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About the Wild Plant Nursery

The Wild Plant Nursery is a unique resource for ecological restoration in the greater Washington, DC, area. Established in 2001 in Springfield, Virginia, under an agreement with the Fairfax County Park Authority, the nursery is the region's most comprehensive source of local, wild native-plant material (“local ecotypes”). The use of local ecotypes is a standard best practice in ecological restoration because that helps to safeguard genetic diversity and local adaptation in the species planted. The nursery is currently working with about 340 species, some uncommon or rare in the wild in this region. For many of these species, our nursery is the DC area’s only source of production — local ecotype or otherwise. All plants are grown from seed (or spores) that we ourselves collect, from over 50 local natural areas. (We collect only with permission.) The nursery serves our own planting programs, as well as those of area governments, schools, businesses, and other conservation nonprofits. We rely on volunteers to run the nursery! To join us, check the Volunteer page for our Field Schedule. Please note that our nursery and office addresses are different. The Wild Plant Nursery is located at 6100 Cloud Dr. in Grove Point Park (formerly known as Franconia Park), Springfield. Our office is located in Annandale, but is not open for plant sales. See detailed directions to the nursery below. Please note: The Wild Plant Nursery only has gravel/mulched paths. For customers with limited mobility, our staff is happy to help carry plants or waive our pick up fee for online orders. 

How to Buy Plants:

In-Person Shopping Hours:

Sundays 9am to 1pm

Mondays 9am to 1pm

Wednesdays 9am to 1pm

The Wild Plant Nursery will be closed Monday 8/14 for Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Online Orders:

In order to better focus on our conservation projects, we're limiting online orders for private lands to orders of 30 pots or more and assessing a $25 fee per order. (There is no minimum order or fee for online orders for public lands.) Online orders can be picked up outside of our regular shopping hours, however we generally need at least a week's notice. If you have any questions about online orders, please email orders@earthsangha.org.

Old Pots?
We can reuse quart and gallon sized pots, plug trays, and carrying trays in good condition. Please feel free to drop them off in our Pot Drop Off Bins adjacent to our pot storage area.

Directions to the Nursery

The Wild Plant Nursery is located off 6100 Cloud Drive in Grove Point Park (formerly known as Franconia Park) in Springfield, Virginia. 

 

Access is from FranconiRoad (644). From Franconia, turn north on Thomas Drive. (There is a traffic light at Thomas and Franconia. Thomas is less than half a mile east of the 395/95 intersection.) From Thomas Drive, turn right onto Meriwether Lane. Turn left onto Cloud Drive. There is a park entrance at the end of Cloud. Please park in the parking lot at the bottom of the entrance road, then walk down the gravel road along the community gardens. Our nursery lies beyond the community gardens.

 

Pricing:

Trees, shrubs, and woody vines: Gallon​

  • Non-member $20 

  • Member $15

  • Public Lands $10 (Fairfax County owned properties qualify for further discounts. Please email us at orders@earthsangha.org.)

Herbaceous: Quart pots 

  • Non-member $8 

  • Member $6

  • Public Lands $4 (Fairfax County owned properties qualify for further discounts. Please email us at orders@earthsangha.org.)

Herbaceous: Plugs (Plugs are purchased by the tray (21 or 50 cell trays) and cannot be purchased individually.)

  • Non-member $2/plug

  • Member $1.50/plug

  • Public Lands $1.00/plug (Fairfax County owned properties qualify for further discounts. Please email us at orders@earthsangha.org.)

Earth Sangha members qualify for discount prices of 25% off per pot and $0.25 off per plug. Membership starts at $35 per year. You can become a member at the nursery, or use our Donate page.

For Home Gardeners and Hobbyists:

 

Native plants make attractive and hardy additions to the home garden. They provide habitat for native wildlife, including songbirds and butterflies. You can purchase plants by appointment at the Wild Plant Nursery or place an order online for curbside pick up. Please email us at orders@earthsangha.org to place an order or for help developing your species list. For advice on how to get start with native plants, suggested species list, and more, visit our Compendium Page. 

For Natural Resources Professionals:

 

We can supply plants for your restoration project. All our plants are 100% local ecotype, grown from seed or spores collected in the wild; we do not sell cultivars or stock of unknown provenance. We can also help select appropriate species for your project and we may be able to offer on-site assistance. We offer discounted rates for local restoration projects and can work with within your budget. If you are a natural areas manager or conservationist in the Washington, DC, region, we would be interested in hearing about your planting needs. To organize an order for your project, please contact us as early in your planning process as possible!

For Educators:

 

Native plant gardens are a great tool for teaching students about local ecosystems and fostering environmental stewardship. We have over a decade of experience in supplying DC-area schools with native plants. We can also offer advice on how to landscape with natives. If your school is organizing a native plant garden, please contact us as early in your planning process as possible. Click here to download our Wild Garden Manual for information on how to plan your native plant garden and our discounted school kits. We would also be happy to host your students at the nursery or one of our field sites, for a hands-on, educational field trip. Please email Maddie at mbright@earthsangha.org to schedule a visit. 

Earth Sangha's Native Plant Compendium

Aren't sure where to start? To better refine plant selection, check out our Native Plant Compendium – an online resource that lists all the species we have in propagation at our Wild Plant and where best to plant them.

Sunday Morning Botany Club

Join us Sundays from mid-Fall through Winter for Sunday Morning Botany Club with our Executive Director, Maddie Bright.

Every Sunday morning at 8am, Maddie will lead a short discussion, presentation, or share ideas, readings, or research on a topic of her choice with interested early birds. Sunday Morning Botany Club will be at our Wild Plant Nursery and is open to all who want to attend (up to a maximum of 20 people) at no cost. We'll provide hot beverages, we ask that you consider bringing a light snack or something to share. After we wrap up you're welcome to join us to volunteer, buy plants, wander around, or head home.

Banner: Customers at the Wild Plant Nursery during the 2013 Fall Open House and Plant Sale. Photo by Chris Bright.

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