th from the Dane County Parks Building during your assigned pick up time. Assigned pick up times are listed your order receipt and will be between 8am and 2pm. Please arrange to have a relative, friend, or neighbor pick up plants, if you aren't available.

Pick-up Location:

Dane County Parks Building
4212 Robertson Rd.
Madison, WI 53714

Garden Planning

Are you interested in incorporating native plants into your landscaping, but aren't sure where to start? Well, you've come to the right place. First, you'll want to decide what type of native garden you'd like to plant. Then, you'll want to select your plants, and finally, you'll want to order them. Let's get started! 

What type of garden?

There are three primary types of gardens that feature native plants: rain gardens, downspout gardens, and native gardens.

  • Rain gardens are shallow depressions often covered with native plants that collect stormwater runoff from roofs, parking lots, and other hard surfaces and allow it to slowly soak into the ground. If you are interested in signing up for a one-on-one coaching session with a rain garden expert, check out the upcoming event on March 2, 2024, Dig into Rain Gardens- 1:1 Coaching Sessions with the Experts.
  • Downspout gardens are planted near the outlet of the downspout. They have compost mixed into the soil and native plants with deep roots to help roof runoff slowly soak into the ground.
  • Native gardens are planted with species that are naturally occurring in the area. Once established, native plants don’t require watering, fertilizers, or other chemicals, making them a great option for a low maintenance garden. They also provide habitat for wildlife and help stormwater soak into the ground, protecting our waters.

Apply for Free Plants

The Spring 2025 application for free native plants for school and community projects is now available. To apply or learn more, visit the program website. Applications are due by January 31. 

Helpful Resources