Resources for Native Plants:
- Doug Tallamy, Professor T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. Featured in Nature’s Best Hope video, an eloquent explanation of why natives are essential to the ecosystem. Tallamy has written several books and is co-founder of the “Homegrown National Park” initiative.
- RI Native Plant Guide – Developed by the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension and the Rhode Island Natural History Survey
- RI Wild Plant Society – Excellent newsletter, native plant guides, spring and fall native plant sales (see section below)
- Xerces Society, Pollinator Conservation Resources: Northeast Region – Great printable “short” list of plants for our region that are great for bees and other pollinators. Print the list and take it with you to the nursery!
- Native Plant Trust Garden Plant Finder – Great resource for planning and selecting native plants for a pollinator and bird friendly garden; includes useful key terms that make selection of plants easy (e.g. sun/shade, height, bloom color). You can also choose to search for “pollinator powerhouse” plants to find the plants with the most impact on biodiversity.
- National Wildlife Federation Keystone Plants by Ecoregion – Do you want the 30 best plants for biodiversity in our region? These plants support the most pollinators, caterpillars and birds.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database Planner – Includes search terms and helpful pictures of plants
- Mt. Cuba Center – Great resource on Hydrangeas with focus on pollinator friendly species. They have the data on which hydrangeas received the most pollinator visits.
Native Plant Nurseries:
- Blue Moon Farm Perennials – 173 Saugatucket Rd, Wakefield, RI, (401) 284-2369
- Rose Shack – 2363 Tower Hill Rd, Saunderstown, RI, (401) 294-6088 – has natives section
- The Farmer’s Daughter – 716 Mooresfield Rd, South Kingstown, RI, (401) 792-1340 – has natives section
- Westerly Agway – 31 Friendship St., Westerly, RI 02891, (401) 596-5059 – has natives section
Native Plant Sales* (2025 dates):
The RI Wild Plant Society holds native plant sales two times per year. A dedicated group within the Society grow and contribute all of the plants for the sale. Members are provided early access on sales day (from 8am-9am), prior to the sale opening up to the public (9am-11am).
Membership is not expensive @ $40 / year, although you can also just sign up for the Mailing List. Just go to the website to get exact dates and locations for the sales each year
- Spring Native Plant Sale: Held in early May each year and features spring ephemerals and early blooms. May 10th, 9am – 2pm, Casey Farm, Farmers Market, 2325 Boston Neck Road, Saunderstown
- Fall Native Plant Sale: Held in late August/early September each year and features late blooming plants. September 6th, 10am – 12pm, Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston
*Proceeds support the work of Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Additional “Core” Q Gardens and Landscapes Resources