Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery

06/12/2026

Willows are the second best plant to support butterflies and moths (after oaks). The native shrub willows work well as edge plantings in any damp or moist area. When massed, they present a fine texture. Commas, viceroys, red-spotted purples, mourning cloaks and several species of hairstreak visit willows. Currently in stock are two native shrub willows, Salix lucida (Shining Willow) and Salix sericea (Silky Willow). Both are fast growers and similar in appearance with fine textured, narrow leaves, bearing catkins in spring. If you want a larger shrub at the edge of a wet area, try to Shining Willow. Silky Willow is a moderate sized shrub good for for an average to moist garden area. Pictured are both willows and a Mourning Cloak Butterfly.

06/12/2026

We still have a robust selection of Oak trees — the number one genus of trees to benefit butterflies and moths. Oaks as a group support over 500 species of moths and butterflies. Our trees are in containers, making them easy to transport and plant.

06/12/2026

Don’t forget to water any of your newly installed plants. Even if you’ve planted a ‘drought resistant’ plant, it will need supplemental water through the first season Need some watering tips? Check out this post.

It is important to water new plantings well their first year, particularly during long, dry hot spells. Drought resistant plants will be able to tough it out once established. Watering appropriately is essential to help any plant get established. A long, deep soaking every few days will greatly help...

06/11/2026

Special Spring Hours End June 19! Starting June 20, our regular hours will resume: 9:00 to 4:00 Monday-Saturday (last checkout 4 pm). Closed on Sundays. Pictured is Lonicera sempervirens, the native honeysuckle.

06/11/2026

NEW PLANTS released today!! Here is the list:
Antennaria plantaginifolia (Mouse-eared Pussytoes)
Heliopsis helianthoides (False Sunflower)
Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (‘Magnus’ Purple Coneflower)
Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ (‘Hot Lips’ Pink Turtlehead)
Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia)
Lobelia cardinalis ‘Black Truffle’ (‘Black Truffle’ Cardinal Flower)
Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)
Pycnanthemum virginianum (Virginia Mountain Mint)
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Betula nigra ‘Dura-Heat’ (‘Dura-Heat’ River Birch)
Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)
Betula alleghensis (Yellow Birch)
Quercus alba (White Oak)
Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry)

06/09/2026

Looking For a Small Tree? Try this beauty: Aesculus pavia or Red Buckeye. 10’-20’ feet tall, 5’ – 15’ Wide. Bright red upright panicles of flowers that hummingbirds, butterflies, and spring pollinators love. Tolerates clay, and drought once established. Plant in full sun to part shade. Prefers rich, moist, acidic soil. The larval host for several moth species. Deer resistant (not deer proof 😊).

06/08/2026

Looking For a Small Tree? Try Crataegus phaenopyrum, or Washington Hawthorn. These small, spring-blooming trees are covered in white flowers in spring. Their small, red fruits are eaten by robins, cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, blue jays, and more. Growing to about 30 feet, they can be susceptible to cedar apple rust. Best grown in full sun, they will tolerate partial shade. Prefers average to moist, well-drained, fertile soils. The leaves feed swallowtail, hairstreak, and cecropia moth larvae. Tublings of this species are now in stock.

06/07/2026

Looking For a Small Tree? Tre Acer pensylvanica (Striped Maple, or Moosewood). This small tree tolerates heavy shade! Grows in dappled sunlight, no direct sunlight, or up to 6 hours of sun per day. Needs cool, moist, slightly acidic, well drained soil. This is a slow growing, single-trunk tree, reaching 15 to 30 feet. Attractive dangling flowers in spring, along with striped bark. Understory trees like Striped Maple create important nesting habitat for birds such as warblers.

06/06/2026

Looking For a Small Tree? Try Oxydendrum or Sourwood. Blooms with dangling strings of white, fragrant flowers mid-summer and provides brilliant fall color. Plant in sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil, high in organic matter; tolerates drought once established. Grows to 20’ to 30’ feet. Plant in small groups in a woodland garden, or as a specimen. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. The honey is highly sought after! Now in stock, limited quantities.

06/05/2026

Looking For a Small Tree? Try Ptelea trifoliata , or Wafer Ash -- an adaptable, low maintenance plant! Easily grown in well-drained soils in part to full shade; Tolerates full sun. Slow to medium grower. Reaches 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, with a bushy rounded habit. Use as a specimen or plant in small groups in an informal hedge or screen. The thin,papery fruits hanging in winter feed the birds and provide winter interest -- whether you watch the seeds dangle in the breeze or watch the birds feed on them! Host plant for the Giant swallowtail caterpillars-- the largest butterfly in the U.S. Currently in stock in limited quantities are the straight species, as well as the rare selection 'Aurea'. We grew both by seed. The selection Aurea sports bright chartreuse new leaves that mature into 'normal' green. Pictured is the new leaves of 'Aurea'.