Recreative Natives

05/28/2026

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is anything but sensitive about conditions! Although, it is typically found in moist conditions, it is one of the best performing ferns in our dry shade gardens.

Sensitive Fern has distinctive, coarsely lobed leaves of a slightly chartreuse color. A good native fern for clay soils, it grows best in partial or full shade. It is adaptable to a range of garden soils. In optimal conditions Sensitive Fern spreads quickly by rhizomes, making it an excellent ground cover. The name, Sensitive Fern, refers to the tendency of the leaves to die-back with the first frost while the fertile leaves, those producing spores, remain upright.

05/27/2026

New this week:

Little Bluestem
Shrubby St. John’s Wort 📸
Lemon Bee Balm
Scarlet Sage
Golden Alexander
Orange Coneflower
Butterfly W**d
Narrowleaf Silkgrass
Cumberland Pagoda
Clustered Mountain Mint
Pinelands Hibiscus
Garden Phlox
Ironweed

05/25/2026

Deserts aren't the only places on Earth that have cacti! Scattered around a generous portion of eastern North America grows a lovely, sun loving species of cacti known as the Eastern Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa). While seemingly out of place in many temperate regions, this interesting cactus still carries with it some of the habits of its desert dwelling relatives. Preferring full sun and sandy, dry conditions, the Eastern Prickly Pear cactus is a must have for the driest parts of your garden. From June to July, the cactus puts out some of the most stunning flowers. The yellow blooms are immediately descended upon by a myriad of different pollinator species; including beetles, bees, and butterflies. After flowering the pads produce bright red, edible fruits.
Be careful when handling this species though. A good pair of thick gloves is a must.

05/23/2026

Please avoid parking in our grassy areas today. It’s very wet and “boggy” (pun intended) and I don’t want anyone’s vehicle to get stuck.

The positive is that it’s very wet with more rain to come, which makes it a great weekend to plant!

We are open 10am-2pm today rain or shine.

📸 One of our bog containers

05/22/2026

The flowers of our Scarlet Bee Balms are too big not to share!

Did you know red, yellow, and orange are colors seen at a greater distance and speed?

You want to use these bold colors for curb appeal on a busy street or if your garden is a long distance from your window.

We are open tomorrow (Saturday) 10am-2pm. You’ve got a long weekend, let me help you design a new garden space!

05/20/2026

Oakleaf Hydrangea isn't the only native hydrangea on the block!

Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is an excellent multi-stemmed shrub that thrives in shade conditions. This 3-5’ tall deciduous hydrangea produces oval-rounded clusters of creamy white flowers. It is a lace cap hydrangea, setting it apart from the common non-native mop-heads.
After the flowers fade, they make excellent dried flowers. It looks spectacular in mass plantings but can be used as an accent specimen in the garden. Because it blooms on new wood, it can be heavily pruned to shorten height each year.
Smooth Hydrangea perform best in soils that are moist or can be irrigated during dry seasons.
The flowers attract many species of bees. We highly recommend for shady pollinator gardens!

05/18/2026

We have American Yellowwood in stock!

Native Tree Spotlight:
Cladrastis kentukea (American Yellowwood)

A graceful and often overlooked southeastern native, American Yellowwood is a medium-sized deciduous tree prized for its cascading white flowers, smooth gray bark, and brilliant fall color. It's considered one of the most beautiful native flowering trees in the eastern U.S.

🌿 Ecological Value & Wildlife Associations:
~Fragrant, pea-like white flowers bloom in dramatic hanging clusters in late spring and are a favorite of native bees and other pollinators
~Songbirds and small mammals may use the tree for nesting or cover
~Though not a major host plant, its flowers contribute to early-season nectar sources in native ecosystems

🌿 Landscape Value & Identification:
~Typically grows 30–50 feet tall, with a wide, spreading crown
~Bark is smooth and gray, often compared to beech
~Pendulous flower clusters can reach over 12 inches long, creating a stunning display in bloom years (note: trees may bloom heavily only every 2–3 years)
~Leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn, giving rise to its common name
~Prefers well-drained, rich soils and does best in full sun to partial shade
~Excellent as a specimen tree in larger gardens, parks, and naturalized landscapes

💚 Historical & Cultural Uses:
~The heartwood produces a yellow dye, historically used by Indigenous peoples and early settlers
~Its hardwood is durable and was sometimes used for gunstocks and small woodworking
~Planted as an ornamental tree since the 1800s for its beauty and adaptability

Cladrastis kentukea is a showstopper in bloom and a true four-season tree with elegant form, beautiful bark, and vibrant foliage. A great choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes and anyone looking to showcase a lesser-known native gem!

05/15/2026

Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) is aptly named for its numerous pink flowers that bloom along the plant’s upper stems throughout summer. Like other tick trefoils (legumes-beans), it fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving soil health. It has tiny hairs along its seedpods, facilitating seed distribution by passing mammals and humans.

The nectar, pollen, seeds and foliage of these species appeal to several insects, birds, and mammals. It is the host plant for multiple species of butterflies, such as the Silver Spotted Skipper (pictured).

Grown in full-part sun in dry-wet soils. Reaches 3' tall.

Come grab these while they are blooming! Open tomorrow (Saturday) 10am-2pm!

05/13/2026

Monarchs aren’t the only species who need milkweed! So do these Milkweed Tussock Moths that feed exclusively on milkweed. Their main predator are bats, feeding up the food chain.

I just made a lot of Swamp milkweed and Common milkweed available this week!

05/11/2026

Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium) matures to 4' and has white, dense, cauliflower-looking flowers. It prefers a range of soil conditions from dry-moist and grows best in full sun. Wild Quinine can be seen blooming in May through July.
The leaves have been used for tea to reduce fevers, hence the common names Wild Quinine and American Feverfew. The flowers attract bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. The beetles usually feed on the pollen, while the other insects seek nectar.