Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery

An incredible array of plants!

Without delving too deeply into the merits of social media, one big plus is the tremendous amount of gardening information shared. I have so many examples of people I've met and information I have gleaned from social media and Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery is definitely one of the best finds! I have followed their Instagram feed for a while - it's accurate, detailed information presented in an easy to understand way along with interesting photos drew me in.

This Orefield, PA nursery in the Lehigh Valley lies just to the east of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Zone 6b and in our shared ecoregion, which as we all know, means shared native plants! Edge of the Woods is the largest retail native plant nursery I have visited. Started just over twenty years ago by Susan Tantsits and Louise Schaefer, it is a well tended place cared for by highly trained staff who love working there by the sounds and looks of it all. The nursery features trees, large shrub and perennial selections, ferns, grasses, sedges and bog plants, demonstration gardens, supplies and tools.

Virgin's Bower Vine

Take a look at this virgin's bower vine (Clematis virginiana). Growing along with a native wisteria (Wisteria frutescans) on a metal post, it was about to burst into bloom. When you see this flowering, it does make you wonder why we are still selling and growing invasive sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) which is beginning to appear in garden centers and nurseries now. Both the native and exotic vine provide a cascade of fragrant clear white flowers for fall. If you need help determining whether you have native virgin's bower or sweet autumn clematis, check out this post.

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  shade plants

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  bog plants

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  shrubs

Back to the vast selection of native shrubs and perennials! I saw so many plants I had read or heard about but never seen offered for sale. Edge of the Woods carries over 250 species. They offer excellent information on their website. To start, there is a plant availability list. As Edge of the Woods says "we have lists" and indeed they do! A few of the list offerings: native shrubs under 3 feet, native plants for competing with invasives, native plants for windbreaks and screens, native plants for alkaline soils and many more. So very helpful.

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  flowering spurge

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  Joe pye weed and rudbeckia

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  monk's hood flower

Edge of the Woods sells many, many straight species plants, and some plants native to other regions of the Country and some cultivars. All plants native to other regions and the cultivars are labeled as to where the plants are native to and what attributes those plants provide. Again, so very helpful!

Over the years, I often noted Edge of the Woods events and thought "well maybe if I were closer." I happened to be driving by last week and after visiting, realized this is a worthy destination on its own. If you have the urge to take a gardening road trip, next week just happens to be 'Customer Appreciation Week' which means lots of fun things: workshops, raffles, tours and more. If you plan to visit between August 17th and August 22nd of 2026, check out all the activities here. If you are not able to visit next week but plan to another time, keep in mind their weekly nursery tour typically offered on Tuesday mornings at 10 - register in advance here.

Blue Lobelia, Flowering Spurge and Phlox

This nursery checks all the boxes: neonicotinoid free, healthy plants, great selection, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff, good educational signage. I am so glad I happened to be driving by and hope you get a chance to do the same!

Happy Gardening.