Frequently Asked Questions

Some of our plants are grown from seed collected right here on our 22-acre property. We also purchase seeds from reputable sources when needed. Plants grown from locally collected seed or other known-provenance seed are identified on our pot labels.

For species we aren’t able to grow ourselves, we work with trusted growing partners and bring in everything from young plugs to established gallon-sized plants. This includes most trees and shrubs as well as selections from American Beauties Native Plants. All of the plant material we grow and sell is neonicotinoid-free.

Our goal is to offer a diverse selection of healthy native plants while continuing to increase the amount we grow from local seed whenever possible.

We prefer to leave wildflowers in the wild. Even well-intentioned digging, seed collecting, or flower picking can damage sensitive plant populations. Some species recover slowly, and repeated disturbance can have lasting effects.

We never dig plants from public lands or wild areas. When we collect seed from native plants growing on our own property, we harvest only a small portion and leave plenty behind. This allows the plants to reproduce naturally while preserving an important fall and winter food source for birds and other wildlife.

No. While most of our plants are native to Pennsylvania and the surrounding region, our inventory also includes select perennials, trees, and shrubs native to other parts of the United States. We choose these plants because they can still provide valuable food, shelter, and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife in our landscapes.

If a plant’s native range is important to you, we encourage you to research the plants you’re considering before your visit. And please ask while you’re shopping! Native ranges can vary considerably by species, and every gardener has different goals and criteria for what they choose to grow. If you’re looking specifically for plants native to Pennsylvania, we can help you choose plants that fit your needs.

Yes. We carry a wide variety of native trees and shrubs throughout the season. From flowering and fruiting species to evergreens, these plants provide important food and habitat for wildlife.

Selection varies throughout the year as plants sell and new inventory arrives. Because woody plants can move quickly, we recommend checking our current Tree & Shrub List before visiting if you’re looking for something specific.

Yes. While our primary focus is straight native species, we also offer a carefully selected assortment of native cultivars. This includes some of the plants we bring in from American Beauties Native Plants.

Cultivars are chosen thoughtfully. We generally avoid selections with traits that may reduce their wildlife value, such as double flowers that can make nectar and pollen difficult to access. Instead, we look for cultivars that retain the ecological benefits of the straight species while offering a useful garden trait such as a more compact habit for smaller spaces.

Our cultivars are clearly identified on the plant labels so you can tell them apart from straight species and decide which is right for your garden.

We specialize in native plants, so you won’t find the traditional herbs or vegetable starts commonly sold at garden centers here. With limited growing and retail space, we choose to keep our focus on what we do best: native plants.

That said, quite a few species we offer have edible, culinary, or historical herbal uses. Our mints, Bee Balm, and Anise Hyssop are just a few examples you may find at Arcadia. If you plan to consume any plant, always research proper identification, preparation, and safety protocols first.

Not usually. Many of the plants we grow from seed are started outdoors in fall or winter. They experience the natural cycles of cold, snow, rain, and changing temperatures that help native seeds break dormancy and germinate when conditions are right.

Some species are given controlled cold stratification and started indoors. We use this method when it provides better germination or so that we can monitor difficult seeds more closely. Our hoop houses and covered growing areas are also used to protect and manage plants as they develop, but they are not heated greenhouses.

Plants we bring in from our growing partners may have been greenhouse-grown before arriving at Arcadia.

Our plants are grown and sold neonicotinoid-free. Native plants are an important part of a complex food web. Because of that, we avoid pesticide use and take a more tolerant approach to chewed leaves, caterpillars, and other insects.

If insect activity seems to be affecting the health of a plant, we separate the affected plants from the sales area and monitor the situation. Whenever possible, we rely on beneficial insects and other targeted, low-impact methods to restore balance, avoiding broad-spectrum treatments.

Imperfect leaves don’t bother us. They’re often a sign that a plant is doing exactly what it’s meant to do—supporting life. Our goal is to protect ecological relationships while still providing our customers with healthy plants.

We currently use Pro-Mix potting media for the plants we grow at Arcadia. It does contain peat, and we recognize the environmental concerns surrounding peat-based growing media.

Over the years, we’ve trialed a number of more sustainable alternatives. So far they haven’t produced plants with the same consistent health and vigor. Arcadia works hard to grow healthy plants with strong root systems. Until we find a better potting media alternative, we’ll continue to use Pro-Mix while researching and testing more environmentally friendly options for the future.

We appreciate you thinking of us, but we don’t accept plants, seedlings, divisions, or other plant material from home gardens. This helps us protect the health of our nursery stock and maintain control over the identity and source of the plants we grow and sell.

We do not currently sell or ship plants online. Arcadia is a small, local nursery. Plants and products are purchased in person during our walk-in hours or scheduled afternoon visits.

If you’re traveling a long distance for something in particular, we recommend checking our current Plant Lists before making the trip.

Yes! Arcadia gift cards are available as physical, reloadable cards or as digital gift cards that can be sent by text or email.

Physical gift cards can be purchased at the nursery during your visit. We can also send a digital gift card to someone instantly on your behalf. Digital gift cards can be purchased even when we are closed for the season.

During the off season, it can be helpful if you send a text first to let us know you are interested in purchasing a gift card. That gives us time to get things prepared on our end before you call to make the transaction.

Because plants are living products, all plant sales are final. We do not offer returns, exchanges, or guarantees after plants leave the nursery.

We want you to go home with healthy plants, so please take a moment to look over your selections before purchasing. If you notice a concern while you’re still at the nursery, just let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

Once a plant leaves Arcadia, its care and growing conditions are outside our control. We cannot guarantee survival after planting. However, we’ll gladly answer questions about siting, planting, and care to help give your new plants the best possible start.

Our shopping schedule varies throughout the season. We recommend checking the website before planning your visit.

On regular shopping days, morning walk-in hours are available with no appointment needed. Afternoon visits are by appointment, giving customers a reserved time to shop and ask questions. Occasional all-day walk-in shopping days and special events are offered throughout the season.

Our current hours and upcoming shopping dates are always posted on the website so you can see exactly when we’re open before making the trip.

Yes—if they came from Arcadia Natives! We send thousands of pots and hundreds of trays home with customers each season. Returns are gladly accepted so that we can reuse them.

Please do not bring us pots or trays from other nurseries or garden centers. We only accept containers that originally came from Arcadia Natives, with no exceptions. While you do not need to wash them before bringing them back, please only return them if they are unbroken and in good condition.

On-site consultations or home visits are not services that we provide. While you’re shopping, we are able to help you understand how a plant grows, how it behaves in the landscape, and whether it may be a good fit for your site. Often, if you just share the basics such as sun exposure, soil moisture, and available space, we can help you make informed choices without needing detailed plans or photos of your landscape.

No. At Arcadia Natives we grow the plants, but we do not perform installs or provide landscape design services. Our expertise is in the plants themselves and how they behave or perform in a home garden. We can help you narrow down plant choices based on your site conditions and goals. There are a few general garden plans we’ve put together that can be picked up during events or found on the website.

For a detailed landscape plan tailored specifically to your yard, it is best to consult an actual landscape service. Consider looking into one of Phipps Conservatory’s Sustainable Landcare Accredited Professionals.

Arcadia Natives does not sell mulch, compost, potting soil, or other bulk gardening and landscaping materials. Our focus is on growing and offering native plants for your landscape. While you may see large piles of mulch or pallets of soil here, they are for use in and around our nursery.

Arcadia is a word that has long been associated with an idyllic, pristine natural landscape. A place where people and nature exist in harmony.

That idea felt like the perfect fit for a nursery devoted to native plants. Arcadia Natives reflects what we hope these plants can help create: gardens and landscapes that are beautiful for people while also providing food, shelter, and habitat for the wildlife that shares them.