This season several nurseries in Maine joined forces to create a native plant grower’s cooperative. While operating independently, the coop members are working toward the shared goal of contributing to healthier, more resilient landscapes. They offer native and beneficial species suited to Maine, with growing practices rooted in regenerative agriculture.
“We’re excited to work with our fellow smaller nursery producers in a more organized way — we all stand to benefit from working together,” Aaron Parker from Edgewood Nursery said.
Across Maine, interest in native plants has grown as homeowners, municipalities, and conservation organizations look for ways to support pollinators, improve wildlife habitat, and build landscapes that are better adapted to local conditions. By working together, the Maine Native Plant Cooperative can offer a wider selection of locally grown species, share knowledge and resources and make it easier for customers to find native plants that are ethically propagated and suited to Maine’s climate.
The MNPC also prioritizes education as part of their overall goal, helping customers learn about new species and why native plants are beneficial.
“I choose to grow under-utilized native plants and love showing gardeners how wonderful they can be in their gardens,” Astrid Bowlby from Honey Petal Plants said. The coop members are geographically diverse ranging from Limington in the South, to Bristol in the Midcoast and Brooklin, Downeast. A map of the MNPC nurseries can be found on their website.
Their first collaborative plant sale will take place on Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at 12 Round Top Lane, Damariscotta, in partnership with Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. The event will feature a diverse range of native plant species, some of which can be difficult to find, both in the wild and in commercial nurseries.
“Native plants aren’t usually well-represented in the bigger nurseries. For us, native species are truly the star of the show,” Sam Olvera from Radical Roots Nursery said. The Maine Native Plant Cooperative invites gardeners, landscapers, and anyone interested in supporting healthier Maine landscapes to attend the Aug. 22 plant sale, meet local growers, and discover a wide range of regionally grown native plants.
Check out their website (https://www.mainenativeplantcoop.org) or follow @mainenativeplantcoop on Instagram to learn more about the nurseries involved, their commitment to ethical growing practices, and where to find them throughout the growing season.