by Maureen Sundberg
A few months ago, ELA posed the question “What’s your favorite source for native plants?” A lively discussion on LinkedIn generated a list of favorite sources for native plants throughout the country – from Octopus Agave (Agave vilmoriniana) in Arizona to cut-leaved coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) in Michigan to Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) in central Texas.
Many contributors offered not only a favorite nursery or seed supplier, but additional advice as well.
“Always insist on plants that are nursery propagated. Plants that are dug from the wild just deplete native populations.
“Buy locally grown.”
“Check out Native Plant Societies for each state.”
Thanks to everyone who offered advice or the name of a nursery. While this is in no way a complete list, below you’ll find a selection of your choices. If you haven’t yet listed your favorite, you can still join the discussion:
Arizona
Glendale, Mountain States Wholesale Nursery, http://www.mswn.com/
Tucson, Desert Survivors, www.desertsurvivors.org
California
Elk Grove, Cornflower Farms, www.cornflowerfarms.com
Escondido and Santa Margarita, Las Pilitas, www.laspilitas.com
Petaluma, North Coast Natives, www.northcoastnativenursery.com/
Richmond, Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, www.anniesannuals.com
San Francisco, Bay Natives Nursery, www.baynatives.com
San Juan Capistrano,Tree of Life, www.treeoflifenursery.com
Santa Barbara, San Marcos Growers, www.sanmarcosgrowers.com
Woodside, Yerba Buena Nursery, www.yerbabuenanursery.com
California Native Plant Link Exchange, www.cnplx.info/
Connecticut
Hamden, Broken Arrow Nursery, www.brokenarrownursery.com
Woodbury, Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery, www.earthtonesnatives.com
Delaware
Hockessin, Mt. Cuba Center, www.mtcubacenter.org
Florida
Homestead, Casey’s Corner, (305) 248-7284
Lutz, Hollies Farm & Garden Center, www.gohollies.com/Plants.html
Tampa, Treemart, www.treemart.com
Other Florida resources:
For a list of native plant providers: www.floridagardener.com/FLNatives/NPS.htm
For a list of water-wise plants: St. Johns River Water Management District, www.sjrwmd.com
Illinois
Leland, Pizzo Native Plant Nursery, www.pizzo.info/nursery/
St. Charles, Midwest Groundcovers, www.midwestgroundcovers.com
Iowa
Harpers Ferry, The Ion Exchange, Native Wildflowers & Prairie Plant Nursery, www.ionxchange.com
Maine
Biddeford, Pierson Nurseries, www.piersonnurseries.com
Swanville, Fernwood Nursery & Gardens, (207) 589-4726
Waterville, Fedco, www.fedcoseeds.com
Maryland
Perry Hall, American Native Plants, www.americannativeplants.net
St. Michaels, Environmental Concern, www.wetland.org
Massachusetts
Amherst, New England Wetland Plants, www.newp.com
Carlisle, Blanchette Gardens, http://www.blanchettegardens.com/
Framingham, New England Wild Flower Society, www.newfs.org
*Gill, Sudbury Nurseries West, http://www.sudburynurserieswest.com
Housatonic, Project Native, www.projectnative.org
Sandwich, F.W. Schumacher Company (sells seeds), www.treeshrubseeds.com
South Dartmouth, Blisscapes Nursery, www.blisscapes.com/index.html
Southampton, Tripple Brook Farms, www.tripplebrookfarm.com
Wayland, Weir Meadow Nursery, (508) 358-4905
Whately, Nasami Farm, www.newenglandwild.org/visit/native-plant-nurseries
Additional Resources: Grow Native Massachusetts (formerly Grow Native Cambridge), www.grownativecambridge.org/resources/nurseries
Michigan
Portland, Michigan Wildflower Farm, www.michiganwildflowerfarm.com
Missouri
Belton, Prairie and Wetland Center, www.critsite.com
New Hampshire
*Deerfield, Van Berkum Nursery, www.vanberkumnursery.com
New Jersey
Bridgeton, New Moon Nursery, www.newmoonnursery.com
Columbus, Pinelands Nursery,www.pinelandsnursery.com
New York
Canandaigua, White Oak Nursery, www.whiteoaknursery.biz
Kerhonkson, Catskill Native Nursery, www.catskillnativenursery.com
Montauk, Fort Pond Native Plants, www.nativeplants.net
Springwater, Amanda’s Garden, www.amandagarden.com
Oregon
Dayton, Native Habitat Nursery, nativehabitatnursery.com/native_plants.html
Pennsylvania
Landenberg, North Creek Nurseries, www.northcreeknurseries.com
Octoraro, Kirkwood, www.octoraro.com
Meadville, Ernst Conservation Seeds, www.ernstseed.com
Orefield, Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, www.edgeofthewoodsnursery.com
South Carolina
Aiken, Woodlanders, www.woodlanders.net
Tennessee
Nashville, Nashville Natives Nursery, www.nashvillenatives.com
Texas
Austin, Native Texas Nursery (wholesale), www.nativetx.com
Georgetown, Mcintires Nursery, www.mcintiresgarden.com
South Austin, Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, recommends native plants by state, www.wildflower.org
Virginia
Toano, Pinelands Nursery & Supply, www.pinelandsnursery.com
Wisconsin
Waukesha, Prairie Frontier, www.prariefrontier.com
Westfield, American Natives, www.american-natives.com
Other Resources:
For a list of native nurseries in all 50 states: www.plantnative.org/index.htm
*ELA member
About the Author
Maureen Sundberg edits the ELA newsletter from her home in Andover, MA where she also practices sustainable gardening.
