Local Businesses Sell Native Plants
Spring is the perfect time of year to add plants to your landscape. When selecting plants, think native!
What is the value of having plants in your yard that are native to Virginia? And how do I know if this plant native to my region? According to the Virginia Native Plant Society, the authority on native plants, some suppliers will label a plant “native” if it naturally occurs in the United States. An example of this is Blue Spruce which grows natively in Colorado but not in Virginia. While plants such as this will grow here, they do not provide the same ecosystem services as a plant from Virginia. In other words, birds and mammals in Colorado have co-evolved with Blue Spruce so they are able to utilize the plant. Organisms in Virginia, however, do not recognize the plant, so it provides little to no wildlife support. Additionally, plants that are native to the area where planted are easier to maintain because they require less watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest-control since they are well-suited for the area.
Fortunately, we have some excellent local nurseries who can help you choose native plants that are right for your garden.
Parallel Nursery is a native plant nursery in Richmond. They are a majority woman-owned and operated nursery specializing in seed-grown native perennials from the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern USA eco-regions. They are committed to providing you plant that are: always bee-safe & pollinator friendly, seed-to-soil pledge of 100% pesticide free life cycle; they use ethical seed collectors and sources only; and finished plants are provided in a sustainable, peat-free, renewable, pine-bark medium.
Their broad selection of sustainably grown perennials allows you to create a diverse and healthy ecosystem in your garden, regardless of your landscape conditions or gardening experience. And if you need a little help with design, you can inquire about landscape design consultations at [email protected]! Visit their booth at the Lewis Ginter Spring Plantfest on Friday, May 5 & Saturday, May 6.
Seven Bends Nursery in Winchester is committed to providing lovingly curated, high quality native plants that support ecologically functional landscapes. Their plants are chosen for both their beauty and for their role is supporting the wildlife that keeps our minds peaceful and our landscapes healthy and beautiful.
Their inventory includes an assortment of native perennial flowers, trees, and shrubs important for wildlife within the Shenandoah Valley, Piedmont, and Appalachia. They grow from seed, cuttings, and plugs, and supplement with larger stock from like-minded nurseries. They practice sustainable resource use, are neonicotinoid-free, and focus on creating healthy plants that have the best chance at fighting off disease and pests. They grow pure species only, and you can purchase plants online here. You can also find them at the Native Plant Sale on May 6th at Arts Herndon Lawn in Herndon.
The New River Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society covers the counties of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski and Wythe and the towns of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and City of Radford. Native plants are those plants which have evolved over time in specific areas and with specific pollinators or wildlife that feed on them. Many agricultural crops need native insects to pollinate them. Other native plants including shrubs, vines and trees should be planted too so birds and other wildlife will eat the berries and seeds. You can visit a demonstration garden by clicking on the areas indicated on this map. They will also host a Native Plant Sale on June 10th at SEEDS Blacksburg Nature Center.
There are many chapters of the Virginia Native Plant Society throughout the Commonwealth. Visit this page to find a local chapter near you. Most have their annual native plant sales in the spring, so check out their websites and start digging!