Guides

Where to Buy Native Plants in the DC & Maryland Area

The hardest part of going native is often just finding the plants — the big-box stores rarely stock true natives (and sometimes mislabel them). Here's where I actually source plants for projects around the DC area, from local nurseries to mail-order bare root.

A tip on "straight species" vs. cultivars: for the most wildlife value, look for the true native species rather than heavily bred cultivars. And ask about local ecotype stock — plants grown from regional seed — where you can. Always call ahead; native nursery hours and stock are seasonal.

Local native-plant nurseriesWorth the drive — specialists who actually know their plants.

Chesapeake Natives — Upper Marlboro, MD (Prince George's). Nonprofit, local-ecotype natives — closest to College Park.
Bona Terra — Washington, DC & Indian Head, MD. Strictly native, local genetics — one of the largest native selections in the DC area.
Herring Run Nursery — Baltimore (run by Blue Water Baltimore). Big native selection at great prices.
Earth Sangha — Wild Plant Nursery — Springfield, VA. The region's deepest source of local-ecotype natives.
Kollar Nursery — Pylesville, MD. Beautiful woody natives and unusual finds.

New nurseries open and others close — for a complete, always-current list, see the Maryland Native Plant Society nursery directory or the ChooseNatives.org map.

Plant sales & nonprofitsSeasonal, well-priced, and a great way to meet other native gardeners.

Maryland Native Plant Society — mdflora.org — sales, plant lists, and a calendar of events statewide.
Montgomery County RainScapes — County-run native plant sales (and rebates for rain gardens).
Friends of Brookside Gardens — Spring native plant sale in Wheaton/Rockville.
Wild Ones – Nation's Capital Chapter — Regional native-plant group with sales and swaps.

Mail-order & bare rootBest for bigger projects, plugs in quantity, and hard-to-find species — often the most affordable route.

Izel Native Plants — izelplants.com. An online marketplace that aggregates plugs and landscape quantities from top growers — the easiest way to order natives by the tray.
North Creek Nurseries — A premier wholesale plug grower; retail gardeners can buy their plants through Izel (above).
Prairie Moon Nursery — Ships bare-root plants and seed nationwide — fantastic value, especially for meadows and big plantings. Plants arrive dormant; tuck them in spring or fall.
Ernst Conservation Seeds — Native seed by the pound for meadow and lawn-conversion projects.

What's bare root? A dormant plant shipped without soil — lighter, cheaper, and it establishes beautifully if planted while dormant (early spring or fall) and kept watered. It's how I source many perennials and shrubs for larger jobs.

Not sure what to buy — or how much?

Sourcing the right plants in the right quantities is half the battle. A design takes the guesswork out of it — you get an exact plant list and a plan.

Get in touch to learn more