It’s SO amazing watching all those native plants go out the door to their new homes, where they’ll provide infinite benefits to our local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. You are ALL contributing to such a great cause by choosing native 
Here’s a few of the plants that are catching our eye this week! We don’t always have them. Stop in soon if you are interested. We do not have milkweeds yet — its too cold! They need a few weeks of warm to hot weather before they break dormancy.
Actaea pachypoda
Doll’s eye, or white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is a unique member of the genus, with its striking white fruits sporting a black dot giving the impression of eyeballs watching you in the woods 
White, fragrant flowers in spring are replaced by greenish berries that ripen to white in late summer or early fall. Flowers are attractive to some native bees but lack nectar, so only provide pollen. Some birds such as grouse and robins will eat the berries, as well as white-footed mice. Most mammalian herbivores do not eat doll’s eyes, but deer and chipmunks will occasionally browse young shoots in spring. Quite a dramatic addition to a shade or woodland garden. Grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Doll’s eyes prefers average to moist, well-drained, organically-rich soils and natural woodland conditions. Soil pH can range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. It does best in filtered or dappled shade but will grow in heavier shade; it does not tolerate full sun or consistently dry soils. This is always a popular plant among our customers, and we’re so happy to have a nice crop at the nursery available now
Carex plantaginea
Good for shade or partial sun in average to moist soils, generally performs best with good drainage but tolerates clay in several of our clients gardens! And yes, we DO have this species now!
Franklinia alatamaha
Today, the tree is still an uncommon, but sought after ornamental species. It’s small size, fall color, fragrant blossoms, and such history make it very desirable. While not native to Pennsylvania, we cannot help but carry this species. It’s rich ties to our home state, along with its “romantic and dramatic” history and horticultural significance just makes this one a special exception. We just love it too much. Sorry purists! 
Plus, it performs well in much of Pennsylvania, though can be a little touchy north of zone 6A. Many people do grow it successfully in zone 5B, but special placement should probably be considered.
Franklinia has a reputation for being finicky. It needs well drained soil (so the banks of the Alatamaha were not exactly ideal). Full sun or light shade are best, along with acidic soil and rich organic matter. It will not grow in clay or compacted soil and leaves will yellow if soil is alkaline. It is not pollution or urban tolerant. When planting, try to disturb its roots as little as possible.
It is not drought tolerant, so be sure to water during dry spells. Because it lacks fibrous roots, any disturbance to its root system can cause stress. Keep root zone covered with an inch or two of mulch (don’t let the mulch touch the trunk).
It doesn’t live a particularly long time – perhaps to about 50 years. There are reports of long-lived specimens, and you may have just the right spot for it. If you are up for a challenge, give it a try.
We have a limited number of Franklin trees now! If you think you might have the right conditions, consider adding one to your landscape!
Mertensia virginica
Come get your bluebells…Virginia bluebells, that is (Mertensia virginica)! A staple of the native spring bloomers! This charming flower blooms in mid-spring, and the whole plant fades away by early summer, only to reappear next spring to do it all over again. Typical behavior of our “spring ephemerals”…if you’re unfamiliar, think daffodils, which also wither by early summer (daffodils aren’t native, but they’re a very familiar example!!)
