RBN FAQs
Shop FAQs:
Where can I buy your plants?
We are open mid-March through October at our production area in Hazelwood for pick up appointments and at our events around Pittsburgh throughout the season. Check our events page for details.
Can I shop your production area?
Our production area is not open for public shopping. Shoppers can pick up orders by appointment at the front of the property. The best of the available stock will be pulled for your order.
It’s spring! When will your plants be available?
We grow the majority of our stock from seed outside without supplemental heat, so we’re at the mercy of the weather. Each year each species is ready at a different time. Generally, the first to appear in March are trees and shrubs, followed by spring ephemerals and early-season perennials in April, spring and mid-summer blooms by May, etc. Grasses and late-season bloomers may not be ready until July. When production of a particular species is low, that species may be held over and released the following season. To see our availability in real time, check out our plant inventory list here.
How do I make an appointment?
See something you’d love on our current availability list? Go to our appointment page, choose a time to stop by and send us the list of items you wish to pick up.
What is your address? I can’t find it on your website!
You’re right! Think of our production area as the speakeasy of native plants! Due to the fact that we are located at a private residence and the grounds are not open to the public, our full address is provided when you schedule your pick-up.
Do you have a price list?
We update our plant inventory weekly. Visit our plant inventory page to see what’s available, sizes, prices, and quantities.
Do you ship plants?
Sorry, we do not ship plants.
Do you sell your seeds?
We do not have seeds available. I recommend buying locally collected PA-grown seeds whenever possible. The Audubon Society of Southwestern PA and Ernst Seeds are both great sources.
Plant FAQs:
Do you use pesticides or other chemicals?
This nursery and its suppliers are all neonicotinoid-free facilities. Although it is rare for native plants to need an intervention, only responsibly and very sparingly applied neem oil has been used to support plant health.
Are your plants organic?
An organic certification is an expensive and involved process, so we don’t have one here. However, all of our potting soil is organic, and only organic garden products are used throughout the property.
Where do you get your plants and seeds?
Most of our stock is grown from hand-collected seed on private property, and all is collected with permission. Over 100 species are collected right here at our Hazelwood site! In order to preserve established ecosystems, we don’t practice or support wild collection of plants from any area. We work with vetted professionals to provide our nursery with some larger tree and shrub specimens and also to fill in our perennial stock if we experience a species shortage or germination failure. Our goal is to provide as much stock as possible from our local and closely surrounding ecoregions.
I have too many native plants! Can I give you some of mine?
We’re excited that many of our customers are also successful growers. As a state-certified and inspected nursery, any of our plants that come from outside sources must also come from other nursery sites that undergo state inspections. This system helps protect everyone’s landscape from pests and diseases and ensures that all of our stock remains straight species and true to type. We encourage fellow growers to look for local plant and seed swap groups on social media and to learn about safe, pest-free plant sharing techniques so that everyone’s native plants can find good homes locally.
Do you offer a warranty?
Because plants are living organisms and their success depends on factors beyond our control—such as soil, moisture, sunlight, and wildlife—we do not accept returns or offer refunds once plants leave our care.
Our plants are carefully grown and inspected to ensure they leave our nursery healthy and ready to thrive in the right conditions. Additionally, to protect the health of our nursery and our customers’ landscapes, we do not allow plant returns due to the risk of transferring airborne or soil-borne invasive pests or organisms.
That said, we want you to have a successful garden! If you have questions about plant care, site conditions, or need suggestions or troubleshooting, we’re happy to help guide you - both before and after your plant purchase.
Still have a question? Contact Us.