Frequently Asked Questions about Native Plants…
Q. What are native plants?
A. Native plants (also called indigenous plants) are plants that have evolved over thousands of years in a particular region.Combinations of native plants suited to the same growing conditions and occurring together in a given region are called Native Plant communities. These plant communities provide the rich habitat required to support local and migratory wildlife such as birds, butterflies, other pollinators and us. Meadowood Nursery provides native plants adapted to the geography, hydrology, and climate of this region.
Q. What are the advantages of native plants?
A. Plants native to a specific geographic region are generally very hardy and well adapted to the different soil types, rainfall, and temperature of that area and have a survival advantage which many imported plants do not have. Native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance landscape while benefiting the environment. Once established, native plants generally do not require special watering, fertilizers or pesticides or lawn maintenance equipment. Many native plants not only provide beautiful flowers but their berries and seeds also provide food for birds and insects and the plants themselves provide shelter for many types of wildlife that are important in the ecosystem. Restoring plants native to a given region contributes to re-establishing a healthier ecosystem.
Q. What are invasive plants?
A. Invasive plants are species that spread from gardens, agricultural areas and other human settings into the wild. Invasive plants are usually but not always non-native. Introduction of non-native plants into our landscape has been both accidental and deliberate. Invasive plants like oriental bittersweet, purple loosestrife, mile-a-minute, and bamboo among others grow so vigorously that they displace many or even all of the native species. This displacement of our native plants eliminates the preferred food and habitat for the insects, birds and other wildlife that live in or migrate through our area. For this reason, invasive plants represent a very serious threat to the health and viability of our entire ecosystem.
Q. What is conservation landscaping?
A. Conservation landscaping refers to landscaping with the specific goals of conserving native plants, providing habitat for local and migratory animals, reducing pollution and improving water quality. This type of landscaping reduces the time and expense of mowing, watering, fertilizing and treating lawn and garden areas and offers greater diversity and visual interest than a lawn monoculture. The roots of many native plants are deeper than those of typical lawn grass and so they are better able to hold soil and capture rainwater in areas that are prone to erosion or poor drainage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Nursery…
Q. Do you sell wholesale and retail?
A. We are a retail nursery and we also provide discounts to customers with a retail sales license and to not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in environmental restoration and educational fund raising activities promoting the use of native plants in the landscape. We also offer regular retail customers a 10% discounts for single orders over $500.
Q. Do you do landscape design?
A. No, but we can refer you to qualified landscape designers.
Q.Will you install the plants I buy from you?
A. No, but we can advise you if you decide to plant them yourself or we can suggest qualified landscape contractors.
Q.How can I be sure to get the plants that I want when I want them?
A. Meadowood Nursery stocks over 300 species of native plants. Although we can grow or obtain virtually any species of native plant that is grown commercially, production is usually scheduled one-to-two years in advance. We will also be glad to suggest possible substitutes that might work for your project. Email your requirements to us at meadowoodnursery@comcast.net and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.
Q. How are your perennials sold?
A. Our herbaceous perennials are grown in a variety of containers to best meet their growing requirements; most are sold in 4.5” deep quart pots, 5.5” jumbo two quart pots, and trade gallon size containers. All of our plants may be purchased individually. You do not have to buy a full flat. You can select your own plants at the nursery or we will pick them for you.
Q.Do you sell bare root, potted or balled & burlaped (“B&B”) trees and shrubs?
A. We believe that container-grown plants represent the most cost-effective option to ensure long-term survival for environmental restoration projects. Most of our trees and shrubs, which generally range in size from 2-8 feet, are grown in containers ranging from 1 to 7 gallons in size.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ordering and Visiting…
Q.What are your new business hours for 2010?
A. 2010 Meadowood Nursery Business Hours
APRIL - Open by appointment
MAY, JUNE, JULY –
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other days/times by appointment
AUGUST - Open by appointment
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER -
Open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other days/times by appointment
To schedule an appointment please call: 717-566-9875, or email us meadowoodnursery@comcast.net.
Q. How can I place an order?
A. Orders may be placed by phone to 717-566-9875, by email to meadowoodnursery@comcast.net, or by appointment at the nursery.
Q. Can I place an order and pick up my plants the same day?
A. You must call or email us to schedule an appointment at the nursery. We will make every attempt to accommodate same day requests.
Q. How can I find Meadowood Nursery?
A. First, give us a call and schedule your appointment as above, then follow Directions below.
From the north: take Route 81 to Exit 77. Proceed south/east on Route 39 approximately 3 miles and turn right on Red Top Road. Proceed 1 mile and turn right on Long Lane Drive. Take the first left onto Meadowood Drive and at the “Y” at the end of the road, stay to the left and take the drive on the left up the hill to the nursery.
From the south: follow signs to Hershey Park. From Hershey Park Drive in front of the Giant Center, follow Route 39 north/west approximately 3 miles and turn left on Red Top Road. Proceed 1 mile and turn right on Long Lane Drive. Take the first left onto Meadowood Drive and at the “Y” at the end of the road, stay to the left and take the drive on the left up the hill to the nursery.
