Celebrating our Colonial Roots
Shop our Online Plant Sale April 17 - 24th and pick up May 1st.
Many of the plants in our Spring Plant Sale are native to southeastern North Carolina and were already thriving here when Brunswick County’s earliest settlers arrived. They shaped colonial gardens, kitchens, medicine chests, and daily life—and remarkably, they are still growing alongside us today. These are our favorite plants not only for their beauty and fragrance, but because they belong here. Native plants and their cultivars which continue to support pollinators but may have, for instance, a special adaptation for disease resistance, are the majority of plants we are offering to you in our Spring 2026 Sale. The plants descriptions have been expanded to cover more information on the growing needs, wildlife value, and historical value of each plant.
By choosing plants with deep roots in our region’s history, you are doing more than planting a garden, you are restoring habitat. Many of these same plants that sustained people in the Colonial period continue to sustain pollinators and wildlife today, helping to strengthen ecosystems that have evolved alongside them for generations. Adapted to our soils, climate, and seasons, they are naturally resilient and require fewer inputs to thrive. Just as importantly, they support the web of life that depends on them—providing nectar, pollen, seeds, and shelter for native bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
To help guide your plant selections, we’ve created a series of short companion articles linked below. Native vs Non-Native - What is the Difference? explains how plant origin affects garden performance and ecological value. Hybrids, Cultivars, and Natives Explained clarifies common plant terminology to support informed choices. The The Wildlife Value of Plantsexplores the benefit of plants to pollinators, mammals, and other wildlife dependent on them for forage and homes. Wings Over the Coast details butterfly species typically found in Brunswick County and their favorite nectar and larval host plants. Finally, Plant Connections to the Gullah Geechee highlights the deep connections between plants, culture, and place.
We hope you enjoy the information we have assembled and find the site organized and easy to navigate. The plants descriptions have been expanded to cover more information on the growing needs, wildlife value, and historical value of each plant. This is a special sale for us as we celebrate our 250th year as a country and the role plants play in telling our shared story. Together, these resources connect plants, people, and history—helping you choose plants that are well-suited to our region and supportive of pollinators and wildlife.
Grow the past. Sustain the future.
Shop our Online Plant Sale April 17 - 24th and pick up May 1st.