Native Plants Grown Locally in Cincinnati, Ohio

My native plants are carefully cultivated right here in Cincinnati. Each plant is available for just $4.00.

Convenient and Sustainable

Plants are grown in specialty reusable tubes. Your plants are removed from these tubes, carefully protected in foil wraps for easy transport. By following this process, the price to the consumer is very affordable!   The specialty tubes are cleaned and used to replant.  This also reduces plastic waste, no extra pots to pay for and it uses less growing medium.

Focus on Native Genotype Plants

Most of the plants I grow are of a native genotype to SW Ohio. Some plants, while native to Ohio, I am unable to grow from native seed for several reasons. 1. They are endangered in the state of Ohio thus cannot be grown from native Ohio seed. 2. The plant is extirpated from Ohio and so there are no Ohio genotype seeds available anymore. 3. The plant is native to a state adjacent to Ohio However it has never been found in Ohio. In these cases, I may purchase the seed from another state or collect the seed from an adjacent state to Ohio to make them available. In these cases, I will distinguish these non-Ohio-native genotype plants on my plant list by using Italic print on the plant name and scientific name.

Plant Species Available

See my online plant list featuring over 150 species of plants with plans to expand to 200 species in the future.  (please note, we do not ship plants)

My Journey

In 2021, I began growing native plants for my own yard. Now, that I have honed my propagation process, I am excited to share them with you to encourage native plantings on your property.

Come Visit!

Feel free to make an appointment to view and purchase plants. I also plan to have at least one open house day where no appointment is needed. The best way to contact me is either through Facebook Messenger or you can call or text me at 513-748-9003

Stay Updated

Check our online plant list below for updates throughout the spring and summer on availability. You also invited to follow our Nature’s Ark Facebook page for the latest news.

My Mission

Is to provide affordable native plants for homeowners and those involved in community education projects, like pollinator gardens.

A Call to Action for Homeowners and the Urgency of Change

In the U.S., 40 million acres are devoted to lawns (that nearly twice the size of the state of Ohio in unproductive grass!) Homeowners can help the environment by planting native species and reducing lawn areas.

Currently, more money is spent on lawn chemicals and water than any other type of landscaping. In fact, fertilizer and pesticide use on lawns is ten times greater than on all agricultural land combined. This approach is unsustainable.

A Critical Moment

Recent news highlights a consensus among climate scientists and conservationists: we may face a mass extinction event within the next two decades. Sadly, some environmental research is saying we are rapidly approaching the point of no return. However, we must continue to do our best!  The more we can do as homeowners and landowners by planting native species and ridding our yards, woodlands and grasslands of invasive species, we can reduce the negative impact.  We can make a difference!

Neonicotinoids our bad for pollinators

Neonicotinoids are widely used in the plant industry and are highly toxic to our pollinators. These insecticides are absorbed in the plants and end up in the pollen of flowering plants and is devastating our native pollinators. There is a push to get them removed however if you buy plants from your local garden store you might enquire if they use these chemicals on there plants before you buy. For more information about these insecticides please read the following articles.

https://xerces.org/publications/periodicals-articles/neonicotinoids-in-your-garden

https://www.xerces.org/pesticides/understanding-neonicotinoids

As a native plant grower as well as a supporter of nature in general. I do not spray insecticides of any kind on my plants. If I would need to for some reason I would try to find one that is free of Neonicotinoids. If we loose our pollinators we will have to pollinate everything by hand and that would effect our food supply greatly.

A Collective Responsibility

We must confront the reality that we are at risk of losing much of the natural world. It’s time to take action and continue to work for our future and the future of our planet.

Starting Your Native Plant Project

Need Guidance?

If you’re unsure how to start your native plant project, you’re not alone. Many people seek help to navigate this rewarding journey.

Expert Recommendation

I highly recommend Austin Miller of Birdsong Landscaping. He specializes in landscaping with native plants. His skill can make your project a success.

Services Offered

Austin offers a range of restoration services. These include custom prairie seedlings and pollinator gardens. He also provides invasive plant removal and habitat management.

Customized Solutions

Whether you want to enhance your garden or restore a larger habitat, Austin can tailor solutions to meet your needs. His knowledge ensures that you choose the right plants for your area.

Importance of Native Plants

Using native plants is crucial for local ecosystems. They support wildlife, promote biodiversity, and requires less maintenance. Austin’s work helps you contribute positively to the environment.

How you can help

By planting native plants on your property, you are directly contributing to environmental conservation. The transition from a traditional lawn to a more eco-friendly landscape has a powerful impact. It reduces the need for harmful chemicals and excessive watering, and it helps support the biodiversity that is critical for our ecosystems.

Conclusion

Starting your native plant project doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right support, you can transform your outdoor space into a thriving habitat. Do your own research using these experienced and qualified agencies such as the National Chapter Wild Ones. visit their website for more information https://wildones.org/

Plants for sale	Price per plant	Sales time line
Home Owners & Community Education Projects	$4.00 each	Anytime by appointment
Growers & Sellers of Native Plants	$10.00 each	October-November by appointment

Payment options:  I can accept credit cards, however cash is preferred on purchases of less than a dozen plants.

List of Plants

Graminoid/Grasses

Common name	Scientific Name	Availability	Habitat Type	Plant Height	Picture Link
Big Bluestem	Andropogon gerardi		Prairie	4-8′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/poaceae-grass-family/big-bluestem
Canada wild-rye	Elymus canadensis	2 in stock	Prairie	2-4′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/poaceae-grass-family/canada-wild-rye
Common Woodreed	Cinna arundinacea		Woodland	2-5′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/poaceae-grass-family/common-woodreed
Eastern Bottlebrush grass	Elymus hystrix	June, 2025	Woodland	2-5′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/poaceae-grass-family/bottlebrush-grass
Florida Paspalum	Paspalum floridanum	Not this year	Prairie	4-7′	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paspalum_floridanum
Little Bluestem	Schizachyrium scoparium		Prairie	2-4′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/poaceae-grass-family/little-bluestem
Prairie Dropseed	Sporobolus heterolepis		Prairie	2-4′	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporobolus_heterolepis
Sideoats Grama	Bouteloua curtipendula		Prairie	1-3	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/poaceae-grass-family/sideoats-grama
Switch Grass	Panicum virgatum		Prairie	3-7′	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panicum_virgatum
Tall Dropseed	Sporobolus compositus	6 in stock	Prairie	2-4′	https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/tall_dropseed.htm

Sedges/Rushes

Common Name	Scientific Name	Availability	Habitat Type	Plant Height	Picture Link
Broad loose-flowered Sedge	Carex laxiflora	18 in stock	Woodland	6-12″	https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/carex-for-the-mid-atlantic-region/carex-laxiflora-broad-loose-flowered-sedge/
White Bear Sedge	Carex albursina		Woodland	6-24″	https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/carex-for-the-mid-atlantic-region/carex-albursina-white-bear-sedge-test2/
Whitetinge Sedge	Carex albicans		Woodland	15-20″	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/cyperaceae-sedge-family/whitetinge-sedge

Vines

Common Name	Scientific Name	Availability	Habitat Type	Plant Height	Picture Link
American Bittersweet	Celastrus scandens		Woodland	10-30′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/celastraceae-bittersweet-family/american-bittersweet
Common Moonseed	Menispermum canadense		Woodland	8-15′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/menispermaceae-moonseed-family/common-moonseed
Purple Passionflower	Passiflora incarnata		Brushland/Forest/Edge	8-20′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/passifloraceae-passion-flower-family/purple-passionflower
Trumpet Vine	Campsis radicans		Thicket/Clearings	30′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/bignoniaceae-trumpetvine/trumpet-vine
Yellow Passionflower	Passiflora lutea		Brushland/Forest/edge	6-20′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/passifloraceae-passion-flower-family/yellow-passionflower

Woody

Common Name	Scientific Name	Availability	Habitat	Plant Height	Picture Link
American Bladdernut	Staphylea trifolia		Woodland	8-15′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/staphyleaceae-bladdernut-family/american-bladdernut
American Crabapple	Malus coronaria	August, 2025	Brushland/Forest/edge	30′	https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/malus/malus-coronaria/
American Hornbeam	Carpinus caroliniana		Woodland	20′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/betulaceae-birch-family/american-hornbeam
American Plum	Prunus americana		Brushland/Meadow/Edge	15-25′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rosaceae-rose-family/american-plum
Black Gum	Nyssa sylvatica		Woodland	30-50′	https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/nyssa/nyssa-sylvatica/
Buttonbush	Cephalanthus occidentalis		Wet Woods	3-8′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rubiaceae-matter-family-1/buttonbush
Carolina Allspice	Calycanthus floridus		Brushland/Meadow/Edge	6-12′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/calycanthaceae-strawberry-shrub-family
Dwarf Hackberry	Celtis tenuifolia		Dry Open Woodland	7-40′	https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/celtis-tenuifolia/
Eastern Leatherwood	Dirca palustris	August, 2025	Woodland	7′	https://buchanansplants.com/plant-library/shrubs/leatherwood/
Eastern Wahoo	Euonymus atropurpureus	August, 2025	Woodland	12-20′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/celastraceae-bittersweet-family/eastern-wahoo
Flowering Dogwood	Cornus florida		Woodland	5-40′	https://mtcubacenter.org/plants/flowering-dogwood/
Fragrant Sumac	Rhus aromatica		Brushland/Forest/edge	6-12′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/anacardiaceae-sumac-family/fragrant-sumac
Lanceleaf Buckthorn	Rhamnus lanceolata	August, 2025	Open woods and Prairie	6′
Mapleleaf Viburnum	Viburnum acerifolium	August, 2025	Woodland	3-6′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/adoxaceae-moschatel-family/mapleleaf-viburnum
New Jersey Tea	Ceanothus americanus	August, 2025	Brushland/Forest/edge	2-3′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rhamnaceae-buckthorn-family/new-jersey-tea
Ninebark	Physocarpus opulifolius		Brushland/Forest/edge	3-10′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rosaceae-rose-family/common-ninebark
Redbud	Cercis canadensis		Brushland/Forest/edge	20-30′	https://mtcubacenter.org/plants/redbud/
Running Strawberry Bush	Euonymus obovatus	11 in stock	Woodland	6-18″	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/celastraceae-bittersweet-family/running-strawberry-bush
Shrubby Cinquefoil	Dasiphora fruticosa		Wet Prairie	1-4′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rosaceae-rose-family/shrubby-cinquefoil
Smooth Rose	Rosa blanda	10 in stock	Prairie	2-6′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rosaceae-rose-family/smooth-rose
Steeplebush	Spiraea tomentosa		Wet Prairie	2-4′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rosaceae-rose-family/steeplebush
Wafer Ash	Ptelea trifoliata	August, 2025	Brushland/Forest/edge	15-20′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rutaceae-citrus-family/wafer-ash
White Meadowsweet	Spiraea alba	8 in stock	Wet Prairie	4-6′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/rosaceae-rose-family/white-meadowsweet
Wild Hydrangea	Hydrangea arborescens		Woodland	3-9′	https://naturesarkphotography.com/wildflowers-plants/nggallery/hydrangeaceae-hydrangea-family/wild-hydrangea