Why I sell Native Plants!
Ray’s Native Plants arose from my interest in growing plants native to NC and SE USA from seed. I have grown well over 100 different natives and planted them over the last few years. My yard contains over a hundred native species and is certified as a Bird Friendly Habitat and Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Why Natives?
As the North Carolina Native Plant Society states “Using native plants in landscaping helps sustain native butterflies, beneficial insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, and other native species.”. They are also well adapted and easier to grow in North Carolina’s variable climate, especially when we experience droughts like this year.
What is Available and When?
I have a range of species for sale that rotates through the seasons. Many of them can be seen growing in my garden.
I hold weekend (Fri-Sunday) sales events at regular intervals. Plants are available for pickup at 406 Tinkerbell Rd, Chapel Hill, NC as I do not ship for now, and I will post when I have a open day here or sale at another location (as I have in the past in Cary, Zebulon and Durham). I also advertise on Facebook marketplace and Facebook NC Native plants groups. Plants are typically in 4" pots or cowpots priced at $6-$12 each unless in a larger pot or unusual.
I can be available if you want more than just a few plants at other times by appointment. You can contact me via this email.
The list of NC native plants (and a few that are from adjacent areas, all USA natives) available for sale are posted at this link.
I also have several types of house plants for sale including Ficus (rubber plants), string of hearts and cacti as listed here.
How are they grown?
Although not technically organic, I prepare all my own soil mix using coir or pine bark (depending on the plant size) as a base rather than peat, plus locally made available soil and compost, and vermiculite and perlite. I avoid the use of insecticides for my garden and native plants at any point in the process.
Plants are mostly perennials that originate from seed obtained from commercial sources (where possible from UNC Botanic Garden, or Prairie Moon) or that are proliferating in my garden, and provide them for sale at the 4” pot stage. Most are available in 4” Cowpots especially in the spring as these are a more sustainable alternative to pots made from peat (or plastic!) and provide excellent root growth in and through the pots.