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Browse deer-resistant New England native plants selected for gardens with heavy browsing pressure. > Deer Resistant > Let’s face it, the concept of deer resistance can make the most seasoned gardener shake their head. If deer get hungry enough, they will eat just about anything, and it is quickly becoming one of the more dire ecological issues in our area. The plants on this list have been known to withstand deer browsing, few will be largely ignored entirely. The caveat, as always, is that the resistance is not always consistent in different locations. What works for some, may not for others. We highly recommend protecting young plants, as they are more likely to withstand browsing when they are fully grown. Further Reading PDF: "Deer Tolerant Resistant Plants" , Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, PA book: "Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast", by Ruth Rogers Clausen and Gregory D Tepper PDF: "Deer Resistant Native Plants" , New England Wildflower Society, (now Native Plant Trust) What to Plant: Deer Resistant Native Plants

Curated book recommendations on New England native plants, ecology, pollinators, and sustainable gardening practices. Book Recommendations Looking for your next great read? These are some of our team’s favorite books on native plants, wildlife, garden design, and ecological landscaping. Whether you’re just getting started or digging deeper into the science, these titles will inspire, educate, and support your native plant journey. Plant Identification and Education Native Plants for New England Gardens Mark Richard son and Dan (Jaffe) Wilder Native Plants for New England Gardens culls the expertise of the New England Wild Flower Society to help anyone create lovely, hardy gardens that will tolerate drought, resist disease and encourage biodiversity. The Northeast Native Plant Primer Uli Lorimer, Native Plant Trust Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our Northeast region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment—from reducing maintenance tasks to attracting earth-friendly pollinators such as native birds, butterflies, and bees. In The Northeast Native Plant Primer, native plant expert Uli Lorimer of the Native Plant Trust makes adding these superstar plants easier than ever before, with proven advice that every home gardener can follow. This incomparable sourcebook includes 225 recommended native ferns, grasses, wildflowers, perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees. Native Tr ees for Northeast Landscapes Wild Seed Project For those wanting to make positive environmental change, this guide demonst rates the why, what, and how of p lanting native trees to rewild our landscapes. _________________________________ _____________________ _____________________ ________________ _____ Edible Native Plants Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten Russ Cohen This guidebook fo cuses on edible plants that can easily be found throughout Essex County (and most of New England, for that matter). _________________________________ ___________________ _____________________ ________________ _______ Nature Bringing Nature Home Doug Tallamy IndieBound.com Timberpress.com Amazon.com Everyone with access to a patch of earth can make a significant contribution toward sustaining biodiversity by simply choosing native plants. By acting on Douglas Tallamy's practical and achievable recommendations, we can all make a difference. ______________________________________________ _____________________ ____________________ _________ Insects Common Native Bees of Eastern United States Heather Holms Bees are beloved garden visitors and are essential to a healthy ecosystem. We welcome their arrival and celebrate their vital work as pollinators, supporting the growth of flowers, plants, and trees. If you see bees in your area, keep this convenient guide close at hand. Designed for ease of use, the tabbed booklet is organized by family and genus. Narrow your choices by group, and view just a few bees at a time. The professional photographs showcase 160 species—including bee look-alikes, such as beetles, hoverflies, and wasps. Pollinators of Native Plants Heather Holms A comprehensive book illustrating the specific relationships between native pollinators, beneficial insects, and native plants. Organized by plant communities, the book profiles over 65 perennial native plants (includes the Northe ast region) and the pollinators, beneficial in sects and flower visitors the plants attract. The Pollinator Victory Garden Kim Eierman IndieBound.com Amazon.com Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening; Attract and Support Bees, Beetles, Butterflies, Bats, and Other Pollinators _____________________________________________ _____________________ ___________________ ___________ Garden Design The Living Landscape Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy IndieBound.com Timberpress.com Amazon.com You’ll learn the strategies for making and maintaining a diverse, layered landscape—one that offers beauty on many levels, provides outdoor rooms and turf areas for children and pets, incorporates fragrance and edible plants, and provides cover, shelter, and sustenance for wildlife. Garden Revolution Larry Weaner IndieBound.com Timberpress.com Amazon.com How an ecological approach to planting can lead to beautiful gardens that buck much of conventional gardening’s counter-productive, time-consuming practices. Instead of picking the wrong plant and then weeding, irrigating, and fertilizing, Weaner advocates for choosing plants that are adapted to the soil and climate of a specific site and letting them naturally evolve over time. ______________________________________________ _____________________ __________________ ___________ Propagation Growing and Propagating Wildflowers William Cullina IndieBound.com Amazon.com A comprehensive, beautifully illustrated primer on the fine art of grown wildflowers cov ers the North American continent, providing would-be cultivators of these bea utiful flowers plentiful expert advice. ____________________________________________ _____________________ ______________________ _________ Indigenous Wisdom Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants Robin Wall Kimmerer IndieBound.com Amazon.com As a botanist and professor of plant ecology, Robin Wall Kimmerer has spent a career learning how to ask questions of nature using the tools of science. As a Potawatomi woman , she learned from elders, family, and history that the Pota watomi, as well as a majority of other cultures indigenous to this land, consider plants and animals to be our oldest teachers. ____________________________________________ _____________________ _____________________ __________ Wildlife The Humane Gardener Nancy Lawson IndieBound.com Amazon.com A philosophical and practical guide for the gardener who hopes to wants to create a backyard garden in harmony with nature.

New to gardening? Learn how to get started with New England native plants using simple, practical guidance for Massachusetts gardens. > New to Gardening? > Hello! Welcome! We are so glad you are here! This page is a great place to start on your native plant journey. You'll find some useful information, lists of our favorite plants for newbies, and more information on how you can support our local wildlife. About Native Plants Why We Love insects...and You Should Too Planting How-To What's in a Name Ten Great Plants for Newbies Great Reading Great Videos What is a Native Plant? For all intents and purposes we consider a native plant one that occurred here naturally prior to large European settlement. Native people moved plants around for production and collection. But that's different from bringing in a species from another continent. Here are some top reasons: Wildlife: Sustainability: Restorative: Climate Change: Soil Stabilization: Why Native? Why We Love Scientific Names but Common Names are Good Too! Prior to Carl Linnaeus developing a system of classification and for naming things in the world Canis familiaris (dog!), or Monarda fistulosa (Bee balm) plants were named very regionally. So what you might call "Shadbush" your cousin may call "Serviceberry" and your other cousin may call it "Juneberry". It can get awfully confusing but but Amelanchier canadensis is the same thing and there's only one botanical name. Amelanchier is the Genus and there are other Amelanchier species such as the Amelanchier alnifolia , Amelanchier arborea , and Amelanchier humilis , and so on. These are all different species but have similarities to Amelanchier canadensis . There is only one Amelanchier canadensis as that is the genus and the species name together. Scientific names often describe a plant. Monarda punctata for example. (add info) "Scientific name" is also called "botanical name", "binomial nomenclature", or "Latin name" (although plant names are a mix of Latin and Greek). But you don't need to know any of this to bring plants home! We know common names too! Book a class What is a Native Plant? There are several definitions we can apply to "what" makes something native. For all intents and purposes we consider a native plant one that occurred here naturally prior to large European settlement. Native people moved plants around for production and collection. But that's different from bringing in a burining bush from Asia. Book a class What is a Native Plant? There are several definitions we can apply to "what" makes something native. For all intents and purposes we consider a native plant one that occurred here naturally prior to large European settlement. Native people moved plants around for production and collection. But that's different from bringing in a burining bush from Asia. Book a class What is a Native Plant? There are several definitions we can apply to "what" makes something native. For all intents and purposes we consider a native plant one that occurred here naturally prior to large European settlement. Native people moved plants around for production and collection. But that's different from bringing in a burining bush from Asia. Book a class When to Plant A lot of new gardeners believe, based on traditional garden center timing, that they have to plant in April and be done. That is not at all how we look at planting native. Any time you plant native is a good time! Native plants can be planted any time of the year you can work the soil. July and August you will have to add more supplemental water. Book a class How to Plant A lot of new gardeners believe, based on traditional garden center timing, that they have to plant in April and be done. That is not at all how we look at planting native. Any time you plant native is a good time! Native plants can be planted any time of the year you can work the soil. July and August you will have to add more supplemental water. Book a class You've Planted...Now What?! A lot of new gardeners believe, based on traditional garden center timing, that they have to plant in April and be done. That is not at all how we look at planting native. Any time you plant native is a good time! Native plants can be planted any time of the year you can work the soil. July and August you will have to add more supplemental water. Book a class Some Helpful Tips Native plants are just plants. They need soil, rain and sun. You don't need to be an expert to plant native. Pick the plant to fit the soil you already have rather than trying to change the soil to find the plants you wanted. You shouldn't need to use any fertilizer with native plants. Our website is a great tool for finding plants that fit your needs. You can filter by sun, soil, height, bloom time, wildlife, etc. For example here is a search for perennials for sun, moist soil, and deer resistance. You can clear the filters and make your own. Depending on the time of the year and the weather you'll want to water well just for the first few weeks. Trees and shrubs will take longer to establish. If you put the right plants in the right soil you should not need to supplementally water your plants after that. Plants generally look great in large swaths. So if you are going to buy ten plants consider buying all the same or 5 each of two species. Also, odd numbers look better to the eye. We love questions from newer gardeners sp feel free to email us any time info@bluestemnatives.com . All questions are worthwhile. Duration: 1 hour Book a class What is a Host Plant? Host plants are plants that an organism lives on and lives off of. Insects from the microscopic to the massive use plants as hosts. For our purpose, we will chat insects, specifically we'll focus on Lepidoptera. 🐛🦋 Doug Tallamy is a beloved entomologist whose research indicates that 90ish%+ of insects need a specific plant(s) to survive. These insects are called SPECIALISTS. The very small remainder are GENERALISTS and can consume whatever comes their way. One SPECIALIST we all know and love is the Monarch Butterfly. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on any milkweed plant (Asclepias spp.) because their caterpillars can only consume milkweed. Wicked smaht. As an adult form, the Monarch butterfly can fly away and drink nectar from a wide range of plants BUT at their larval stage, the caterpillar, they can only survive and grow on milkweed. No milkweed=no more Monarchs. This is a tiny list of other specialists and their HOST PLANTS, several are ENDANGERED in Massachusetts: • American lady : pussytoes (Antennaria spp.) • Spicebush swallowtail : spicebush (Lindera benzoin)+ • Henry's elfin : blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)+ • Luna moth : shagbark hickory (Carya glabra)+ • New Jersey Tea inchworm : New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) • Frosted elfin : wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)+ • Pink streak : switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and the list goes ON and ON and ON... What can you do? PLANT NATIVE! For more reading: Superfoods in the Insect Garden List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Sepcies Butterfly Larval Host Plant List Butterfly Host Plan Book a class Monarchs Let's talk Monarchs with the caveat that we have an ulterior motive. We want you to understand that there are SO many butterflies just like the Monarch that are threatened by human activity. If you haven't read the "What is a Host Plant" tab above, click on that first and then come back here. We'll wait! Monarchs are big, beautiful, easy to identify, and have a heroic migration. They are absolutely fascinating. So it's understandable that we are all so in awe of them. So what's happening with them and what can we do? How did monarch butterflies become threatened? Monarch caterpillars rely on a single plant genus for sustenance. The plants in the Asclepias (Milkweed) genus are the host plants for monarch larvae, and have become the only plants that the caterpillars can eat while they grow through their stages of being a caterpillar. As increased usage of herbicides, human population growth, and agricultural spread occurred, many of the naturally occurring milkweed plants were destroyed, drastically reducing the availability of the only food source these insects can survive on. What can we do? Plant milkweed, and then plant more milkweed, and then tell your neighbors they should plant some milkweed. Don't spray, even the "natural" mosquito spray is indescriminate insecticide. Put up a sign so people know you are planting for wildlife. (add link to e-book) Book a class Insects! Host plants are plants that an organism lives on and lives off of. Insects from the microscopic to the massive use plants as hosts. For our purpose, we will chat insects, specifically we'll focus on Lepidoptera.+

Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > currentwholesaleform > Acknowledgement of New Terms For-Profit Businesses Thank you for your continued interest and for being flexible as we improve and grow our wholesale offerings and organization. Thank you! Note: add something about 3 ways to shop. and then if shopping through "requesting a quote...:" I understand, if not purchasing online or in person, business orders require a non-refundable 20% deposit/”RE-STOCKING FEE”. Once an order has been placed Not applicable to non-profits/towns and not applicable to future orders. Business pay ahead Figure out 20% of online order doesn’t get returned? Email Company OR Nonprofit Name Changes to Wholesale/Bulk Purchasing: If purchasing through a quote request, now needs to be submitted through our SPREADSHEET and UP TO 3 WEEKS ahead of pickup. DISCOUNTS will now be based on QUANTITY OF EACH PURCHASE (rather than expectation of yearly purchases). 0%, 15%, to 25% Orders must be picked up within 3 weeks of placement. I understand business orders require a non-refundable 20% restocking fee. Not applicable to non-profits/towns. I understand business orders require a non-refundable 20% restocking fee. Not applicable to non-profits/towns. Submit Thank you for being a customer, we appreicate it

Send an e-gift card for New England native plants, seeds, and garden goods. Delivered instantly and redeemable online or in person. Gift Cards Share the joy of native plants with a Blue Stem Natives e-gift card! E-gift cards are delivered instantly by email and can be used online or in person at our nursery. Physical gift cards are available for in-store purchase only. Purchase an E-Gift Card Enter amount $ Quantity Buy Now

New England native plants suited for container gardening, perfect for patios, porches, and small-space gardens. > Container Gardening > What to Plant: Native Plants in Container Gardening We often hear from people who are interested in native plants, but live in areas without land to plant in-ground gardens. Luckily, there are plenty of plants which can grow well in containers, allowing all of our patio garden friends to join the movement. Many native plants tend to be somewhat drought tolerant, which helps when container gardening, as these pots tend to dry out quickly. While some plants may require some trimming to maintain a reasonable size, often the restriction of the roots will naturally reduce the size of the fully-grown plants. Likewise, planting some of our more aggressive species in pots can help reduce unwanted spread while retaining their noted benefits! Further Reading online: "Container Gardening with Native Plants" - Missouri Botanical Garden online: "Balcony gardens – Natives in pots for urbanites and people on the move" - Wild Seed Project online: " Wildlife Waystations: Captivating Containers with Native Plants" - Audubon online: "Gardening with Native Plants: Container Gardening" - University of Wisconsin online: "Native Plant Container Gardening" - Grow Native, Missouri

Find the right New England native plants for your site based on sun, soil, and conditions. Practical guidance for Massachusetts gardens. > What to Plant > What to Plant Looking for something to plant but not sure where to start? Take a look at some lists we've put together. On each page you'll find additional resources from books, to websites, to videos. Agressive At-Risk Species Berries for Birds Deer Resistant Edible Native Plants Evergreen Groundcovers Hummingbird Invasive Alternatives Lawn Alternatives Rabbit Resistant Rain Garden Roadside Tolerant Shoreline Slope Stabilization

New England native lawn alternatives that reduce mowing, support pollinators, and thrive in local conditions. > Lawn Alternatives > Americans are in love with their lawns, spending insane amounts of money and time cultivating our largest crop-turf grass. This crop provides no nutritional benefit, does not support wildlife, and requires a huge investment to maintain. Expand your idea of what a lawn needs to look like and use these recommendations to create an enviable, functional ecosystem. There are a variety of plants that can be used to reduce or replace turf grass across a variety of sun and soil types. You can thank us when you reclaim your Sundays back from mowing. Further Reading Webinar (recorded): "How to Replace Your Lawn", Tower Hill Botanic Garden horticulture director Mark Richardson online: "Mini Meadow - Native Plantings" , Chatham Conservation Foundation What to Plant: Lawn Alternatives

Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > Ecological Organizations > If you are a non-profit organization you can apply for a 15% discount on plants. Please note that we ask for a minimum order of $250 for this discount to apply, and all applicable tax exempt forms need to be submitted prior to ordering. Email us at info@bluestemnatives.com prior to purchasing so we can complete paperwork for tax exempt status. Once approved you can shop in person. Ecological Organizations

Native plants for New England shorelines that help stabilize soil, improve water quality, and support wildlife. > Shoreline > What to Plant: Native Plants for the Shoreline Here in Southeastern Massachusetts, we have the luck to experience two types of shorelines, freshwater and saltwater. Each presents a unique set of properties and needs that require native plants well suited for the area. Seashores require the most hardy, salt and sun tolerant plants which have extensive root systems that can knit fragile sand dunes together. Lake and river shores require plants that are adaptable to changing conditions, sometimes rapid currents, varying water levels, and difficult soil types. Many of these plants support sensitive wildlife that call these shorelines home. Species marked with an asterisk* also tolerate intertidal zones (the area between low tide and high tide). Species marked with ** are great for freshwater shorelines. Further Reading PDF: "Acceptable Plantings for Buffers to Resource Areas" - Brewster Conservation Commission online: "Coastal Landscaping in Massachusetts" - Mass Gov (the majority of these are native but please note there are some non-native plants which we do not recommend) PDF: "Coastal Dune Protection & Restoration" - Woods Hole Sea Grant online: "American Beach Grass Planting Guide" - Sea Grant New York PDF: "Trees & Shrubs for Coastal Environments" - Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

Blue Stem Natives is a Massachusetts-based native plant nursery focused on New England ecosystems, education, and plants that support wildlife. > About > Our Story > About Our Story We started Blue Stem Natives in 2021 when we recognized the huge demand for native plants and a serious lack of supply. Britt and Kristen met at a Wild Ones meetings where we were on the board working on growing plants for the garden club's plant sale. Then and there we decided we needed to start a native-only nursery. Our Mission Our mission is to help everyone, regardless of land ownership, create wildlife friendly green spaces , using plants native to our area. We strive to produce and provide high-demand native plants for the New England region , using local ecotypic seed when possible. We specialize in growing native plants from seed so as to encourage genetic diversity , and grow only straight-species , no ‘cultivars’. Blue Stem Natives is committed to using environmentally mindful growing practices such as using pots made from recycled plastic and growing with 100% peat-free soil. Location We are located in the Village Gardens shopping center at 376 Washington Street, Norwell, Massachusetts 02061 (REAR LOT) s ee current hours here We believe in leading by example using sustainable practices in our homes as well as our business, and our commitment to increasing bio-diversity and restoring our local ecosystems drive our daily actions and long-term goals. Here are a few of our commitments: What We Believe in Native plants should be easy to learn about and find to purchase. One of our driving factors in deciding to open this nursery was the difficulties we found trying to source wild type native plants for our Wild Ones chapter plant sale. Previously, most of these plants were only available through wholesale growers, requiring large volume orders and serious advanced planning, both out of reach for the average home grower. There is much to learn about how using native plants in our landscapes can make a tangible difference in our world, and we look forward to being a partner in growing gardens all over New England. Soil and growing mediums should not contain peat. The growing medium we use for all of our plants does not contain any peat. Peat bogs are the largest natural area of sequestered carbon in the world. These bogs hold twice as much carbon than all of the forests put together! Harvesting of peat releases carbon and depletes the bogs, contributing greatly to climate change. Peat moss takes thousands of years to be produced by nature and is therefore not sustainable in a nursery setting. We use Organic Mechanics soil to grow our own plants, using coconut coir and rice hulls as a peat replacement. (We do bring in plants from other growers as well. They use mindful growing practices but are not necessarily peat-free). We also carry Organic Mechanics products for purchase. Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers should have no place in our gardens. We absolutely avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The traditional nursery trade is rife with chemicals. For the environment, wildlife, and for people, we will not use these. When our plants need a little help while growing in their limited containers we turn to Neptune's Harvest organic seaweed fertilizer. It is possible for nurseries to be successful and reduce reliance on single use plastic. We source our pots carefully, considering different criteria. Some of the criteria we look at: made from post-consumer materials, recycled, reusable, compostable. You can find more information about our pots here. We strive to avoid single-use plastics as much as possible. We will also gladly welcome back and reuse any of our pots when you are done with them. We source our seed only from reputable sources, and as locally as possible." We source our seed only from reputable sources, and as locally as possible. We occasionally buy plugs (essentially hardy seedlings) from a wholesale nursery. We pot these plugs up into large pots and grow them out so they will be ready for your projects quicker. The plug growers also do not use any neonicotinoids or pesticides. In the News “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead Ecological Landsape Alliance: Supply and Demand of Native Species Growing Greener podcast and radio show: A Do-It-Yourself Native Plants Nursery What is a Trellis? How You Can Take Your Garden to New Heights, Redfin blog

Watch videos on New England native plants, gardening techniques, and ecological practices designed for local conditions. Native Plant Videos If you catch us at the nursery with headphones, chances are high we are listening to some wonderful webinars about a variety of topics. Nothing we like more than a two hour lecture while we have our hands in the dirt! Blue Stem Natives Native Plants Edible Plants Garden Design Insects "The Importance of Native Plants" Doug Tallamy Entomologist, ecologist and conservationist Hosted by: Ohio State University length: 1 hour, 16 minutes The Liberated Landscape Letting Nature Do the Work Larry Weaner Larry Weaner Landscape Associates has a national reputation for combining ecological restoration with the traditions of garden design. Hosted by Ecological Landscape Alliance Length: 1 hour, 10 minutes Wild Ones Boston Native Garden Design Meet Josh Altidor & Andy Brand, the designers who created the Boston native garden plan, and see how they approached creating their design. https://nativegardendesigns.wildones.... Length: 1 hour, 4 minutes Edible Plants of Southeastern Massachusetts Russ Cohen Wild edibles enthusiast and author of "Wild Plants I Have Known... and Eaten" Hosted by Wildlands Trust Length: 1 hour, 23 minutes "Edible Native Plants for Your Landscape" Russ Cohen Wild edibles enthusiast and author of "Wild Plants I Have Known... and Eaten" Hosted by Ecological Landscape Alliance length: 1 hour, 6 minutes "Improving Pollinator Habitat at Home" Dan Wilder (Jaffe) Director of Applied Ecology - Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary Hosted by NOFA MASS length: 1 hour, 28 minutes "Whats The Buzz" Dr. Rob Gegear UMASS-Dartmouth Hosted by Western Mass Pollinator Networks length: 1 hour, 43 minutes "WASPS" Heather Holm Wild Ones Honorary Director Hosted by Wild Ones length: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Sign up for Blue Stem Natives newsletters for updates on native plants, seeds, workshops, and seasonal happenings. > About > Newsletters > Newsletter Archive Don't want to miss the next newsletter? Sign up at the bottom of any page on the website! Newsletter subscribers receive the first notification of sales, events, and more. We never share your email address. Newsletters are listed NEWEST FIRST: 2025 Early summer, 2025 : BSN goes mobile and discounts Late-late spring, 2025: bird houses and plant vignettes at BSN Late spring, 2025: Garden cleanup and garden planning part 2. Early spring, 2025: Invasive species and garden planning part 1. Late winter, 2025 : Veggies, photo contest winners, and Monarchs Winter, 2025: Celebrating black history month and a photo contest! 2024 Early winter, 2024: a holiday market and workshops Mid autumn, 2024: Seeds and autumn chores Autumn, 2024: Seed sowing resources Early autumn, 2024: Best time to plant and seed mixes Extra late summer, 2024: Native plant resources Late summer, 2024: Watering 101 Mid-late summer, 2024: Gardening in the summer and all about our pots Summer, 2024: Giveaway bonanza and natives for newbies. Early summer, 2024: Garden nibblers and meet our new pot filler! Spring, 2024: All about native shrubs: edible, wonderfully scented, and fancy! Early spring, 2024: Veggies, space invaders, and plant of the month club Late winter, 2024: C.S.A. and invasive species removal 2023 November, 2023: Winter events in-person and online October, 2023 : Thank you discounts and seed updates Late September, 2023: On-the-road and berries for birds Early September, 2023: End-of summer update s, new sp ecies and fun giveaways. August, 2023: Great organizations + Gardening in dry soil with native plants. Late July, 2023: Pollinators + Plants. Early July, 2023: Shrub sale and "Mini-Guide to Gardening for Monarchs". June, late, 2023: Monarchs, shrubs, and giveaways. June, early, 2023: Sustainability at Blue Stem. May, late, 2023: What's in bloom at Blue Stem. May, early, 2023: Soil, bokashi composting, and Mother's day. April, 2023: Growing updates and veggies. Getting ready for opening. March, 2023: Meet our wonderful employees! Plus garden design and plant updates. February, 2023 : Winter interest in the garden and our C.S.A. January, 2023: Workshops! 2022 Early winter, 2022: Greenhouse updates and gift cards Fall, 2022: Seeds and sowing resource Early fall, 2022 : Top ten fall gardening chores and great discounts Late summer, 2022 : Celebrating Wild Ones, seeds, and more. Summer, 2022: Big Blue Stem News + garden kits Early summer, 2022 : WHY native plants and all about rain barrels Late spring, 2022 : Gardening for life and plant spotlight Late spring, 2022 : A giveaway, trading post, and Blue Stem updates Spring 2022 : Looking for something to plant but not sure where to start? What to plant... 2021 Winter, 2021 : Greenhouse update, news, and new species (spoiler, we went a little overboard). Late Fall, 2021: Tips for your garden in the fall. Favorite online presentations. Early Fall, 2021: Thank you so much for all of your support this year! Summer, 2021: Updates, additional hours and great new plants and items! Spring, 2021: Our first newsletter! Blue Stem Natives updates

Educational resources for schools focused on New England native plants, pollinators, and hands-on ecological learning. > Learn > School Resources > Schools (page under construction) Five Hundred Yard Field Trip At this time you can email wholesale@bluestemnatives.com for more information. Blue Stem Natives sells the native plants that are part of the Five Hundred Yard Field Trip curriculum. This ecology curriculum is free, and aligned with the science standards in MA, VT, NH, and NY. Using this curriculum, teachers can seamlessly incorporate the study of native plants into their life science lessons. Check out the website at https://www.fivehundredyardfieldtrip.com/ for more detailed information. Plants can be ordered from Blue Stem Natives, or any other resource listed on the Five Hundred Yard Field Trip website. To purchase plants from Blue Stem please click here (link coming soon) Photos and information from fivehundredyardfieldtrip.com. The Pussytoes Project: Grades K-2 Curriculum Purchase plants here (link coming soon) "Pussytoes are a wonderful, low growing plant which sends up its distinctive "pussytoe" white flower in May. These plants are one of the host plants of the American Lady butterfly, the life cycle of which can be observed on the plant. In this unit, students will learn about the diet of caterpillars, their adaptations to their environment, their metamorphosis into butterflies and moths, the relationship between caterpillars and their host plants and the mechanisms of pollination. This unit is designed to satisfy many of the life science standards for MA, Vt, NH and NY for grades k-2" Order plants for the Pussytoes Project here. (link coming soon) POs accepted Shipping likely available (working out the details) Caterpillarpalooza: Grades 3-5 Purchase plants here (link coming soon) In this unit, students will plant a more varied group of plants: flowers and native grasses that support a variety of caterpillars and other pollinators. All the plants selected for this unit are drought-proof and non aggressive. Students will be able to observe an ecological system and learn about the various interactions between plants and insects. This unit is designed to satisfy many of the life science standards for MA, Vt, NH and NY for grades 3-5 Order plants for Caterpillarpalooza here (link coming soon) POs accepted Shipping likely available (working out the details) More information soon

Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Seed Farm We farm on a plot generously lent to us by the Norwell Conservation Commission. By growing plants from locally collected wild seed, we can increase the supply of true local ecotype seed without relying on additional wild harvesting. As stewards of this farmland, our goal is to keep it functioning as farmland for future generations. This means mowing at times—without it, most New England meadows naturally revert to forest. Collecting Seeds Our seed that we farm is all collected from locally wild populations, making it "local eco-type". We have permission from several Conservation Commissions and owners of private land to collect wild seed. We do so only as needed and in keeping with a commitment to good genetic diversity. We don't sell the seeds we collect from the wild, those are used to grow plants to harvest their seed. Genetics/Ecotype Although we, in New England, could easily ship in seed from California or Florida for species native to New England...these seeds would be adapted to the climate of their original source. Boston weather might be a bit of a surprise. We are in ecotype 59: Northeastern Coastal Zone. So we collect within this region. A map for a more detailed summary of ecotype can be found here. PURCHASE 2025 updates Added species: Eupatorium pilosum (rough boneset), Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower), Sericocarpus linifolius (Narrow-leaf white-top-aster), Symphyotrichum racemosum (small white American aster), Symphyotrichum undulatum (Wavyleaf aster), Solidago patula (Roundleaf goldenrod), Lobelia siphilitica (Great blue lobelia), Sericocarpus asteroides (Toothed white-top-aster), Carex crinita (Fringed sedge), Carex lurida (shallow sedge), Solidago squarrosa (stout goldenrod) 2024 updates Added species: Monarda fistulosa (Bee Balm), Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata (Self-heal), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem) 2023 updates Added species: Eurybia spectabilis (Eastern showy aster), Hypericum punctatum (Spotted St. John’s-wort), Oligoneuron rigida (Stiff goldenrod), Pycnanthumum muticum (clustered mountain mint) 2022 updates documenting wild species at Barstow So far we’ve been tracking what species are growing wild, removed many of the invasive species such as autumn olive, multiflora rose, and purple loosestrife. Added species: Helenium autumnale (Fall Sneezeweed), Asclepias incarnata ssp. pulchera (Eastern Swamp milkweed), Ionactis linariifolia (stiff aster), Liatris scariosa v.novae angliae (New England blazing star), Chamaecrista Fasciculata (Partridge pea), Oligoneuron rigida (Stiff goldenrod) Our first harvest: Houstonia caerula (bluets) 2021 updates started documenting wild species at Barstow Added species: Houstonia caerula (bluets)

Step-by-step instructions for sowing New England native seeds, including timing, methods, and tips for successful germination. > Seed Mix Instructions > Seed Mix Instructions 1) INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOWING YOUR NATIVE SEED MIX 2) INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR LAWN ENRICHMENT MIX 1) INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOWING YOUR NATIVE SEED MIX We’ve selected a variety of species to fill many niches: heights, root systems, seasons, and time over years. You’ll find some species are quick to grow and bloom and will fade after a few years while others will take time. Timing Native seeds, for the most part, need to be sown in the fall so that they can go through winter’s freezing and thawing prior to germination in the spring. Choose the Right Site Pick an area with conditions that match the mix. Remove vegetation by mowing, raking, or hand weeding to reduce competition. Scarify soil to depth of approximately ½”. Aim for at least 50% bare soil. If you have a larger project you can use solarization (temporarily laying plastic down) but this needs to be done months ahead of time. We urge you not to till the soil of where you are sowing unless your soil is usually compacted. Tilling is detrimental to soil structure and also brings up more weed seeds. Sow the Seed Your seeds are packaged in two parts: A. Large seeds: Mix the larger seeds with a gallon or more of a substrate, such as compost, or packaged weed-free soil. The substrate helps to equally distribute and also acts as some covering for these seeds. Broadcast the seed evenly by hand over the prepared soil. You can use a rake lightly to spread the mix if that’s helpful. B. Small seeds: These seeds need light to germinate next spring so should be surface sown (not covered by soil at all). Sprinkle on top of the sown area. If you prefer to use a substrate to help distribute these don’t use soil but use sand instead. This will help keep the seeds in place but the sand will allow the necessary light through. After sowing, press seeds firmly into the soil with feet, shovel back, or roller for good contact. Watering No watering is needed until spring. In the spring water gently and keep soil moist (not soggy) until seedlings are established. Patience and Expectations EXPECT WEEDS FROM THE SOIL SEED BANK. Learn to identify your sown seedlings and remove invaders over time. You will find quick growing and flowering species will dominate the first two years before slower growing species establish themselves. This is by plan. Many native plants take 2–3 years to fully establish. Don’t worry if germination seems slow or uneven—native seeds are genetically diverse and will sprout at different times, building a resilient planting. Extra Large Areas You can mow or weed whack to 6" high every six weeks for the first year only and then every three years after that. You won't get first year blooms from annuals included in the mix but you'll favor the new species over current weeds. 2) INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENRICHING YOUR LAWN We like the idea of making your lawn do more than just look green. This mix is designed to supplement an existing lawn, keeping its function while making it more welcoming to pollinators and wildlife. Lawns certainly have their place, but with a little help they can also support biodiversity. Timing Native seeds, for the most part, need to be sown in the fall so that they can go through winter’s freezing and thawing prior to germination in the spring. Choose the Right Site Pick an area with conditions that match the mix. Scarify your lawn and soil to a depth of approximately ½”. We urge you not to till the soil of where you are sowing unless your soil is usually compacted. Tilling is detrimental to soil structure and also brings up more weed seeds. Sow the Seed Your seeds are packaged in two parts: A. Large seeds: Mix the larger seeds with a gallon or more of a substrate, such as compost, or packaged weed-free soil. The substrate helps to equally distribute and also acts as some covering for these seeds. Broadcast the seed evenly by hand over the prepared soil. You can use a rake lightly to spread the mix if that’s helpful. B. Small seeds: These seeds need light to germinate next spring so should be surface sown (not covered by soil at all). Sprinkle on top of the sown area. If you prefer to use a substrate to help distribute these don’t use soil but use sand instead. This will help keep the seeds in place but the sand will allow the necessary light through. After sowing, press seeds firmly into the soil with feet, shovel back, or roller for good contact. Watering No watering is needed until spring. In the spring water gently and keep soil moist (not soggy) until seedlings are established. Expectations and Management Learn to identify your sown seedlings and remove invaders over time. Many native plants take 2–3 years to fully establish. Don’t worry if germination seems slow or uneven—native seeds are genetically diverse and will sprout at different times, building a resilient planting. You can mow this lawn like a normal lawn, ideally setting your mower to high. Happy sowing!

Native plant alternatives to common invasive species, chosen for similar aesthetics and better ecological value. > Invasive Plant Alternatives > What to Plant: Invasive, and Common Non-Native, Plant Alternatives Maya Angelou once said, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” Many of the traditional ornamental plants we are familiar with have become problematic with time and climate change, with compounding issues in the future. Some are, or are highly likely to become, downright invasive. Many of these plants don’t cause issues in our immediate space, but are wreaking havoc on our wooded areas. (Burning bush…I’m looking at you) Further Reading online: "Native Plant Alternatives" - U.S. Forest Service book: "Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants" , C. Colston Burrell Plant THIS, Not THESE! Invasive, and Common Non-Native, Plants This list is by far not exhaustive, but is intended to spark some ideas about replacing some of our most popular non-native ornamentals with highly beneficial and beautiful native alternatives. CLICK PHOTOS TO VIEW BETTER OPTIONS. burning bush butterfly bush rose of sharon purple loosestrife sw. autumn clematis japanese honeysuckle wisteria lesser celandine privet autumn olive barberry english ivy vinca winter creeper pachysandra tiger lily non-native grass dame's rocket rugosa rose yellow iris Japanese spiraea

Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > About > Blue Stem goes mobile > Blue Stem Goes Mobile! We’ve officially bought a horse trailer—and we’re turning it into a traveling pop-up plant shop to reach more corners of Massachusetts. It’s still a work in progress, but we’re aiming to hit the road around August 1, 2025. Want to bring our mobile shop to your town? Whether it’s a garden club, library, school, or community event, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out and let’s make it happen! Please note we are licensed to sell plants in Massachusetts so can't travel outside of the state lines. Let us know if you would like us to travel to your town! Name* Email* Subject Town (must be in Massachusetts as that's where we are licensed)* Group/Affiliation* Location we could potentially have the pop up shop Expected number of customers Write a message Send