STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting another native plant sale, and this year’s selection includes trees, shrubs, grasses, ferns, wildflowers and wildlife/bird houses.

Plants have been chosen that can provide benefits to small yards up to big fields. Many of the species offered this year not only will bring hummingbirds, pollinators and songbirds to your backyard, but can also be utilized as food sources or to make soaps and candles.

Since 2019, the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District has taken a new approach to the traditional soil and water seedling sale by offering rare, unique, and unusual trees and shrubs in two- and three-gallon pots that provide major ecosystem benefits. All species are native to the Ohio Valley or immediate region, which makes them easy to grow and they will not be dependent on chemicals and fertilizers.

“When choosing species of plants to be offered at this year’s sale, we looked for plants that were once common to the area and provide great ecological benefit to the flora and fauna of the region,” said Aaron Dodds, project manager for the district. “So many species of bees, butterflies and song birds rely on a specific plant to raise their young and provide food and habitat and many of these species were lost with development or because they did not have direct economic benefits to landowners. Additionally, we want to offer plants that are hard to find and will complement the selections found at local greenhouses.”

He said as the trees, shrubs, and wildflowers are established in pots with a good root system the chances of survival and little to no transplant shock is higher, providing buyers with healthier trees that establish quicker.

“It is the goal of soil and water to provide the best species out there that will thrive on your property and bring a variety of ecological benefits to the wildlife, land, and crops on your land,” he said. “Each year we scour the eastern United States looking for the best nurseries with the best stock, so that only the best plants with the best value are provided.”

Some of the highlights of this year’s sale include:

• Fruiting species: American plum, persimmon, black huckleberry, lowbush and highbush blueberries and blackhaws.

• Flowering species such as flowering dogwood, redbud, alternateleaf dogwood, beautyberry, steeplebush and buttonbush that bring great aesthetic appeal all year.

He said winged sumac, red chokeberry, snowberry, red maple, sweetgum and American larch also create a vivid palette of color in the fall, while the aromatic sweet birch will fill its surrounds with the scent of wintergreen and the American hazelnut will bring a wonderful spice to the landscape.

This year, new herbaceous plant offerings will be available to purchase: Hummingbird-attracting cardinal flower and red columbine offers great nectar choices. New York aster, brown-eyed Susans, and cutleaf coneflower bring fall blooms, while foamflower and wild ginger create a great beneficial groundcover.

Mountain mint, dense blazing star liatris and foxglove beardstongue will bring a host of pollinators to the landscape.

“When you read the histories of the area many of the plants were foundational blocks to the settlement of the area,” Dodds said. “The Mingo utilized many of the plants for shelter, fencing, food, and medicine. One story which can be found in our catalog tells of how one stream in Jefferson County had so many plums along it that once they grew ripe and fell, the stream would run with plums, which is how Plum Run got its name.”

“So many of the species are rare or uncommon and shouldn’t be. Pink mulygrass adds great texture and color and cutleaf coneflower is a magnet for pollinators. While red chokeberry and red osier dogwood bring great color to the fall landscape and provides food for so many of the songbirds we love.”

Dodds said trees and shrubs range from $20 to $30 dollar, based on size. All come in either two- or three-gallon pots and are roughly 3 feet tall. He said all herbaceous material comes in quart size pots and are $10.

Orders will be accepted through May 3. Pickup will be May 9 and 10 at the Tower building, 500 Market St. Some plants may still be available for purchase on pick-up days.

Proceeds go toward next year’s sale and the Quaker Ridge property in Richmond and Hellbender Preserve in Unionport.

For full descriptions of all the plants, pick up a catalog at the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District Office, 500 Market St., Steubenville, or view the catalog and place online orders at jeffersonswcd.org.