Frequently Asked Questions

We accept cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), checks and NFCs (iPay, Google Pay, Android Pay), Venmo and PayPal.

Native plants are those that have existed in our landscapes prior to European arrival, colonialism and the recent introduction of plants from other continents. Native plants have been used for millennia by indigenous people for food, clothing, tools, color, medicine, ceremonially, and many more uses than we can possibly imagine or have knowledge of in the present day. I am thankful and appreciative of the native plants which continue to occupy the land and space I steward.

Yes! We have a native plant list that you can view or download. Our list may be found here. 

We strive to keep it updated but sometimes it takes a while to ensure that everything on the list is in stock. If you have questions about native plant availability, please use our contact page. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Our farm is named after our two Beauceron dogs, an ancient herding breed from France. Bas Rouge (bah roosh) is French for 'lower red', this is a name by which the dogs are known in France because of the squirrel red 'socks' on all four legs. See our About page for an image of our dogs.

While we would love to see you here, our nursery is not open for visitors. There are several reasons, not the least of which is the lack of parking, and infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the public. Check our calendar for our sales locations at Farmers' Markets, Native Plant sales, other permaculture and nature themed events throughout Maine.

We are going into our fourth season in business! The native plant nursery is growing season after season. However, we are not yet large enough to support an employee. Perhaps someday we will be able to provide a part-time, seasonal position to another native plant lover!

This is the most frequently asked question. 

Some of the same reasons above apply. Additionally, the time I spend in the nursery with the plants is the same as Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. It is the space, time and focus that I need to take care of the plants and mentally process the business. 

This is also a wonderful opportunity to recharge after attending markets, and to take photos for you to enjoy. I am the best version of myself after spending one on one time with my plants.

Our native plants are grown and propagated in a variety of ways. Many are seed grown (sometimes this method takes 1, 2 or 3 years before plants are ready for market). We do not have a heated greenhouse and use the natural environment to grow our native plants hence the lengthy growing period.

Many are grown from seeds from our nursery garden or woodlands or purchased from reputable growers, while others from cuttings (root, green or wood cuttings) depending on the plant and time of year. A few cuttings are taken from robust specimens in our gardens, such as a naturally occurring Mother plant. We also purchase a number of plugs and bare root shrubs from a reputable source.

We use exclusively the Coast of Maine products including Seed Starter, Compost & Potting Soil. We also add liquid Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Emulsion to encourage root activity. Your native plants are ready to go with no additional fertilization. All of these products are OMRI Listed (Organic Materials Review Institute).

Never give up on a native plant! It has been my experience and observation that some plants may take a little longer than expected to grow (based on changes in weather, etc.). Interestingly, other native plants go “walk about”, i.e., the plant decides that where you planted it may not have been its ideal location and it will instead take itself to an area where it will flourish.

Not to worry! All plants take a little time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Because our plants have a robust root system, they are exceptional at seeking out nutrients in the soil and establishing themselves well once planted. Droopy just means that the energy is at the roots (where it matters most at this stage). The roots will then feed the rest of the plant and your plant will perk up in no time.

No. Our plants have received everything they need for a robust root system, to establish quickly in your growing areas and flourish. 

Most native plants do not require additional fertilization, in fact, it is often the reason many do not thrive. 

The right place (sun) and right soil conditions for a plant are more important than additional feeding. That is, if a plant requires rocky, sandy, dry conditions in full sun, it will do well in that environment versus being planted in rich, moist, humus soil with part sun/shade, or in a nutrient dense potting mix. 

I do not recommend mulching. Always remember, right plant in the right place. Each plant is tagged with its preferred soil conditions. If this basic need is met, the plants will not require additional moisture control. I have observed that some native plants die back with too much mulching until the area is bare again.

We sell our plants primarily at the Orono and Bangor Farmers’ Markets, at the twice annual Native Gardens of Blue Hill Native Plant Sale (Spring & Fall), at the Wild Ones Mid-coast Maine Fall Native Plant Celebration & Sale in Camden, Maine, and at other events throughout the state. 

Please feel free to look at our plant list and if the stock is available, we can make arrangements for pick-up at market, etc. Check our calendar or Instagram posts to find us at market and other locations. 

Yes! We would be happy to do a consultation to help you understand more about the plants that are growing in your spaces. Please view our services page for details.

No. At the moment we do not ship our native plants. However, we do sell native plant seeds in the fall and winter. These may be purchased through our website and are sent via USPS (shipping fees apply).

We sell a variety of potted native herbaceous (plants which die back at the end of the season), native shrubs and native sapling trees. 

We also sell native plant seeds collected right here in our farm garden. Seeds are available in the fall. 

At the beginning of the growing season, we sell native plant variety packs (landscape plug size), and a native plant subscription or CSA. All of these are listed here.

Yes! We sell traditional gift certificates and E-Gift cards. Visit our Shop page for details and to purchase. These make thoughtful gifts for your favorite gardener.

Yes! I teach Basic Gardening Classes through Bangor Adult Education each Winter/Spring and Fall. Information and registration links are posted on our calendar in January & late August. I also speak and present workshops to a variety of audiences. To see a listing of upcoming classes, talks, workshops and other events, please review our calendar page.

Wonderful! I look forward to hearing from you and to learn more about your organization. Please use the contact form to request more information. I will be delighted to connect with you.

Yes. We often have larger quantities of landscape plugs at the beginning of the season (in the spring). If there is something you are hoping to obtain, please contact us. By mid to late season, however, most of our plants are potted and have limited availability.

Most of our herbaceous plants are sold in #1 standard nursery pots. In 2024, we decided to offer three sizes at Farmers' Markets including our standard #1, a #6 pot and a 4.5" pot. Trees & Shrubs are usually in larger pots (2 gallon and up) based on age and root requirements.

There are many cultivars (plants which have been cultivated or developed for specific features such as a variety of flower colors) of native plants, also known as 'nativars'. 

We strive to sell exclusively native plants. A great percentage of the native plants we sell are straight species (as close as possible to what you might find in their range and/or naturally occurring habitats). I say a great percentage because we may receive seed or landscape plugs indicating a straight species only to realize that it may be a cultivar once it starts to grow or flower. 

We try to attend both the Orono and Bangor Farmers' Market as often as we can. There are several reasons why we may not attend, as follows: 

• We participate in Native Plant sales and other outdoor educational events throughout the state, these typically take place on either a Saturday or Sunday during the same hours as the markets. 
• I also make public presentations speaking to various groups, teach workshops and participate in gardening and native plant activities throughout the summer which may keep me from attending markets (again, these occur during the weekend). 
• If it is late in the season (fall), frost and the waning above ground life of plants is also a consideration. Although some shrubs are still in lovely condition later in the season, many herbaceous plants (plants which die back) are not at their best.
• Lastly, we do not attend markets when it is raining. I believe that shopping for plants should be a pleasant, slow and enjoyable experience. It is my observation that shopping for plants in the rain is not conducive to enjoyment.

If you would like to know if and when we are attending markets, follow us on Instagram, Facebook or check our calendar. 

I also encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter. It is sent out at the beginning of the month and includes our upcoming event schedule. Subscribers are always the first to know!