Where to Find Eastern Shore Native Plants

EASTERN SHORE, Va. — As spring planting season gets underway, gardeners across the Eastern Shore of Virginia looking to use native plants have several local options. Native plants are increasingly popular for their ability to support wildlife, improve resilience, and thrive in coastal conditions with less maintenance.

Below is a list of Eastern Shore providers carrying native plants, including both retail garden centers and wholesale nurseries.

Retail Native Plant Providers

Hortco Garden Center and Nursery
Onley, VA
(757) 787-7022
In-store shopping available

Grizzard Farms and Nurseries
22643 Bayview Circle, Cape Charles, VA
In-store shopping available

Thomas Gardens
New Church, VA
(757) 824-3610
In-store shopping available

Wholesale Native Plant Nurseries

Eastern Shore of Virginia Nursery
Melfa, VA
(757) 787-4732

David’s Nursery
Exmore, VA
(757) 442-7000

Tankard Nurseries
Exmore, VA
(757) 442-6112

Tidewater Growers
Keller, VA
(757) 787-4079
Specializes in plants for natural restoration projects, including upland and wetland woody plants and seeds, as well as Atlantic White Cedar restoration.

Tips for Buying Native Plants

The Virginia Native Plant Society encourages gardeners to ask several key questions when purchasing native plants:

• What is the source of this plant?
• Is this plant native to my specific region?
• Was this plant grown from local stock or does it have a local origin?
• Am I gardening near a natural area or planning a restoration project?

Using locally sourced native plants helps support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while maintaining the ecological integrity of the Eastern Shore.

Gardeners can also explore additional providers through the Virginia Native Plant Society directory and learn more at:
https://vnps.org/conservation/faq/

With warmer weather arriving, local experts say now is an ideal time to incorporate native plants into gardens, landscapes, and restoration efforts across the Eastern Shore.

Visitors today will find Willow Oaks a great place to see native plants for pollinators.

Location:
32205 Seaside Road, Cape Charles VA 23310

ES native plants of note at this site include:
Asclepias syriaca – Common Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly-weed
Baptisia tinctoria – Yellow Wild Indigo
Chrysopsis mariana – Maryland Golder Aster
Hibiscus moscheutos – Swamp or Eastern Rose-mallow
Monarda fistulosa – Bergamot
Oenothera fruticosa – Narrow-leaf or Southern Sundrops
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium – Narrow-leaf Mountain-mint
Rudbeckia hirta – Black-eyed Susan
Sisyrinchium angustifolium – Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass

About the Author

Wayne Creed

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