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  • wholesale form | Blue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > wholesale form > Thank you for your interest. You must be a registered business or non-profit to apply for wholesale discounts. Y ou will receive an automated email once you submit. If your application is not approved you will be contacted directly by Blue Stem. First Name Last Name Email Phone Company OR Nonprofit Name Business website Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code TYPE OF ACCOUNT: * Required REGISTERED BUSINESS NONPROFIT EIN number, IF APPLICABLE Upload TAX EXEMPT if applicable Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Terms for Wholesale/Bulk Purchasing I am applying as either a registered business or non-profit representative and understand this form is not for retail customers. I understand plant requests need to be submitted through our spreadsheet (unless purchased online or in person). I understand discounts are based on quantity of purchase; 0%, 15%, to 25% I understand 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. Submit Thanks for applying for a wholesale account Wholesale Form

  • New England Native Seeds for Pollinators | Blue Stem Natives

    Shop New England native seeds curated for pollinators, birds, and resilient home gardens. Ideal for local growing conditions. Working to establish a seed farm with local ecotypic seed. Seeds are available for purchase in person or with shipping thoughout New England. > Buy > Seeds > Native Seeds Native seed sales run mid-September through December , with new species added frequently during fall. All species listed as “local ecotype” are ethically collected from Ecoregion 59 and grown out for sale. Vegetable seeds are offered separately in the spring. Helpful links: Seed Sowing Instructions Germination Codes Seed Mix Instructions FILTER BY: type All annuals + biennials grasses + sedges perennials shrubs sun needs sun part sun shade water needs average soil moist soil wet soil dry soil seed treatment spring sowing cold moist stratification sowing outdoors best SORT BY: Ecotype 59 seeds: Elymus hystrix (bottlebrush grass) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Symphyotrichum patens (late purple aster) Not available seeds: Hypericum punctatum (Spotted St. John's-wort) Not available seeds: Lobelia spicata (pale-spiked lobelia) Not available seeds: Antennaria neglecta (Field pussytoes) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Solidago sempervirens (seaside goldenrod) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Hibiscus moscheutos (Eastern rose mallow) Not available seeds: Eurybia schreberi (Schreber's Aster) Not available seeds: Eupatorium hyssopifolium (Eupatorium hyssopifolium) Not available seeds: Solidago flexicaulis (zig zag goldenrod) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (Calico aster) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Solidago bicolor (white goldenrod) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Penstemon pallidus (pale beardtongue) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Packera aurea (Golden groundsel) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Achillea millefolium (yarrow) Not available Ecotype 59 seeds: Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) Not available seeds: Anemone cylindrica (thimbleweed) Not available seeds: Cirsium discolor (field thistle) Not available seeds: Echinocystis lobata (wild cucumber) Not available seeds: 2026 Not available Seed Mix: Native Meadow (drier soil) Not available Seed Mix: Native Meadow (moist soil) Not available Seed Mix: Shady Characters Not available Seed Mix: The Friendly Lawn Not available seeds: Ageratina altissima (snakeroot) Not available seeds: Allium tricoccum (wild leek) Not available seeds: Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly everlasting) Not available seeds: Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge bluestem) Not available seeds: Anemone canadensis (Canada anemone) Not available seeds: Anemone virginiana (Tall anemone) Not available seeds: Apocynum cannabinum (dogbane) Not available seeds: Aralia racemosa (spikenard) Not available

  • Rain Garden | Blue Stem Natives

    New England native plants designed for rain gardens that manage stormwater while supporting pollinators. > Rain Garden > What to Plant: Native Plants for Rain Gardens Planting Rain Gardens is a widely misunderstood concept for many of us. The term brings to mind marshy areas and water loving plants, which most homeowners simply don’t have. We assume we don’t have the appropriate area or need for such a garden. In reality, a rain garden is a wonderful tool to be used in areas which might receive a higher amount of water but isn’t necessarily consistently wet. We probably all have downspouts, right? Spots in our yards where water runs down and pools for a longer period than others? These are the perfect places to plant species capable of filtering larger amounts of water, but can also survive in periods of drought. Further Reading video: "How To Build A Rain Garden" , NSRWA, WaterSmartSouthShore, and Wild Ones book: "Rain Gardens: Sustainable Landscaping for a Beautiful Yard and a Healthy World" , Lynn Steiner online: "How to Build a Rain Garden to Filter Run-Off" , This Old House online: "How to Build a Rain Garden in Your Yard", Family Handyman online: "Building a Rain Garden", Northampton, MA Gov site

  • Edible | Blue Stem Natives

    Edible New England native plants that offer food for people while supporting pollinators and local ecosystems. > Edible > What to Plant: Edible Native Plants When we think about edible plants, we most often envision plump, tasty berries, or obvious hanging fruit. If you focus solely on these attributes, you will be missing out on the wide variety of native plants that are edible, either entirely or in part. Many of our native plants have been used for centuries by Indigenous People for both food and medicinal purposes. While we list our favorites here, we always caution you to do your own thorough research, understand what parts of a plant are edible and under what circumstances, and always, ALWAYS exercise caution when collecting and eating any wild-collected plant. Further Reading E.L.A. newsletter article: "More Edible and Landscape-Worthy Plants of New England " - Georgia Hann and Russ Cohen book: "Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten" - Russ Cohen online: "Edible and Landscape-worthy Native Plants of New England" - Russ Cohen and Ellen Sousa online: "Native Greens" - Wild Seed Project online: "The Tastiest Plants in New England" - Dan Wilder (Jaffe)

  • presentation raffle | Blue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > presentation raffle > Enter to subscribe to our newsletter and enter the raffle for a $25 Blue Stem gift certificate! First name Last name Email I want to subscribe to the newsletter. Submit Thanks for submitting! Newsletter sign-up! wholesale terms

  • Soil, Pots & Pricing | Blue Stem Natives

    Information on soil mixes, pots, and pricing for New England native plants, seeds, and garden supplies. > About > Soil, pots, and pricing > Soil, Pots, and Pricing Soil We grow the majority of the plants that we carry*. The organic soil we use, from germination to full grown plants, is from Organic Mechanics. This organic soil is delivered in "super sacks" which are 60 cubic foot bags. The soil is a mix of: coconut coir, pine bark, rice hulls, compost, earthworm castings, and OMRI fertilizer. WE ARE COMPLETELY PEAT FREE in our own growing. Read more about the problem with peat here . Our soil stays up off the ground so as to avoid any critters on the property. *We bring in plants from other reputable growers as well, some use peat and some don't. All are Neonicotinoid-free. You can also purchase bags of Organic Mecanics soil from us. We carry a compost blend and a container blend . Both are organic and peat-free. Pots The vast majority of our pots and trays are made from recycled plastic. We happily take back any of our own pots to wash and reuse. We also love to reuse our plastic plant tags. Pots and tags can be left in front of our checkout shed in the tagged location. We CANNOT take pots from other growers, those will sadly be thrown in the trash if you leave them, see notes below. Please return those to where you purchased them. Pricing What goes into our pricing? We've done a comprehensive analysis of the market and have thus priced our plants competitively . We take into account that our plants are grown in organic peat-free soil in recycled pots, and grown from seed. We are not certified organic but we use all natural growing practices. Please note that actual pot and plant sizes and shapes will vary. Shrubs in the same sized pot as a perennial will cost more as they generally take longer to reach maturity. When we are deciding if a plant is ready to go out into the world one of the first qualifiers we look for is a solid root structure. Growth above "ground" level will be variable species to species and time of year. Plant sizes, prices, and availability subject to change. Perennial Pricing 1 or 1.25 Quart pot * roughly $10.95 generally first year plants 2 Quart pot * roughly $16.95 generally second y ear plants or older 2.5 Quart pot * roughly $16.95 generally second y ear plants or older 1 Gallon pot * roughly $23 generally second y ear plants or older Environmental Impact of Plastic Pots The typical garden center/nursery contributes to the problem of the overwhelming number of single-use plastic garden pots in the United States. Approximately 4 billion plastic pots are produced and used every year in the U.S. horticultural industry, using 1.66 billion pounds of plastic. And only a tiny fraction of this is recycled. Since black plastic pots are dyed with carbon inks they are not recyclable, black plastic is also not scanable by sorting machines. This means they are a single-use plastic, taking around 450 years to decompose. If you are wishful-thinking-recycling and putting these pots in your household recycling, they are being thrown out by someone else down the line. You can read more about this problem in the links below. Additional Reading Plastic Pots and the Green Industry, Production, Use, Disposal and Environmental Impacts by Marie Soulliere-Chieppo The Truth About Recycling Plastic Pots , from Here by Design. sourcing pots

  • Contact | Blue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Meet The Team Contact Us > Contact > Location Village Gardens: 376 Washington St. Norwell, MA 02061 ( Rear lot) E-mail info@BlueStemNatives.com wholesale@BlueStemNatives.com Phone (781) 738-4869 (call or text) How Can We Help? F.A.Q. Can’t find an answer in the F.A.Q. button above? Email us or submit the form: Email Subject Your message Please allow a few days for a reply Send Thanks for submitting!

  • Groundcovers | Blue Stem Natives

    Low-growing New England native groundcovers ideal for weed suppression, erosion control, and habitat support. > Groundcovers > What to Plant: Native Plants as Groundcover/Living Mulch The term “groundcover” spans a wide variety of plants, some of which may surprise you. When most people think of groundcovers, they envision plants that are short and spread quickly. Add to that list taller plants that shade the ground as well. Plants that have squat profiles and spread out over the ground work to prevent sunlight from reaching the seeds in the ground, thereby reducing unwanted plant growth. The real benefit to installing groundcovers instead of relying on mulch is that you are keeping patches of soil open which allows a habitat for our native ground-nesting pollinators. Further Reading online: "Native Ground Covers for Beauty and Biodiversity at the Ground Level" - Wild Seed Project PDF: "Why Mulch When You Can Plant" - Dan Wilder

  • non-profit new terms | Blue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > non-profit new terms > Acknowledgement of New Terms Non-Profits 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

  • test | Blue Stem Natives

    > test > Garden Planning Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

  • about | Blue lue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > Events Calendar > Events/Calendar Blue Stem on the Road info

  • schools | Blue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. > photo contest > Springtime Photo Contest Submissions, thanks for joining! We’re feeling inspired by the nearness of Spring so let's have a "Spring Dreaming" photo contest! How to Enter: Dig through your phone and find your best photo featuring a native plant. We know you’ve got a ton of plant pics! Submit your photo via the link below. We'll choose 5 winners, each receiving a voucher for one free plant (1 or 1.25 quart size). With your permission, we’ll also feature your photo on our social media and in our next newsletter (with full credit to you, of course!). The Rules: One photo submission per person The photo must include a U.S. native plant (don't stress about getting the exact species right for S.E. MA!) Wildlife in the photo is highly encouraged, but not required. Note that you don't need to know the name of any insects in the photo! :) Winners will be announced on February 20th. Best of luck, and we can't wait to see your photos! First name* Last name* Email* We'd love to hear a little more about your photo! Photo upload* Upload File Submit

  • Native Plant Presentations & Talks | Blue Stem Natives

    Educational presentations on New England native plants, pollinators, and ecosystems. Available for groups, organizations, and communities. Presentations Bring native plant expertise directly to your organization, library, garden club, or community group. Our talks mix science, stories, and practical guidance—designed to help New Englanders build healthier, more resilient landscapes. _________________________________ ______ _____ Length 45–60 minute presentation + 15 minutes for Q&A _________________________________ ______ _____ Pricing (2025) In-person: $350 Zoom: $300 (Bookings made before January 1, 2026 lock in 2025 pricing.) _________________________________ ______ _____ Requirements We’ll bring a laptop. You provide a projector and screen. Adaptors available if needed. _________________________________ ______ _____ Recording and sharing You may record and share within your organization with proper credit. _________________________________ ______ _____ In person presentations We primarily serve the South Shore and Southeastern Massachusetts. Events outside this area may require travel fees. _________________________________ ______ _____ Seasonality Presentations are available year-round. _________________________________ _______ ____ 👉 To request a presentation, complete the form on this page. Request a Presentation Ready to book? Complete the form and we’ll reply within 5-8 business days to confirm details and scheduling. Name Organization Email Phone Select a Presentation (see below) Choose an option Select first preference * required 12:00 AM 12:15 AM 12:30 AM 12:45 AM 01:00 AM 01:15 AM 01:30 AM 01:45 AM 02:00 AM 02:15 AM 02:30 AM 02:45 AM 03:00 AM 03:15 AM 03:30 AM 03:45 AM 04:00 AM 04:15 AM 04:30 AM 04:45 AM 05:00 AM 05:15 AM 05:30 AM 05:45 AM 06:00 AM 06:15 AM 06:30 AM 06:45 AM 07:00 AM 07:15 AM 07:30 AM 07:45 AM 08:00 AM 08:15 AM 08:30 AM 08:45 AM 09:00 AM 09:15 AM 09:30 AM 09:45 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:15 PM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM 01:00 PM 01:15 PM 01:30 PM 01:45 PM 02:00 PM 02:15 PM 02:30 PM 02:45 PM 03:00 PM 03:15 PM 03:30 PM 03:45 PM 04:00 PM 04:15 PM 04:30 PM 04:45 PM 05:00 PM 05:15 PM 05:30 PM 05:45 PM 06:00 PM 06:15 PM 06:30 PM 06:45 PM 07:00 PM 07:15 PM 07:30 PM 07:45 PM 08:00 PM 08:15 PM 08:30 PM 08:45 PM 09:00 PM 09:15 PM 09:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:00 PM 10:15 PM 10:30 PM 10:45 PM 11:00 PM 11:15 PM 11:30 PM 11:45 PM 02:30 PM Select second preference * required 12:00 AM 12:15 AM 12:30 AM 12:45 AM 01:00 AM 01:15 AM 01:30 AM 01:45 AM 02:00 AM 02:15 AM 02:30 AM 02:45 AM 03:00 AM 03:15 AM 03:30 AM 03:45 AM 04:00 AM 04:15 AM 04:30 AM 04:45 AM 05:00 AM 05:15 AM 05:30 AM 05:45 AM 06:00 AM 06:15 AM 06:30 AM 06:45 AM 07:00 AM 07:15 AM 07:30 AM 07:45 AM 08:00 AM 08:15 AM 08:30 AM 08:45 AM 09:00 AM 09:15 AM 09:30 AM 09:45 AM 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:15 PM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM 01:00 PM 01:15 PM 01:30 PM 01:45 PM 02:00 PM 02:15 PM 02:30 PM 02:45 PM 03:00 PM 03:15 PM 03:30 PM 03:45 PM 04:00 PM 04:15 PM 04:30 PM 04:45 PM 05:00 PM 05:15 PM 05:30 PM 05:45 PM 06:00 PM 06:15 PM 06:30 PM 06:45 PM 07:00 PM 07:15 PM 07:30 PM 07:45 PM 08:00 PM 08:15 PM 08:30 PM 08:45 PM 09:00 PM 09:15 PM 09:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:00 PM 10:15 PM 10:30 PM 10:45 PM 11:00 PM 11:15 PM 11:30 PM 11:45 PM 02:30 PM Give us more details Submit Thanks! We’ll send you an email shortly. Presentation Options Why Native The in's and outs of native plants in the landscape presented by Kristen Our cornerstone presentation introduces native plants and explains the benefits adding native plants to our landscape can bring. We give tangible advice on how to add native plants to your landscape along with suggestions on what to plant to replace problematic ornamentals. Save the Bees Native plants for native pollinators presented by Kristen There are myriad differences between the well-known honeybees and our native bee species. This presentation focuses on the honeybee and our native bumblebees. From nesting to foraging, these species differ in just about every way! Learn how to build habitat that best supports our native bee species. Ms. Fix-it Mother Nature's solutions for everyday landscaping issues presented by Kristen Mother Nature is the ultimate DIY-er. Following her lead, we can fix many of the issues that plague us as landowners. This presentation gives tangible advice for fixing a lot of problems we face in our yards, either with water (too much or not enough!), poor soil, unwanted pests, trouble spots, and regeneration of depleted areas. Plants and Pollinators Bring on the bugs! presented by Kristen Plants and Pollinators gets more specific about the species of insects you might see when you add certain plants to your landscape. We discuss the different ways insects interact with plants and use them for habitat. The focus is often on bees and butterflies, but we introduce other pollinators such as ants, wasps, and other organisms. Saving Native Seed The whys , hows , wheres , and whats of saving native seed. presented by Britt We will take you through the whys, hows, wheres, and whats of saving native seed. From best collecting methods, cleaning, to winter sowing. And of course we will chat "why native". Join us for this presentation and bring home the knowledge to save and grow from seed. ( Please note this presentation is available between the months of August - October.) Garden for Life Using Native Plants in the Landscape. presented by Kristen Native plants have immense value outside of just looking pretty. Having bountiful native plants in your garden helps to support beneficial insects, serves to conserve and improve water, reduces dependency on pesticides, and so much more. We will discuss why it is important to choose native plants, how to choose the best plants for your space, and how to care for your garden. Climate Conscious Gardening Building Sustainable Landscapes presented by Kristen Having just experienced the 4th hottest and driest summer on record (Really? Only the 4th!) many gardeners are looking forlornly at their parched landscapes and wondering if they are going to be able to enjoy gardening again as these climate trends continue. Kristen Nicholson from Blue Stem Natives has some sustainable, affordable, and fun! options for building a gorgeous living landscape, presenting plant choices and landscaping techniques that will help ensure your garden will be able to survive both deluges and droughts for many years to come.

  • photo contest winners | Blue Stem Natives

    > Learn > photo contest winners > Photo Contest Winners February, 2025: Our "Spring Dreaming" photo contest winners, click on any photo for more information. Rules: The photo had to include a U.S. native plant. Wildlife in the photo was encouraged, but not required. If you missed this contest, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of any page on our website!

  • BSN Reward Points | Blue Stem Natives

    Earn and redeem BSN Rewards Points when shopping New England native plants, seeds, and garden goods with Blue Stem Natives. BSN Reward Points Earn points and turn them into rewards Become a Member 01 Sign Up Sign up as a member to start enjoying the loyalty program 02 Earn Points Purchase a product Get 1 point for every $1 spent 03 Redeem Rewards BSN REWARD 200 Points = $10 off a specific category THIS IS ON HOLD WHILE WE WORK OUT DETAILS Participation in Blue Stem Natives' Loyalty Program is bound by Terms and Conditions

  • Find us | Blue Stem Natives

    Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Meet The Team Contact Us Location Village Gardens 376 Washington Street Norwell, Massachusetts 02061 - Rear lot E-mail info@BlueStemNatives.com Phone (781) 738-4869 (call or text) Hours Early May - mid October Tuesday - Friday: 10am-6p m Saturday + Sunday: 10am- 5pm Closed on Mondays always open online! November-April Closed except for workshops and events > Find us > Social Media How Can We Help? Submit the contact from below or click the "F.A.Q." button to find frequently asked questions. It is a comprehensive list! F.A.Q. Can’t find an answer on the website? Contact us here: Email Subject Your message Please allow a few days for a reply Send Thanks for submitting! Just a few of the F.A.Q.s "What should I plant?" Check out What to Plant for lists and ideas or sign up for our Garden Consultations to have some one-on-one planning time. "What species do you carry" or "when will they be ready"? Check the plants page for species. If something is "coming soon" you can sign up for notification when we re-stock. "Do you do native plant garden design?" We do not offer landscape design at this point. We do offer ecological consultations, and have complied a list of great landscapers and designers. More information here.

  • Rabbit Resistant | Blue Stem Natives

    New England native plants designed for rain gardens that manage stormwater while supporting pollinators. > Rabbit Resistant > What to Plant: Rabbit Resistant Native Plants Many native plants have developed natural defenses over thousands of years, including strong scents, tough textures, and bitter compounds that rabbits tend to pass over in favor of easier meals. The plants on this list lean into those natural deterrents, making them good choices where rabbits are regular visitors. Planting thickly helps too. A single plant on its own is a little like setting out a meal; a full, generous planting means rabbits can nibble here and there without you ever noticing. Just keep in mind that "rabbit resistant" is never the same as "rabbit proof," and a hungry rabbit has been known to make exceptions. Further Reading How to stop bunnies from eating your pollinator garden, Tufts Pollinator Initiative

LOCATION

Located in Massachusetts

Serving New England gardeners

376 Washington Street
Norwell, MA 02061

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HOURS

Tuesday - Friday: 10am-6pm

Saturday + Sunday: 10am-5pm

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