Welcome to the Native Plant Nursery Survey Project
The Roanoke Valley Nursery Survey is a project to encourage the sale of more native plants by local garden centers. Members of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, and other individuals visited garden centers in the Roanoke Valley to survey which native plants are offered locally for sale, using the list of plants developed by the Plant SWVA Natives campaign. We hope the survey will promote the value of native plants, encourage the public to ask for more native plants, and encourage garden centers to prompt their suppliers to grow more and a wider variety of native plants.
These results are a snapshot of which native plants and cultivars were sold by nurseries within the Roanoke Valley in 2022, along with our assessment of each cultivar. We hope to update the information as it is made available. The addresses and phone numbers of nurseries in the survey, as well as additional resources, can be found clicking the button.
Please read over these FAQs to understand how to use this information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the purpose of this survey?
A: The survey is intended to help the public find the native plants they want. As interest in native plants grows, we hope this will aid nurseries in knowing what native plants to sell.
Q2: How do you define “native plant”?
A: A plant is native to a particular geographic area when it evolved in conjunction with other flora and fauna in response to the particular geologic and environmental conditions AND without human involvement. A plant introduced to an area by humans, and which has established itself, is considered naturalized, not native.
Q3: What nurseries are covered by this survey?
A: All general nurseries, not including big box stores, within the Roanoke Valley who offer native plants for sale. The list of nurseries and their address can be found here. A link to nurseries in the greater area that specialize in native plants can be found here. They were not included in this survey.
Q4: Who conducted the survey?
A: The Nursery Survey Project was initiated by Sharon Burnham as a project of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, and includes members of the Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, Plant SWVA Natives, and other dedicated gardeners.
Q5: How was the survey conducted?
A: Members of the Nursery Survey Project visited each nursery with a list of native plants. The members surveyed plants available at that time, as well as worked with nursery staff to include native plants that had been or would be sold during the year.
Q6: What was included on the list of native plants?
A: The list focused on plants native to the SWVA mountain region, which can be found here. We also added some plants native to nearby regions, such as the eastern portion of Virginia and North Carolina. These plants are noted as “Regional Native, not a SWVA Native” in the notes for the species. We did not include plants from outside this broader area.
Q7: When was this survey conducted?
A: May and June, 2022.
Q8: Will the survey results be updated?
A: We have asked each nursery to send in updates. They will be posted as received and the date of the update noted at the top of the survey.
Q9: How are the survey results organized?
A: The survey results are in a downloadable excel spreadsheet, which is organized by tabs for each category of plants. Plant are listed alphabetically by scientific name within each category. More information about the information provided is described below.
Q10: Can you explain the terms used in the survey?
A: For each plant, we list the genus and species, the typical common name, and the name of any cultivars. For a plant that is the straight, true native plant, we have put the symbol 🌱beside the plant name. Cultivars or hybrids of native plants are marked with an X.
Q11: What is a cultivar of a native plant?
A: Many nurseries carry cultivars of native plants, rather than the straight species(also known as the "wild type") of a native plant. A cultivar (short for "cultivated variety") is a plant variety that has been selected from a wild plant and propagated by humans for specific traits, such as size, shape, or color. Cultivars may also be developed through plant breeding. All cultivars are propagated by cloning the desirable plant.
Q12: Is a hybrid the same thing as a cultivar?
A: A hybrid is a type of cultivar that results when two different species are crossed with each other to create a totally new plant. We do not consider a hybrid plant to be a native plant.
Q13: Are there any reasons why I should plant the straight species of a native plant rather than a cultivar?
A: There are many reasons to ask for the straight native species, including:
1. Genetic diversity: Cultivars are propagated through cloning, resulting in genetically identical plants. This can lead to a loss of genetic diversity within the population, which can make the species less resilient to diseases and environmental changes. Planting the straight species helps to preserve the genetic diversity within the species.
2. Habitat value: Many native plants provide important food sources for birds, insects, and other wildlife. Cultivars may not have the same value to the creatures that depend on the plant as the straight species.
3. Adaptability: Cultivars may not be as well-adapted to the local environment as the straight species. This can lead to increased maintenance and care requirements, as well as decreased survival rates.
4. Native plant restoration: If you are trying to restore a native plant community, it is generally best to use the straight species rather than cultivars. This will help to ensure that the plant community is as similar as possible to the original ecosystem.
Q14: Are there circumstances where a cultivar might be appropriate?
A: It is always important to carefully consider the specific needs and goals of your garden or restoration project before deciding which plants to use. While straight native species are usually preferable, a cultivar with similar ecological benefits as the straight species may be appropriate in situations where the straight species is not available, in small gardens where space is limited, or in other circumstances.
Q15: What do you mean be “ecological benefits”?
A: Native plants evolved with the insects and animals around them. These plants and creatures form a mutually beneficial network. When a plant is changed to the degree that it impacts its value to wildlife, then it is no longer providing an ecological benefit. For example, a cultivar with a different flower shape may not be as attractive to pollinators as the straight species. A cultivar with dark leaves may not attract sufficient leaf-eating insects needed to maintain that insect’s population.
Q16: Can you help me understand which plants have ecological benefit?
A: Yes! First look for the straight species of the plant denoted by the symbol 🌱. If only cultivars are available, look at the column that asks the question: “Does the Cultivar appear to have similar ecological value as the Straight Native Species?” A “Y” tells you the plant should be suitable. A “N” tells you there are strong reasons to choose another plant. The columns “Cultivar Differences from Straight Native Species” and “Other Notes” give you more information to help you make your decision.
Q18: How did the Survey Project members decide whether a cultivar appeared to have similar ecological value as the straight species?
A: Survey Project members reviewed information online and in reference manuals to determine how a cultivar differed from the straight species. Based on scientific research into the effects on insects by changing certain characteristics of a plant, the members made an educated assessment for each cultivar. The most significant characteristics considered are changes in flower structure and leaf color. These assessments are the opinions of the Project members, not the organizations to which they might belong.
Q17: Where can I find more information about cultivars and the ecological principles you mention and rely upon?
A: There are many resources available online. Some resources you may want to start with are listed here.
Q18: What if my group would like to conduct a similar survey for our area?
A: Great! We’d be happy to share the materials we used to conduct the survey. Contact Sharon Burnham at seabird66@cox.net and we’ll follow-up with you.
