Protecting and supporting our local ecosystem is at the core of everything we do.
At Garden Environments, we believe that landscapes should be beautiful, functional, and beneficial for pollinators and local wildlife. Our deep commitment to creating biodiverse landscapes guides everything we do, from designing outdoor spaces to selecting plants to installing key garden features. Instead of simply choosing plants that look pretty, we take great care to source native plants from trustworthy nurseries that prioritize eco-friendly practices.
Through our relationship with our sister company, Deep Roots Natives, we’ve developed a transparent plant-sourcing network to give our customers access to healthy, neonicotinoid-free plant options for their landscapes. Together, we share four key tenets that highlight our strict standards and genuine passion for native landscaping practices.
1. Our plants are neonic-free.
The way a plant is grown and treated matters significantly when it comes to creating healthy pollinator gardens and native landscapes. In addition to choosing a variety of native plants that can nourish and shelter wildlife, we understand that it’s critical to select species that haven’t been exposed to harsh insecticides.
When we acquired Deep Roots Natives in 2021, we prioritized sourcing plants that weren’t treated with
with neonicotinoids or similar insecticides since these chemicals can harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. Whenever possible, Deep Roots Natives grows its own species, but we also carefully vet regional growers to offer more variety for our landscaping clients.
2. We have access to hard-to-source native plant species.
Native plant availability can vary considerably by season, growing conditions, and supplier, and some species are simply harder to find than others. However, since Deep Roots Natives grows its own plants and works with local growers, we can offer access to a broader selection of native trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and other plants. For clients and native plant gardeners working from a specific plant list, we can even investigate if particular species can be sourced when they’re not currently available.
3. Our plants must pass four strict, independent screenings.
Our native plant sourcing reflects four important considerations:
- Neonicotinoid-free practices: We seek plants that haven’t been treated with neonicotinoids or similar insecticides.
- No invasive species: We avoid plants considered invasive to protect our local ecosystems.
- Verified native species: We prioritize plants that are genuinely native to our region and equipped to thrive in our environment.
- Responsible growing practices: We carefully vet growers and consider their cultivation practices before establishing them as sources for our plants.
These standards are reinforced by Deep Roots Natives’ inclusion on the New Hope Bird Alliance’s highly recommended list of native plant sources. This organization has specific criteria related to recommended native plants, identification of native species, the absence of neonicotinoid and similar systemic insecticide treatments, and avoiding plants on the NC Invasive Plant Council’s Shun List.
4. Both organizations are committed to the Homegrown National Park movement.
Both Garden Environments and Deep Roots Natives are part of the Homegrown National Park movement and represented in their plant directory. This nonprofit organization works to inspire people across North America to incorporate more native plants into landscapes and replace standard lawns with more beneficial regional species. We believe that supporting positive ecological change can occur one landscape at a time, and our entire team is excited to continue building beautiful, healthy outdoor spaces for years to come.