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Native plants are those that have evolved in a certain area over thousands of years. These plants have formed strong evolutionary relationships with the other plants, animals, climate, and insects of the area. Here at WMG we grow plants that are native to New York and the Northeast.
Native plants are incredibly important for a variety of reasons. They provide nectar and pollen for insects, food for birds, and habitat for wildlife. They are host plants for many butterfly and moth caterpillars (without these plants- we would have no butterflies). Native plants have deep root systems which provide erosion control, enhance soil quality/health, and clean and filter stormwater runoff.
Native plants are also beautiful, contribute to biodiversity, and support our ecosystem.
Since native plants are adapted to our climate and our soils, they are less work for you! Picking the right plant for the right place means less watering, no fertilizing, and reducing the use of natural resources.
No matter the size of your space (patio, balcony, mailbox, front garden, back yard) there are some perfect native plants for you! We will help you find plants for any sun and soil conditions, and help you design containers if you only have a small space to offer. Using native plants in any way will make a big difference to pollinators and our ecosystem!
No problem! We are here to help. We can provide you with resources, guides, and advice in a friendly way. Whether you are an absolute beginner or have been gardening for years, we all have to start somewhere. We are more than happy to help you on your gardening journey!
A cultivar means "cultivated variety". These plants have been propagated by horticulturalists and selected for certain traits. These plants may have showier flowers, shorter stature, longer bloom times, or disease resistance. These plants can be absolutely beautiful, but with all those changes, the nectar and pollen that these species once produced might have been bred out too. These plants usually provide little benefit to pollinators.
A "nativar" is another term for a cultivar of a native plant. When referring to native plants that have been bred for certain traits, either term (cultivar vs. nativar) is appropriate.
Yes! You can absolutely grow your favorite plants, even if they aren't native to our region. We should try our best to use more natives since they support our pollinators and are adapted to our ecosystem. We can use cultivars, but they might not provide the needed support for pollinators. When you grow cultivars in your garden, they'll be there for your enjoyment- which is okay too!
Avoid purchasing, planting, and growing invasive non-native species. These plants pose a huge threat to our environment. Some of these invasive species include Burning Bush, Norway Maple, and English Ivy.
Find us at the Syracuse Regional Market on Saturdays!
Find us at the Reeves Farm Fruit stand (located on the West Side of Baldwinsville) May-October!
Stop by our retail greenhouse on the West Side of Baldwinsville!
Here at WMG we sell a variety of native perennials, annuals, shrubs, and trees. We also offer a selection of non-native pollinator friendly herbs and annuals that will benefit insects, but will not harm the environment.
Ideally, seeds are collected wildly and locally to protect the genetic diversity of our plants. Although many of our seeds are collected in this way, we also purchase seeds through reputable companies such as Ernst Seeds, Prairie Moon Nursery, and Prairie Nursery. Because there is such a shortage of native plants in our area, we believe growing plants from seeds from a slightly different area is a great trade-off.
At WMG we are 100% pesticide free. We do not spray or use any type of insecticide, pesticide, or herbicide on our plants.
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