At Natural Themes we aim to help you select the right native species for your site, project and preferences. Below are native plant species suggestions for various types of planting projects.
We also offer site consultations and planting services, if interested contact maya@naturalthemes.com to inquire.
RESOURCES
To help you select the most suitable native plants for your site, project goals and preferences.
Why Native Plants and Naturalization?
Our yards are excellent locations for helping re-establish natural communities that existed here prior to European settlement. Development threatens global ecology as more and more species are being pushed out of their natural environments. The loss of any species results in irreversible effects on all others, including us.
Over thousands of years, species have developed adaptations to thrive in this climate and environment. Every native species is closely interconnected with all other plants and animals in their communities. Bringing back threatened native plant species will gradually allow wildlife dependent on them to return.
How to Select Species
Assess the area you would like to naturalize:
- Determine if it is sunny, shaded, or partly shaded.
- Evaluate if the soil is moist, moderate/mesic (not too dry and not too wet), or dry.
- Select species accordingly. Many plants will tolerate a variety of conditions.
To research which native plants would grow in your yard, visit natural places in parks and conservation areas nearby that resemble your yard. Please don’t take plants from the wilderness—these plants are essential in their natural spaces to support the wildlife that depends on them and to ensure continued seed production and natural propagation.
Natural Themes Native Plant Nursery Practices
At Natural Themes Native Plant Nursery, we primarily grow our stock using:
- Seed collection: Seeds are collected from our farms, propagation beds, and natural areas with permission from landowners. ( Learn more about our seed collection practices here.)
- Propagation by cuttings and division: Plants are propagated by taking cuttings or dividing plants in the Natural Themes gardens.
We also source stock from:
- Purchases from trusted suppliers.
- Rescue efforts: Plants are collected from tractor trails and edges of fields where they are threatened by vehicle use and farming operations.