The Fall Native Plant Festival

Are you a native plant novice? Expert? Somewhere in between?

Join us for the Civic Garden Center’s annual Fall Native Plant Festival on Saturday, September 6, 9am to 3pm! Whether you don’t know what a native plant is or have been growing them for years, this free, multi-vendor celebration of all things native plants is for you. You’ll be able to buy plants and get expertise from the CGC as well as the Cincinnati Nature Center, Keystone Flora, Natives in Harmony, Native Roots, Scioto Gardens, Junebug Native Plants, Wild Heart Gardens, Treeyo Permaculture, Green Living by Design and more!

The festival also includes free mini educational sessions, local organizations, live music, food and drinks, family-friendly activities and more. Want to stay in the loop? Make sure you’re signed up for our bi-monthly eNews, The Civic Gardener, and we’ll share updates as we have them!

Educational Sessions

10am: Monarchs and milkweed with Queen City Pollinator Project
10:45am: Native tree propagation and seed collection with Drew Asimus
11:30am: Moths and their native plant partners with Miami University
12:15pm: Acorn processing with Howie Zuefle
1pm: Tool sharpening demo with the CGC’s Jack Parlin

Live Music & Entertainment

We’re excited to feature several local Cincinnati-area musicians during the festival. Here’s the lineup:

10-11am: Matthew Wallenhorst
11am-1pm: The Interstate Commerce Commission Organ Quartet
1-2pm: Deej Goosey

We also have a new addition this year: MK Lebeaux! He’s a renowned clown and multi-disciplined circus performer from Columbus, Ohio, who specializes in silent, eccentric variety acts. He'll be weaving his way through the festival from 11am-2pm, imparting a lasting impression of merriment and wonder.

Food & Drinks

After you’ve picked out your plants, leave them with our free Plant Sitters service (located in the parking lot) and stay for lunch! Jenn’s Hot Tamale and Shan’s Wrap Shack & Caribbean Flavors will be on hand, and you can enjoy a cold beverage in our beer garden.