Not-So-Secret Sources for Native Plants - updated for Spring 2024!
We can’t just stand around SINGING the JOYS of native plants without telling you
where
to
actually
GET THEM.
Large garden centers rarely carry native plants, and if they do, it’s even less likely that these plants have been grown neonicotinoid -free (more on that in an upcoming blog post - see how I held myself accountable there?)
Here is the good news!
There are several high-quality mail order nurseries specializing in native plants AND many local native plant sales - which are growing in popularity (hooray!)
Mail Order and Online Nurseries
Based out of Wisconsin, this vendor cannot be beat for their variety and quality of plants. They run a spring sale and a fall sale, but to get the most variety try to order near the beginning of the window for each sale. They provide a free catalogue, upon request – these catalogues are packed with useful information so order one and keep it for reference!
Spring sale - plants can be ordered from January to the first of June. They will ship the plants at the appropriate time for planting after your frost-free date; you don’t need to worry about keeping them alive inside your house for months before planting, which would quite an undertaking!
Fall sale – plants can be ordered from June to September 30 – plants will be shipped to be planted before the end of fall. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of this option too – native plants do quite well when planted at this time of year, and will sprout up beautifully the following spring.
Based out of Minnesota, this nursery provides a huge variety of native plants and shrubs with many unique and hard-to-find varieties. They provide bare-root plants, which can be planted at any time of year that the ground isn’t frozen. Very handy if you run out of time before frost hits!
If you do nothing else, just request a free catalog and “cultural guide”, and keep it around for reference.
This nursery runs a spring sale – with plants shipped out May through June. At this time, they don’t specify whether they ship potted plants in a fall sale and we have not tried ordering for fall shipment from them.
Bare root plants are shipped in April through May, then again in October.
Local sales and nurseries - exclusively natives
Favor Native is based in central Indiana and can speak to several of the local sales. If you are located outside central Indiana, doing a quick online search for “native plant sale in (city, state)” should turn up some options. Local universities, county parks, and fundraisers by local schools are often the leaders in coordinating sales.
Central Indiana people – read on!
Celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2019, this Fishers-based grower offers online ordering starting in February. Plants are picked up at Geist Nursery in Fishers the first weekend of May. Plants can also be purchased in-person starting that weekend.
For Spring 2021 we are excited to announce an incredible partnership with Native Plants Unlimited. Favor Native will be designing two pre-planned gardens using plants that can all be sourced from this awesome vendor. Our goal is to make growing for nature as doable as possible, with a clear and simple path to getting native plants in your yard. Pre-planned native garden designs available on-demand and 100% sourced from a single vendor will get you growing sooner!
This is Favor Native’s go-to spot for native shrubs and trees. Woody’s customer base is largely commercial landscapers, but they have started offering retail sales due to such high demand. Their selection is huge, and they have just about anything you are looking for in native “woody” species.
Please note, Woody Warehouse is not open to public browsing and shopping - you must look over the inventory online and place an order. The staff then prepares your order for pickup.
Marian University – Nina Mason Pulliam Ecolab Plant Sale
The Ecolab at Marian University is an absolute gem. Their annual native plant sale opens online for presale on April 1 each year, with order pickup the first of May during the actual live sale.
Plants are approximately $3-$5 each, a price which cannot be matched by the online and mail order companies.
All proceeds benefit the Ecolab.
This center is a part of the Avon Community School Corporation, and it is a delight. They organize community events and we highly recommend following their Facebook page for all their great science knowledge sharing.
The sale happens in early May and the plant prices cannot be beat. All proceeds benefit this wonderful Learning Center as well.
There is no presale; all plants are for sale Friday and Saturday only, so go early if possible, and stay for the fun events they host on Saturday.
Cool Creek Park and Nature Center
This nature park in Carmel offers a small selection of native flowers, shrubs, and trees. They post updates on their Facebook page, so be sure to check them out and see what’s available!
Stantec (formerly Cardno) Native Plant Nursery
This is a wonderful source for bigger projects. The variety Stantec offers is massive, and they will even develop custom seed mixes for your site for larger projects. Use their “Request a Quote” link to send a list of your plants or view their current inventory and pricing right on the website. They will ship plants or you can pick them up from their Walkerton, IN location.
Local sales and nurseries - some natives offered
Dammanns Lawn and Garden Center
This nursery is a one-stop shop for all things garden. It remains a Favor Native favorite for annuals, herbs, veggies, and trees/shrubs. They are offering more natives each year, including a large supply of Virginia bluebells in spring. Some of the natives offered are cultivated varieties (“nativars”) and not straight species, but this garden center is perfect for finding those hidden gems of plants and filling in bare spots in your garden.
There are more vendors out there, and we are constantly updating our sources. We will be updating this post as more native plant sales are vetted and hit our radar.
If you know of a source or want yours shared here, please contact us!
