resources
Featured Resources
PA DCNR Native Plant Guide – Native plant lists, garden templates, and sourcing guides.
PA Native Plant Society – Identification tools, conservation strategies, and eco-gardening techniques.
PA Natural Heritage Program– Checklist of native and introduced plant species in Pennsylvania.
Native Plant Information Sheets
Native Plant Information Sheets - - PSU Master Gardener native plant lists for specific light and soil conditions or ecological functions
Native Replacements for Invasive Plants – Eco-friendly alternatives to harmful non-native species.
Plant Lists - Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC – Plant lists sorted by soil conditions, specific uses, and specific ecological functions
Online Courses & Educational Guides
Plant Identification and Usage: Native Plants – Covers native plants in Pennsylvania and their landscape uses.
Pennsylvania Native Plants for the Perennial Garden – Incorporating native perennials into gardens for habitat restoration.
Native Plant Site Solutions for Backyard Habitat | Grow Native Massachusetts- Introduction to designing with native plants and supporting wildlife; includes site assessment guidance and example planting plans (out-of-state resource).
Where to Buy Native Plants
Looking for native trees, shrubs, and perennials to support biodiversity and sustainable landscaping? Explore these nurseries specializing in Mid-Atlantic and Pennsylvania native plants:
Nearby Nurseries with Limited Native Selection:
Richard’s Tree Farm – Offers a selection of trees and shrubs, including some native species.
Brick House Garden Center– Features ornamental plants, landscaping supplies, and select native options.
Nurseries Specializing in Native Plants:
Wild Ridge Plants, LLC – Native plant nursery and ecological restoration specialists.
Holly Days Nursery – Stocks native shrubs, trees, and perennials.
Catskill Native Nursery – Dedicated to North American native plants with a focus on ecological landscaping.
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC – Specializing in plants native to the Mid-Atlantic ecosystem.
Online Ordering Options:
Ernst Conservation Seeds – Offers hundreds of species of native & naturalized seeds for habitat restoration.
Plumline Nursery – Garden center with native tree and shrub selections.
National Wildlife Federation - Garden for Wildlife – Offers native plants curated for pollinators and wildlife conservation.
Izel Native Plants – A diverse online catalog of native perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees for ecological restoration and landscaping.
American Meadows – Supplies native grass seeds, meadow flowers, and eco-friendly landscaping materials.
Books on Native Plants
Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast – Ruth Rogers Clausen & Gregory D. Tepper. Guide to deer-resistant native plants with landscaping strategies.
The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden – Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy. How to design landscapes that balance beauty and ecological health.
Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants – Doug Tallamy. Highlights the importance of native plants for sustaining biodiversity.
The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden – Uli Lorimer. A visually rich guide covering native plants suitable for the Northeast.
Books on Forestry & Ecology
The Poconos: An Illustrated Natural History Guide – Jack P. Armstrong. Covers forest ecosystems, wildlife, and geology of the region.
Pennsylvania Native Trees and Shrubs – PA DCNR publication covering native tree species and their ecological importance.
Books for Young Readers
How the Forest Grew – Explains forest ecosystems and how they evolve over time.
A Tree for All Seasons – National Geographic Kids book on tree growth throughout the year.
Because of an Acorn – Illustrates how one small seed supports an entire ecosystem.
Over and Under the Pond – Kate Messner. Explores the hidden life in ponds, wetlands, and shorelines.
The Big Book of Bugs – Yuval Zommer. Brightly illustrated guide to insects and pollinators.