Native Plant Nursery

Arlington County’s Native Plant Nursery facilitates the restoration of native flora.  Seeds are collected and propagated over the course of one or more growing seasons until young plants are ready for transplanting into the field.   The nursery has enabled the planting of more than 10,000 plants since its inception.

Our local-ecotype native species, propagated from locally collected seeds, represent the ‘gold standard’ for native plants used in restoration projects.  The nursery specializes in meadow species, locally rare plants, and native species that historically grew in Arlington but are no longer present.  Plants from the nursery are also used in forested areas cleared of invasive plants.

In addition to county restoration projects, plants are also provided to volunteer groups and neighborhood associations to increase biodiversity within many of Arlington’s parks.

Nursery workdays are held every Tuesday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at our nursery in Barcroft Park. To see all our upcoming events and to register, click here.

Native Plant of the Month

Rosebay Rhododendron - Great Laurel

Rhododendron maximum

Rhododendron maximum goes by a variety of names: Rosebay, White Rosebay, Rosebay Rhododendron, Great Rhododendron, Great Laurel, and Mountain Laurel (though this last name is more closely associated with another native shrub Kalmia latifolia) to name a few. It is an evergreen shrub with twisted trunks. The maximum part of its name can refer to the big 4-10 inch leaves, large white to light pink flowers, and/or may be due it being one of the largest of our native rhododendrons. Read more.