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The Umstead Coalition 
Celebrating Umstead State Park since 1934!

EVENT CALENDAR

Upcoming events

    • 10/16/2026
    • 9:00 AM
    • 10/17/2026
    • 5:00 PM
    • Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513)
    Register

    We're looking for volunteers to help us with our popular Fall Native Plant Sale on Oct 17! Volunteer tasks will include organizing the plants and Umstead State Park merchandise,  assisting folks buying plants and takedown.

    We have the following volunteer time slots:

    • Friday: 9am - 11:30am (perhaps longer depending on number of volunteers)
    • Saturday: 9am-1pm: Event setup, assisting shoppers
    • Saturday: 1pm-5pm: Assisting shoppers, event takedown

    We're looking for up to 30 volunteers to help make this event run smoothly.

    Location: We'll be setting up in the grassy area on the right when you pull into the Reedy Creek entrance parking lot at Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513)

    • 10/17/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513)
    Register

    For nearly 30 years, our plant sales have been a beloved Umstead community tradition. What began as a small event has grown into one of the most anticipated of the year for gardeners and Park lovers. Every spring and fall, we host sales featuring locally grown perennials, shrubs, grasses, ferns, and trees. We partner with local growers, including Umstead State Park's own Ranger Nick, to offer a diverse selection of plants native to the Piedmont region that support pollinators, birds, and the health of local ecosystems. 

    100% proceeds support Umstead State Park

    Plant List & Pricing

     4" - $10
    Conoclinium coelestinum "Blue mistflower"
    Monad didyma "Scarlet beebalm"
    Physostegia virginiana "Obedient plant"
    Pycnanthemum muticum "Clustered mountain mint"
    Solidago rugosa "Wrinkle-leaf goldenrod"
    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae "New England aster"
    Osmunda spectabilis "Royal fern"
     1 gallon - $20. Pawpaw & azalea - $25
    Amelanchier canadensis "Serviceberry"
    Asimina triloba "Pawpaw"
    Benthamidia florida "Flowering dogwood"
    Callicarpa americana "American beautyberry"
    Calycanthus floridus "Sweet shrub"
    Hamamelis virginiana "Witch hazel"
    Hydrangea quercifolia "Oakleaf hydrangea"
    Hypericum densiflorum "Bushy St. Johnswort"
    Ilex verticillata "Winterberry"
    Itea virginica "Virginia sweetspire"
    Lindera benzoin "Spice bush"
    Lyonia lucida "Fetterbush"
    Rhododendron periclymenoides "Pink azalea"
    Sambucus canadensis, "Elderberry"
    Vaccinium corymbosum "Highbush blueberry"
    Viburnum nudum "Possum haw viburnum"
    Seed packets
    Pollinator Mix 

    Early Entry for Members & Donors

    11am–noon

    Umstead Coalition members and anyone who has donated $15 or more on or after October 1, 2025 receive early entry and first pick of the plants. Not yet a member? Joining is one of the most direct ways to support the Park. Become a member or donate before the sale to ensure you get in first!

    What to Expect

    • We accept cash, card, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo
    • Bring reusable bags or boxes for transporting your plants
    • A wagon or cart is helpful if you plan to buy several plants
    • Parking is at the Harrison Ave. entrance — arrive early as the lot fills up quickly
    • Registration is not required but helps us plan

    Volunteer

    Our plant sales draw hundreds of people and we need lots of help to make them a success. If you'd like to volunteer for Friday setup or Saturday's sale, we'd love to have you. 

The Umstead Coalition

We are a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural integrity of William B. Umstead State Park and the surrounding open space.

WHO WE ARE

The Umstead Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.