Got Plants?

My husband and I were given a copy of Bringing Nature Home by Douglas W. Tallamy a few years ago by his Uncles Chris and Bob. It truly changed our outlook on gardening and put us soundly on the side to plant native. Native plants have so many advantages; they are suited for the climate of your area, able to better defend against local pests, and gobble up less resources like water or fertilizer. We have never had to water a native past its first season while it is getting established, even during dry spells. How's that for xeriscaping?

We ran into one problem, though. Our local garden centers (even the non-big-box store varieties) didn't carry New Jersey natives. Apparently, the Asian varietals (miserable invasives like Japanese honeysuckle, for example) are far more popular. I was told that no one wanted the native hydrangea, which makes white blooms instead of the pink/blue of the Asian ones.

The white blooms of Hydrangea arborescens can get as big as my head!


My parents have one of these, Hydrangea macrophylla. It is a glutton for water and needs to be soaked daily during the heat of the summer.

Enter Forest Farm, a spectacular business all the way out in Oregon. It was so exciting to receive an enormous catalog chock-full of NJ natives (plus tons of other things) from all the way out west. So, we placed an order to give them a try. Four orders and four garden plots later, we are very satisfied customers.

I can honestly say that the quality of plant matter that they sell is superior to anything else I have been able to purchase, whether locally or through mail order. Ray, one of the owners, has been really helpful over e-mail when I need assistance selecting a plant. Everything is delivered on time, in excellent condition, with detailed instructions on how to care for the plant.

If you are looking for a plant you can't get in your area, please try Forest Farm - you will be glad you did.