Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers for Streamside Conservation Buffers

Introduction

This fact sheet lists potential sources of native plant materials for reducing streambank erosion and establishing riparian buffers along streams and rivers. This list is created as a convenience for Virginia landowners and does not constitute commercial endorsement by Virginia Cooperative Extension of any organizations or businesses listed here.

Be sure to reach out to a native plant nursery in advance of ordering or visiting to confirm plant availability, hours, and other information on shipping and order minimums. Nursery staff are also good resources for information on native plant establishment and care. When shopping for native seed mixes, it’s important to scrutinize species lists to ensure only appropriate native species are included within a mix, and to further specify that no substitutions may be made using “equivalent” species without prior consultation.

Importance of Native Plants

Native plants are species that occur naturally in an ecosystem and interact with other native plants and animals. Their presence is not the result of recent human introductions. Conversely, non-native or exotic plants are not native to an ecosystem. Non-native species were intentionally or accidentally introduced by people and may cause ecological and/or economic harm. Reliable county-level native status for Virginia can be found using the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora. It is important to note that species native to one Virginia county are likely native to other nearby counties with similar growing conditions, even if those species are not listed in the Atlas. Other resources to identify species native to an area are available from Homegrown National Park. Riparian buffers should be planted exclusively with plants native to the region (e.g., the state). Local ecotypes of native plants may be available. These plants may be better adapted to the local environment, but using local ecotypes is less important than using species native to the region.

Native plants provide many ecological benefits. One key benefit of native plants is that they provide habitat for additional native species, including bees, butterflies, and songbirds (Figure 1; Ingram 2022). Riparian ecosystems containing more native species reliably provide important benefits (e.g., pollination, clean water) (Brittingham & DeCecco 2025). They are more resilient to invasive species than ecosystems with fewer native plant species. When invasive plants displace native plants, populations of native insects and other animals dependent on these species decline as well (DCR 2021).

Another benefit of native plants is that they are well-adapted to the local environment. Once established in an area, they require less watering, fertilizer, and pest management than non-native plant options, thereby saving landowners time and money (DCR 2021).

Selecting Plant Materials

There are several types of planting stock available, as described below:

Containerized Seedlings: Many species of native plants may be purchased in containers of various volumes, including tubelings (<2 years old) and larger 1-gallon containers holding trees with a well-developed root ball (Roquemore et al. 2014). Containerized plants are more expensive than other options but may be more suitable for dry or hard-to-establish sites (Fox et al. 2005) or sites where more rapid restoration is desired.

Bare-root Seedlings: Many species of trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, and wildflowers may be purchased as bare- root seedlings. These plants are up to 1 year old and have healthy root systems, but are lifted and transported without soil (Fox et al. 2005). More economical than containerized seedlings, bare-root seedlings are commonly used in riparian buffer plantings. Still, it is imperative that bare-root seedlings be kept moist and planted as soon as possible during an appropriate season (e.g., fall or spring) to facilitate root establishment and growth in the new soil environment (Goyette et al. 2014).

Seeds: Seeds of wetland sedges, rushes, grasses, and wildflowers can be broadcast directly onto the soil in the fall, winter, or spring. Because of the dynamic nature of riparian environments, seeds should be used in locations with low slopes and little risk of runoff or flooding. In areas that frequently flood, such as streambanks, seeds should be lightly mulched with straw and then covered with coir fiber erosion control mats that are held in place with wooden stakes. Seed mixes are significantly slower to yield mature plants than the options above, but may be used in conjunction with other planting methods.

Native Plant Suppliers

Contact information for retail suppliers of native plants and seeds in and close to Virginia is provided below.

Virginia

Earth Sangha (www.earthsangha.org/wpn) is located in Springfield. Established under an agreement with the Fairfax County Park Authority, Earth Sangha produces plugs and pots for over 250 native species, all grown from local seed sources.

Local Ecotype Richmond Natives (www.lern-rva.org) offers a variety of containerized native wildflowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs grown from seed collected within 60 miles of Richmond.

Southern Branch Nursery (southernbranchnursery.com) is located in Chesapeake and serves clients in Virginia and northeast North Carolina. They offer a significant breadth of native plants, including sedges, rushes, vines, ferns, trees, and shrubs, as well as a variety of consultation services.

Draper Springs Nursery & Gardens (www.drapersprings.com) is based in Draper and sells potted native plants, including local and regional ecotypes. They can be found at the Blacksburg Farmers Market for in-person sales. To reduce plastic waste, this nursery utilizes compostable pots and accepts pots back from customers.

Hummingbird Hill Native Plant Nursery (https://www.hummingbirdhillnatives.com/) serves the Charlottesville area. Open by appointment, they offer local ecotypes of native plants and consultation services.

Seven Bends Nursery (https://www.sevenbends.org/) is located in Berryville and sells native potted perennials, including wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, trees, and shrubs, grown without neonicotinoids. They also offer design and consultation services.

Wood Thrush Natives (woodthrushnatives.com) is located in Floyd. They sell potted native plants grown without neonicotinoids, including rare and hard-to-find species.

The Natural Garden (www.thenaturalgarden.net) is located in Harrisonburg. They can be found at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and have plant sales twice a year online.

Maryland

Herring Run Nursery (herringrunnursery.bluewaterbaltimore.org) is located in Baltimore. Offering over 250 containerized (1 qt. - 7 gal. volumes) plants native to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, this nursery is a part of the environmental nonprofit Blue Water Baltimore. Online orders must be picked up at the nursery.

Chesapeake Natives (www.chesapeakenatives.org/) is a volunteer organization based in Rosaryville State Park. They offer containerized plants native to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Plants can be purchased in person several times a year, or online, with multiple pickup locations in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Arlington, VA.

Adkins Arboretum (www.adkinsarboretum.org/nursery/) is located on the eastern shore of Maryland in Ridgely. In addition to offering a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, grasses, and vines, they also have an arboretum open to visitors. Online sales, with scheduled pickups, are available in the spring and fall.

Clear Ridge Nursery (www.clearridgenursery.com) is located in Union Bridge. They offer trees to wholesale customers and homeowners, but have no onsite shopping. The species list is posted online, but customers must call for pricing and orders. Scheduled pickup and delivery options are available.

North Carolina

Piedmont Plants (piedmontplants.com) is located in Rural Hall, near Winston-Salem. They specialize in plants native to the North Carolina Piedmont, and many of their plants are grown from locally collected seed.

Carolina Native Nursery (www.carolinanativenursery.com) is located in Burnsville, near Asheville. They offer a variety of native plants, including native azaleas and rhododendrons, for wholesale and retail purchases.

Deep Roots Natives (deeprootsnatives.com) is located in Durham. They offer native perennials, including grasses and sedges, as well as shrubs and trees, and provide retail and in-house design consulting services.

West Virginia

Appalachian Headwaters Native Plant Nursery (appheadwaters.org/program/native-plant-nursery) is a nonprofit located in Lewisburg. They offer containerized herbaceous and woody plants sold in compostable pots for local pickup or regional shipping.

Native Seed Suppliers

Mellow Marsh Farm (mellowmarshfarm.com/native-seed-mixes) is a native seed supplier based in North Carolina. The riparian buffer mix is most suitable for use on streambanks. They also offer live stakes and bare-root seedlings. Mellow Marsh Farms has a minimum ($100) order and there is no onsite shopping.

Ernst Seeds (www.ernstseed.com/product-category/riparian-sites/?_product_type=seed-mix) is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Ernst Seeds offers a wide variety of seed mixes that are designed for riparian buffers.

Bona Terra (bonaterradc.com) is based in Washington, DC. Their sales are entirely online, with both delivery and in-person pickup options in D.C. and Indian Head, MD. They sell limited amounts of local ecotype seeds, as well as container plants from small plugs to gallon-sized plants.

Roundstone Native Seed (roundstoneseed.com) is located in Upton, Kentucky. They ship their regionally adapted ecotypes anywhere in the U.S. They offer seed for over 300 native species as well as 125 seed mixes, including riparian mixes. The website provides helpful filters for selecting species and seed mix.

Websites Listing Native Plant Suppliers & Other Resources

Mid-Atlantic

The Plant Native (theplantnative.com/resources/native-plant-nurseries) provides native plant nurseries and other resources for multiple regions of the United States, including the Mid-Atlantic.

Choose Natives (https://choosenatives.org/) lists nurseries that sell only native plants and are located in the Mid-Atlantic region. They also list resources for invasive plant management.

Virginia

Virginia Native Plant Society (vnps.org/native-plant-nursery-list) lists Virginia-based nurseries that sell responsibly propagated native plants.

Plant NOVA Natives (https://www.plantnovanatives.org/native-only-sellers) lists native plant suppliers in the Northern Virginia area, as well as both free and hired landscape help.

Plant Virginia Natives (www.plantvirginianatives.org/plantswvanatives/where-to-buy) lists local and regional nurseries in Southwest Virginia and beyond.

Fairfax County Soil & Water Conservation District (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water- conservation/sites/soil-water-conservation/files/assets/documents/native-plant-nursery-list-cblp- 2019.pdf) provides a list of native plant nurseries, including relevant specialties.

Maryland

Maryland Native Plant Society (mdflora.org/nurseries.html) provides an interactive map with information and locations of native plant sellers in Maryland and adjoining states.

Nuts for Natives (www.nutsfornatives.com/where-to-buy-native-plants) is a website created by a former Maryland Secretary of the Environment who is passionate about restoration. Nuts for Natives lists native plant nurseries and landscapers that serve Maryland and nearby states. This website also offers information such as native plant “shopping tips” and native plant alternatives to non-native species.

North Carolina

North Carolina Native Plant Society (ncwildflower.org/native-plant-nurseries) provides an interactive map of nurseries that supply native plants.

NC State University Extension (rrs.cnr.ncsu.edu/resource-library/native-plants/nurseries-with-native- plants) lists businesses, including nurseries and landscapers, which offer or work with native plants.

UNC Botanical Garden (ncbg.unc.edu/2019/08/09/recommended-sources-for-native-plants) lists nurseries that sell native plants in the Southeast and includes an interactive map.

West Virginia

West Virginia Native Plant Society (www.wvnps.org) provides resources on native plants in West Virginia.

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (wvdnr.gov/native-plants-sources) provides a list of nurseries, both within and outside West Virginia, that sell native plants.

Resources for Selecting and Establishing Native Streamside Plants and Seeds

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Landowner Guide to Buffer Success (https://jamesriverconsortium.org/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Landowner-Guide-to-Buffer-Success.pdf)

James River Consortium Riparian Buffer Maintenance and Tips (https://jamesriverconsortium.org/wp- content/uploads/2022/03/Riparian-Buffers-maintenance-and-tips.pdf)

Plant NOVA Natives (https://www.plantnovanatives.org/native-only-sellers) lists native seed suppliers, plant suggestions for different interests, and growing information.

Upper and Middle James Riparian Consortium Which Tree Should I Plant? A Guide for Selecting Riparian Trees and Shrubs in Virginia (https://jamesriverconsortium.org/landowner-resources/plant- guide/)

US Department of Agriculture Guide to Understanding Seed Tags (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/ndpmctn12317.pdf)

References

Brittingham, Margaret C. and Jennifer A. DeCecco. 2025. “Riparian Buffers for Wildlife.” Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/riparian-buffers-for-wildlife

Fox, Amanda, Tom Franti, and Mike Kucera. 2005. “Planning Your Riparian Buffer: Design and Plant Selection.” University of Nebraska Extension Publication G1557. https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1557/

Goyette, Bernard, Marlène Piché, Michael Brownbridge, and Darby McGrath. 2014. “Impact of Handling Practices on the Quality of Bare-Root Plants : A Review 1” 32 (June): 103–12.

Ingram, Bruce. 2022. “Help the Bees, Butterflies, Bucks, and Bears: Create a Pollinator Plot.” Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. 2022. https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/help-the-bees-butterflies-bucks-and- bears-create-a-pollinator-plot/.

Roquemore, Jacqueline D., Herman W. Hudson, Robert B. Atkinson, and James E. Perry. 2014. “Survival and Growth of Seven Tree Species from Three Stocktypes Planted in Created Wetlands in Loudoun County, Virginia.” Ecological Engineering 64 (March):408–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLENG.2014.01.001.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. 2021. “Benefits of Native Plants.” 2021. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/benefits.

Glossary of Terms

Ecosystem – A community of living organisms that interact with each other and the physical environment.

Ecotype – A distinct group of a species that is adapted to a specific local area.

Native – Species that are found naturally in an area and have evolved alongside other native species without human intervention.

Neonicotinoids – A class of insecticides that target the central nervous system of insects, can persist in soil and water, and are toxic to beneficial insects.

Non-Native – Species that are not typically found in an area and have been introduced by humans, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Riparian Buffer – Vegetated strips of land that are adjacent to water. The vegetation serves to filter contaminants, prevent erosion, and regulate flow.