The Pollinator Gardener: Where to Buy Natives

March 18, 2022

 

The Pollinator Gardener is a recurring feature in Field Notes. 

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By Angela Sisson

Over the years I’ve purchased native plants and seeds from a wide variety of sources including small and large local and online nurseries. Though Catskill is the only local nursery mentioned, a number of other nurseries in the region have started to carry native plants and it’s worth visiting those as well. When purchasing any plants, be sure to ask if they have been treated with neonicotinoids, a type of insecticide. These chemicals are absorbed into the plant tissue and kill insects, including pollinators. Nursery staff should be able to answer this question. The nurseries listed below are my top choices.

Seeds

Seed mixes are typically used for seeded meadows. Individual species are often used for starting plants in containers.

Prairie Moon Nursery
Winona, MN 55987
https://www.prairiemoon.com/
Prairie Moon is the gold standard and has been a native seed (and plant specialist) for over four decades.

Wild Seed Project
Portland, ME 04101
https://wildseedproject.net/

Wild Seed is a great source but with a rather limited selection.

Ernst Conservation Seeds
Meadville, PA 16335
https://www.ernstseed.com/

Ernst has a wide seed selection, however, minimum orders are one pound. In the case of small or expensive seeds, this can be far more than needed.

Plants?
Plants can come in containers, as bare root, or plugs and are more expensive than seeds.

Catskill Native Nursery
 607 Samsonville Rd, Kerhonkson NY 12446
https://www.catskillnativenursery.com/
Catskill is a local nursery which has been specializing in native plants for over twenty years.

Prairie Moon Nursery (see above)
 In addition to seeds, Prairie Moon sells plugs and bare root plants.

If you’re traveling in the northeast this summer and would like to explore native plant nurseries, check this website for some ideas: https://wildseedproject.net/buy-native-plants/

For more information about the Wallkill Valley Pollinator Pathway, visit: https://wallkillvalleylt.org/pp/ or contact us at pollinators@wallkillvalleylt.org

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