Environmental Concern Inc.  

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

For more information, or current availability: Here

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.

For more information or availability: Here

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.

For more information and availability: Here

Red chokeberry is propagated and grown from seed in EC's nursery.  White flowers form in May on this low maintenance shrub. It requires full sun to partial sun/shade, and grows best in moist soil but tolerates dry conditons once established. This is the shrub to add to your spring list if your clients are looking for summer, fall and winter color. 

• Available forms: 1, 2 and 3 gallon pots
• Water Tolerance: irregular to seasonal inundation
• Salinity Tolerance: resistant
• Wetland Indicator Status: FACW
• Light: full sun to partial sun/shade
• Mature height: 6-12 ft.
• Aerial Spread: 3-6 ft.
• Blooms: white flowers in May, turning to red fruit from September through December
• Wildlife Value: emergency winter food for many species

For more information and availability: Here

Chasmanthium Latifolium (northern sea oats) seed heads, resembling wild oats, are visible in early May. Throughout the summer months, the seed heads turn from green to a rusty reddish-tan color. This low maintenance, perennial grass grows in clumps to a height of 5 ft. It is one of our top 5 picks to add to your plant list for spring planting.

• Available forms: 2" plugs, quarts and gallons are overwintering in our greenhouses, and will be ready for purchase in early spring.
• Water tolerance: seasonal inundation & upland
• Seasonal Tolerance: <5 ppt
• Wetland Indicator Status: FACW
• Light: full sun to partial sun/shade
• Height; 1.5 - 5 ft.
• Aeiral Spread: medium rate - up to 4 ft.
• Blooms: flat, green "flowers" mature to bronze, then tan in the fall when seeds form.
• Foliage: bright green, narrow leaves
• Wildlife Value: seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals; provides winter cover for wildlife

For more information and availability: Here

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) is commonly found in swamps, bogs and lowland thickets. This deciduous mediuim-sized shrub has dark green foliage that turns to a vivid reddish-purple in the fall.

• Available forms: 1, 2, and 3 gallon pots
• Salinity: resistant
• Light: full sun to partial sun/shade
• Water Tolerance: irregular to seasonal inundation
• Wetland Indicator: FAC
• Habitat: wetland
• Height: 6-12 ft.
• Aerial Spread: 3-6 ft.
• Blooms: white flower clusters in May - blackberries from September through November
• Foliage: reddish-purple fall leaves
• Fruit: black berries
• Wildlife Value: berries eaten by songbirds and edible by humans

More information and availability: Here