Restoring the Bay....one wetland at a time
For over 49 years, Environmental Concern (EC) has been pioneering native plant horticulture in the Chesapeake Bay region. EC is a non-profit organization whose nursery accommodates projects ranging from large-scale restoration jobs to modest-size backyard landscape designs. Located in St. Michaels, Maryland, we collect our own seed, then propagate and grow over 120 species of local ecotypes of emergent and upland herbaceous/woody species for wholesale customers located in the Mid-Atlantic states. Visit www.wetland.org to learn more about us and to view our current availability.
Environmental Concern Inc. (EC) is a public, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located in St. Michaels, Maryland. EC is committed to improving water quality and creating, restoring and conserving wetlands, living shorelines and other natural habitats through education and outreach, propagation of native plant species and professional design and installation.
Spartina alterniflora - smooth cordgrass
Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) is available in 50/cell plug trays, quarts and gallons throughout the growing season. Smooth cordgrass is a rapidly spreading perennial grass commonly found in estuarine salt marshes.
Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), a perennial, deciduous grass, was first reproduced from seed by Environmental Concern (EC) in the early 70's - the first native wetland plant nursery in the nation to claim this success. The propagation protocol was refined over the years by the EC research staff with the goal of growing smooth cordgrass in large quantities. EC's smooth cordgrass plants can be found on thriving shoreline habitats from Hackensack Meadowlands in New York to the Atlantic coast in South Carolina. S. alterniflora, EC's largest crop, is readily available for purchase in 50/cell plug trays, quarts and gallons from March through November.
- Available forms: 2" plugs, quarts and 1 gallon
- Water Tolerance: mid-tide to MHW
- Salinity Tolerance: 0 - 35+ ppt
- Wetland Indicator Status: OBL
- Light: full sun to partial sun/shade
- Mature height: 4-7 ft.
- Aerial Spread: rapid spread
- Blooms: N/A
- Wildlife Value: rhizomes eaten by geese; birds eat the seeds
Panicum virgatum - switchgrass
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) is an ornamental, warm season grass. EC propagates and grows switchgrass from seed in large quantities in 2" plugs. Switchgrass is commonly found growing in meadows, and in roadside ditches.
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) is a clumping grass with a delicate structure, growing from 4-6 ft tall. EC has been growing switchgrass since the early '70s to use in our shoreline restoration projects.
This warm season, perennial grass thrives in moist or dry conditions, and has a high salt tolerance. Switchgrass grows from Mean High Water to upland conditions along coastal shorelines. The deep roots grow to 6 ft. in length. The flowering period lasts from July through September. The reddish purple seedheads form in early fall, and the seeds attract songbirds and gamebirds. Switchgrass also provides cover and nesting for wildlife during the winter months. Switchgrass is available for purchase from early spring through mid-December in 2" plugs, quarts and gallons. For large orders, contact Anne Sindermann at asindermann@wetland.org.
- Available forms: 2" plugs, quarts and 1 gallon
- Water Tolerance: MHW to upland
- Salinity Tolerance: 0 - 10+/- ppt
- Wetland Indicator Status: FAC
- Light: full sun to partial sun/shade
- Mature height: 2-4 ft.
- Aerial Spread: slow spread
- Blooms: July - September
- Wildlife Value: seeds eaten by ground-feeding songbirds and game birds; provides cover and nesting material.
Asclepias incarnata - swamp milkweed
Asclepias incarnata - swamp milkweed plants are available in 2 inch plugs, quarts and gallons. This milkweed is a tall, herbaceous, moisture-loving perennial. It thrives in sunny openings of swamps, marshes, and along stream banks and ditches.
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) is an erect, herbaceous perennial, growing up to 4 ft. tall. Swamp milkweed tolerates seasonal inundation*, and is a good plant for low spots or other moist areas in the landscape. It requires full sun to full sun/partial shade. Small, fragrant, pink flowers grow in tight clusters (called umbels) at the stem ends from June through September. Seed pods form when the flowers die off in late summer. The pods contain dozens of milkweed seeds, attached to silky floss. When the pods split open, the seeds are carried by the wind. EC collects seeds from hundreds of milkweed pods just before the pods burst open. The seeds are separate from the floss, and cold stratified until they are sowed in early spring. The swamp milkweed is a host plant for the 'Near Threatened' Monarch butterfly (danaus plexippus). Monarchs lay their eggs only on the swamp milkweed leaves, and the monarch caterpillar feeds only on the milkweed leaves. EC founded the Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiative in 2018 in response to the drastic decline of the Monarch butterfly.
- Available forms: 2" plugs, quarts and gallons
- Water tolerance: seasonal inundation
- Seasonal Tolerance: 0 - 5 ppt
- Wetland Indicator Status: OBL
- Light: full sun to partial sun/shade
- Height; up to 6 ft.
- Aeiral Spread: slow spread
- Blooms: pale pink flowers in umbels June through August
- Foliage: green; long and narrow and taper off to a point
- Wildlife Value: nectar source for butterflies and beneficial insects
*Duration of inundation of saturation that plants may tolerate: Seasonal - tolerates inundation or saturation from 13-25% of the growing season.