What are Oak Openings Natives? The region Toledo Botanical Garden calls home is known as Oak Openings and is famous in Ohio and abroad. It is one of the most rare and significant natural regions in the Midwest. The Oak Openings region stretches twenty-two miles, from southern Monroe County, Michigan through western Lucas County and into small parts of Fulton and Henry counties. This is but a small fragment of the original area. These areas range from wetland to prairie and host unique and rare plant communities.

What makes the Oak Openings region special?
Over 15,000 years ago, the Wisconsin glacier retreated and left ridges and sand dunes behind. Giant oak trees grew alongside tall prairie grasses, while other areas supported low-lying wetlands with grasses and sedges. One common thread between these diverse areas remains today, the layer of clay beneath the region. You can find very sandy soils often within a few feet of clay soil and everything in between. The depth of the sand over the clay varies which supports the wonderfully diverse group of plant life within the region.

What does Toledo Botanical Garden do to promote native plants?
We take great pride in being one of the few local propagators and the only retailer for the Oak Openings native plant genotype. The TBG greenhouse staff and volunteers annually supply over 10,000 native plants to local parks, landscapers, residential developers and other groups, creating and sustaining Oak Openings habitats. We will also be developing a native garden and rain garden here at TBG in 2007 that will showcase how native plants can be used to enhance your yard and preserve our environment.

Where can I find native plants to purchase?
You can do your part to help protect and preserve the Oak Openings Region by purchasing native plants for your home garden or business landscape. Plants are available at the Vintage Gardens Gallery on the grounds of Toledo Botanical Garden from mid-April through September. Please call 419-536-2617 for availability.

Native plants can also be purchased during advertised plant sales held at TBG. For special orders, please contact the Greenhouse Manager at 419-936-3012.