FARMINGTON — The 2013 shrub brochures are available and may be picked up any time or order forms can be downloaded at www.franklincswcd.org.

The Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District has just released the 2013 Annual Shrub Sale brochure with a variety of bare root perennials, shrubs, fruit trees, berry bushes and deciduous trees. Early orders are encouraged because supplies of some varieties are limited. While orders will be accepted through April 30, the district cannot ensure availability of specific items. The pick-up date is Friday, May 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m. to noon in the barn behind the District Court building.

Planting perennials, shrubs or trees is a great way to protect the environment, according to Rosetta Thompson, FCSWCD district manager. Audubon members may get vouchers to help pay for their order for shorefront plants that will help filter stormwater run-off that pollutes lakes, rivers and other water bodies. Planting trees and shrubs can also provide shade, serve as windbreaks, and provide privacy.

Currently available are apple, crab apple and peach trees, blueberry, raspberry, and serviceberry bushes, along with herbs such as tansy, comfrey, catmint, spearmint and chives for edibles. Flowering bushes include blue wisteria, forsythia, weigelia and lilacs. Perennial offerings include yucca, purple coneflower, bleeding heart, false sunflower, painted daisy, spiderwort, primrose, astilbe and bee balm. Conifers are available in quantities of 50 or more. Orders can also be placed for pep start pills that won’t harm plants.