Native Plants & Pollinators

Sargent’s Nursery is dedicated to fostering healthy, sustainable landscapes through an ever-expanding selection of North American, Regional Native, and Cultivated Native trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and sedges, all carefully grown to thrive in our region. We categorize our native plants into three distinct groups based on their origin and ecological role.

North American Natives

North American Natives are plants that have naturally evolved across the continent, from Canada to Mexico. These species are adapted to a wide range of climates and soils, making them resilient and low-maintenance choices for many gardens. They provide essential habitat and food for a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, pollinators, and other native species. They are native, but not necessarily to our specific ecoregion.

Regional Natives

Regional Natives are a subset of North American Natives, specifically adapted to the unique climate, soil, and ecological conditions of our local ecoregion. These plants are perfectly suited for local gardens, as they thrive in our seasonal weather patterns and support the specific wildlife found in this area, such as native bees, butterflies, and birds.

Cultivated Native Plants

Cultivated native plants—sometimes called “nativars”—are varieties of native species that have been selectively bred for traits like stronger color, larger size, or improved disease resistance, while still providing many of the same ecological benefits. They combine the beauty and resilience of true natives (aka straight natives) with enhanced ornamental appeal, making them a great choice for home gardens that support local ecosystems. While cultivars are not eligible for strict native restoration grants, they still offer an important bridge between traditional landscaping and native habitat gardening.

On terminology…

We categorize our native plants to make it easier for you to find the right fit for your garden’s goals. Whether you’re working to support pollinators, meet the requirements of a grant-funded project, or simply create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape, these distinctions help guide your choices. By clearly defining our plants, we aim to support both ecological health and the individual needs of each gardener’s interests. That being said, there are a lot of other terms you may hear:

• Straight Natives: Species that naturally occur in a specific region and have evolved alongside local pollinators. They provide essential habitat, nectar, and pollen for native bees, butterflies, birds, and other beneficial insects. Because they’re well adapted to the environment, they typically require less maintenance once established. Choose straight natives for conservation projects or grants, which help ensure ecological authenticity and compliance.

• Nativars: Cultivated varieties of native plants, bred for traits like flower color, plant size, or disease resistance. While many still support pollinators, some changes—like double blooms or altered flower shape—can reduce the plant’s ecological value. Their benefit depends on how closely they resemble the original native species.

• Cultivars: Plants specifically bred or selected for certain traits and are often propagated to maintain uniform appearance. These may or may not be native and may not always offer meaningful support to pollinators. Some cultivars produce little nectar or pollen, or have altered flower structures that are harder for pollinators to access

• Pollinator-Friendly Plants: Plants that attract bees, butterflies, and birds by providing provide nectar, pollen, and habitat. These plants prioritize biodiversity over specific native range. ie. Plants can be pollinator-friendly without being native, but native plants typically support the broadest range of native pollinators in a particular region.

GET INSPIRED FOR YOUR NEXT LANDSCAPING PROJECT

We’ve had the wonderful opportunity to design and install beautiful landscapes all around the Red Wing area. We’ve gathered our favorite projects for you to explore:

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