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Shop locally grown New England native plants, seeds, and garden goods in Massachusetts at Blue Stem Natives. Women-owned business. Supporting pollinators, birds, and healthy ecosystems. New England Native Plants for Every Project Plants for homeowners, landscapers, towns & designers — Located in Norwell, Massachusetts Shop Plants Shop Seeds Current Inventory Visit Us Why Native? Native plants support wildlife, strengthen ecosystems, and thrive in local conditions. • Eco-friendly & sustainable • Resilient in volatile weather • Provide essential food & habitat • Restore healthy soil & ecosystems Favorite Plants Looking for a place to start? For At-Risk Wildlife Hummingbird Favorites Sunny+Dry Deer Resistant Groundcovers Rabbit Resistant TESTIMONIALS

Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. The Habitat Project, an Annual Giveaway! Applications are closed for 2026 Blue Stem Natives is giving away $525 or more in native plants to one non-profit organization this fall. The selected organization will also receive an in-person site consult (a $400 value)** along with recommendations for choosing the right native species for their site and goals. In 2025, Blue Stem Natives donated $525 in plants to fund this giveaway. In 2026, we will match that, and we're also opening it up to retail customers who want to help grow the total. Want to donate a plant or two? You can do so here (and thank you). Alternatively, if we receive enough plant donations we will open this giveaway up to two recipients. **Consults will be held via Zoom if the project site is too far from Norwell. Timing Applications will be accepted mid July 16, 2026 through mid August 16, 2026. Winner will be announced on September 1, 2026. If your organization is selected, plants will need to be picked up within two weeks of September 1, 2026. Who Can Apply? ✅ Non-profit organizations, schools, libraries, community groups, municipalities, and similar organizations. What Are We Looking For? We use a rubric to assess applications, based on the following criteria: Community Impact - Does the project educate the public, engage the community, and/or expand access to native plants and habitat? Site Suitability - Is there a clear, realistic maintenance plan? Is the site free of invasive plants (or is there a solid plan to handle them)? Is it easily accessible for upkeep and visits? Project Goal & Innovation - Does the project support pollinators, remediation, or ecological restoration? Is it creative or innovative? The Details Plants must be picked up at our location; we do not ship. We can't provide planting or upkeep services, but we're happy to advise on site prep and planting. Plants will be provided as one-quart pots, landscape plugs, or a mix of both, based on the project's needs. Plants larger than these sizes are not included. No purchase necessary to apply. Plants will not be replaced due to loss and cannot be returned for cash or credit. Thanks to all who submitted applications for the Habitat Project in 2025. Want to see who received last year's grant? Visit Eastie Farm on Instagram here . CLOSED FOR 2026* Town* Applicant's name* Applicant's position or relation the the group* Applicant Email* Phone number* Describe potential site including sun, soil, accessibility, and any challenges (e.g. invasive plants being removed)* Has the head of the organization, head of land care, or land owner granted approval for applying for plants?* Mission of Your Organization* How will a native garden enrich your organization’s mission?* Who will prepare the site and install the plants?* Who will take care of watering and weeding for at least two years?* optional: a photo of the site Upload File Submit

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Understand germination codes for New England native seeds, including cold stratification and other requirements for success. Seed Stratification Codes Home > Seeds > Seed Sowing Stratification Codes Most native seeds need "cold, moist stratification". That just means winter...OR a winter-like experience. See the codes below to see how to ":unlock" the germination in seed you purchase from us. More details about winter seed sowing can be found here. As an example, if you seed has code "A" on it you can plant any time, no win ter needed. If your seed has code C(60) on it, that means it needs a 60 days period of cold, moist "weather". Feel free to email us with any questions. A: Seed should germinate when sown in a warm location. B: Hot water treatment: Bring water to a boil, remove from heat, pour over seeds, and soak for 24 hours.. Generally this is for seed with a thick seedcoat. C: (# of days of cold moist stratification) Seeds germinate after a period of cold, moist stratification. Mix seeds with a handful of damp vermiculite or clean sand (moist—but not wet). Place mixture in a sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator, NOT the freezer. D: Sow on the surface of the soil. Generally these seeds are very small. E: These seeds need a 60-90 day warm, moist period followed by a 60-90 day cold, moist period. F: These seeds need a 60-90 day cold, moist period followed by a 60-90 day warm, moist period followed by a 2nd cold, 60-90 day moist period. G: Highest germination rate in cool soil. H: Seeds need scarification: One way this can be achieved is to rub the seed between two sheets of sand paper. If code "C" is also called for, scarify first. I: Legume Inoculant (more info next year) J: Legume seeds (more info next year) K: Parasitic species which needs a host plant L: Plant fresh seed or keep seed moist M: Best results when seed sown outdoors in the fall for a natural winter.

Blue Stem Natives is an ecologically thoughtful native plant nursery serving southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Ecological Garden Consultations Want to bring more ecological balance, beauty, and habitat to your landscape? Our Ecological Garden Consultations help you understand what plants to keep, what to remove, and what to add so your garden can thrive with less maintenance and more wildlife. _________________________________ _________ _____ Your Personalized Report Within two weeks, you'll receive: A curated list of plants that suit your conditions Notes on what to keep or remove Seasonal recommendations Habitat opportunities you may not have noticed This report gives you a clear roadmap — whether you want to make changes gradually or all at once. _________________________________ _________ _____ Where We Travel Consultations are available to properties within 30 miles of Norwell or Foxborough. _________________________________ _________ _____ Seasonality We offer consultations Spring through Fall, when we can accurately identify what’s growing on your property. _________________________________ _________ _____ Ready to Book? 📧 info@bluestemnatives.com _________________________________ _________ _____ Consultation at a Glance Duration: 45–60 minutes Cost: $400 Report: Included When: Spring–Fall Where: Within 30 miles _______________________________________________ What’s Included During your consultation, we’ll walk your property and evaluate: Sun, soil, and moisture conditions Existing native plants Any invasive or problematic plants Opportunities to boost habitat and resilience You’ll get clear, practical guidance to help you move toward an ecological, functional, and beautiful native plant garden. >Please note: We do not design gardens or install plantings, but we do provide detailed plant guidance and a customized follow-up report. _________________________________ _________ _____ Timing Consultations typically take 45–60 minutes, depending on property size. You don’t have to be present, but we do recommend it so we can talk through goals and questions in real time. _________________________________ _________ _____ Cost Consultations are $400, which includes: A $150 deposit at booking Balance due at visit A customized written report Email follow-up as needed >If you need to cancel, please let us know 24 hours in advance for a full refund of your deposit. _________________________________ _________ _____

Step-by-step instructions for sowing New England native seeds, including timing, methods, and tips for successful germination. > Seed sowing > Seed Sowing Long story short... most native seeds need winter to unlock their ability to germinate. Most native seeds need cold, moist stratification—in other words, winter (or something that mimics it). If seeds sprouted right after falling in autumn, the seedlings would be killed by frost. Instead, native plants evolved to wait through winter before germinating. This built-in timing mechanism increases chances of survival. Below are some of the most common ways to provide this cold, moist stratification. You’ll also find specific guidance for our seed mixes through the links below. Seed Stratification Codes – A quick reference to understand species' needs. Lawn Mix Instructions – Step-by-step directions for sowing our “Friendly Lawn” blend. Seed Mix Instructions – Guidance for other mixes, like “Shady Characters” or Meadow Mixes. A Few Options for Sowing: #1 Do as nature does Sow native seeds in fall so they experience winter to unlock their ability to germinate in the spring. Sow into at least 50% bare soil at the right depth. If depth isn’t a concern, seeds can even be scattered on snow. Pros: Simple method; no need for transplanting. Cons: Usually lower germination; seedlings can be hard to distinguish from weeds; requires a reasonably prepared site; seeds may shift with snow or rain. #2 Contain it Sow seeds in pots or seedling trays and place them outside in a semi-protected spot for the winter (out of direct sun, such as under a bench, but not in a warm shed). Cover with hardware mesh to keep critters out, securing it with a brick or wood. Be sure the soil surface is still exposed so it can receive snow and moisture. Pros: Simple; higher germination and more control than method #1. Cons: Requires more effort than method #1; seedlings must be transplanted; protection from critters is essential. #3 Milk jug winter sowing Milk jugs provide winter protection from critters and act as mini greenhouses in late winter and early spring. To prepare: cut the jug almost in half, leaving a 1–2 inch “hinge.” Poke drainage holes in the bottom, add 2–3 inches of soil, water, then sow your seeds. Close the jug, secure with duct tape around the cut, and remove the cap. Place the jugs outside in a shaded spot for the winter. Pros: Strong protection; reliable germination; no wire mesh needed; lots of guidance available online. Cons: Requires preparing jugs; seedlings must be transplanted. #4 Winter in your fridge You can give your seeds the cold and moisture they need to be able to germinate...in your fridge. Put your seeds in a plastic ziplock baggie with a handful of damp (NOT wet) vermiculite or clean sand. Label well. Put in the fridge, not the freezer. Sow in the spring. PROS: Good control. You can sow in the spring. CONS: More work. Taking up room in your fridge. Let's talk ferns...and forget everything you've read above... Ferns have their own fascinating way of reproducing, and are relatively unchanged for hundreds of thousands of years. Here's one method to get them started, from American Fern Society . "Nine Easy (if you are patient) Steps for Growing Ferns: 1) You will need a clear plastic container like the ones supermarkets use for cakes or cupcakes. This will ensure high humidity. 2) The potting soil must be good quality. 3) After putting the soil in the container dampen it. It should feel like the humus soil you would feel in an oak forest. Not too damp not too dry. To kill bacteria and fungal spores place the container in a microwave oven and heat for 3-5 minutes (until it is steaming pretty good). Be careful, too long and the container will begin to melt. Then let the soil cool for about an hour. 4) Sprinkle the spores on top of the soil , just enough so that you can see some of the powdery spores wafting down and put the container near a window. Up close for a north facing window, back a foot or so for south facing window (reverse this in the Southern Hemisphere). 5) Wait. It will be 6-8 weeks until you see anything. Then you will see small flat leaflike plants, "prothallia" that will grow to about 3/8 inches across. If there are a lot growing close together they must be thinned out to about 1 or 2 per 3" area. If not they will only grow male organs. During this time make sure the potting soil in the container does not dry out.. You should check the soil every week or so. 6) When the Prothallia get to 3/8" it will grow male and female organs. The male organ will make sperm which will swim to the female part and fertilize the egg. The egg will then grow into the fern plant that we see, called the "Sporophyte". During this time the prothallia should be sprinkled with water so that the sperm will be able to swim to the egg. 7) After another 6-8 weeks you will see little ferns come up; the first frond will be about 1/2" tall. Thin them out so they are about 3" apart. 8) In the spring give them a long time to adjust to the dry outside air by opening the top of your container a little bit each day. The open time should increase more and more for two weeks. If they look bad, close it up again until they recover, then try again. This is where I lose the most ferns; they have a hard time adjusting. 9) Plant them in a mostly shady spot, but not too shady. They are very fussy so keep an eye on them quite frequently for the first year."

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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

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

Native plants for slope stabilization in New England, helping prevent erosion and improve soil structure. > Slope Stabilization > What to Plant: Native Plants for Slope Stabilization Slopes present an interesting set of challenges. Some are gentle and easier to manage, while others can be quite steep and difficult to maintain. There is often a gradient of sun and water changes, and soil erosion is a factor as well. These native plants can help with all of these issues as well as provide wildlife habitat and beauty for our eyes at the same time. Further Reading PDF: "Planting Vegetation to Reduce Erosion and Storm Damage" , Massachusetts Office of Coastal Management online: "Landscaping a Coastal Bank", Mass.gov PDF: "The Massachusetts Buffer Manual" , The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

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 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)

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

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

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!

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

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