February 26, 2025

NEWS FROM THE CACTUS PATCH

Are you ready for another wild garden season? In just 9 short weeks, 63 days, our gate will swing open and our 5th season of working to bring life back to our region will officially begin!

The countdown is on! Soon another season of revelry here at Prickly Ed's Cactus Patch Native Plant Emporium will begin. While drop-in shopping officially begins on April 30th, we are already in full swing taking orders for area gardeners who are turning their garden dreams and plans into reality this season. If you are looking for special items, large quantities, flats of plugs, or need particular plants for particular projects on a particular date, reach out to discuss ordering options. We are available to assist with special orders seven days a week!

Send us a Message

Click here to explore shopping details including the Spring 2025 plant lists!

This newsletter edition is, like most, long! And it is also packed full of resources, references and readings. We want this to be an amazing season for you in the garden. And we want you to become a confident ambassador for the growing ecological gardening movement. So take your time, dig in, save the email, come back to it. Ecological gardening is so much more than just a hobby - it is an activity that is good for you and great for nature and communities - embrace it!

Stay connected to daily garden news and tips and get connected to others working to build back habitat on home by following us on Facebook and Instagram. Use the buttons below to find us. And for those who prefer Bluesky, you can find us at https://bsky.app/profile/pricklyedscactus.bsky.social.

More about the fantastic, expansive, wicked awesome, 2025 plant selection!

Our primary focus and our specialty is native plants. Specifically, straight

species, pesticide-free plants that are native to the northeastern region, the vast

majority of them indigenous to southern New England. We enthusiastically curate the largest selection of New England natives in our area, including unusual, rare and even endangered varieties. Our lineup includes flowering perennials, groundcovers, grasses, ferns, shrubs and even trees! Most perennials are stocked in robust 1 gallon sizes while shrubs are typically 2 and 3 gallon and trees range from 2 to 7 gallon - large enough to create instant impact but still small enough to realistically get home in most vehicles! This season we will also be stocking some smaller sized perennials including 3.5 inch and 1 quart pots. Planting in abundance makes for good design and enhances ecological benefits and we want to make that as affordable and attainable as possible for as many people as possible. A reminder that if you are working to plant in a large area you may want to consider flats of landscape plugs (seedlings). These can be special ordered in trays of 32-50 of a kind, just outreach to discuss your options.

For those who are new to Prickly Ed's, we want to also let you know that while native plants are our specialty, we do not ONLY carry straight species New England natives. We sell some other things - things that we ourselves also plant! Planting them but not providing others the opportunity to do the same would be a bit hypocritical. So, what other kinds of things does this include?

— Plants that are native to the mid-Atlantic region but are winter hardy here. We have

been finding that some of these species, particularly some grown from Long Island

seed, are thriving especially well in our warming coastal environment.

— A few cultivars (typically natural selections) that have characteristics like more compact growth or enhanced disease resistance that may make them better suited to home landscapes. We do not sell cultivars with characteristics like double blooms or sterile flowers that have been shown to reduce plant benefits.

—A handful of non-native perennials that offer particular benefits like season-long

nectar and pollen, high drought tolerance, proven herbivore browse resistance, edible

or medicinal qualities, and low or no chemical needs. We never sell invasive plants!

— Food! We believe that growing some of your own organic food is a wonderfully

important activity. We carry certified organic herb and vegetable plant starts and an assortment of berry bushes! This year all of our herb and veggie plants are being grown for us by Long Lane Farm right in Warren. If you are not familiar with Long Lane Farm, plan to visit them this season! They are family owned and operated, no-till, certified organic, regenerative, chemical and GMO free.

— Flowers! Each spring we carry a dazzling lineup of designer flowering annuals

mostly native to Central America. These showy blooms bring a dash of flair to

spaces and beckon to hummingbirds and butterflies from miles away. Many varieties are heirloom treasures rarely seen in our area. This year all of our flowering annuals are coming to us from Beds and Borders on Long Island. Their plants have consistently proven to be outstanding quality and we value their commitment to sustainability!

All of the plants we sell come to us from very high quality Northeastern specialty

growers, mostly very small - family owned and operated businesses. All have made multiple commitments to ecological stewardship and sustainability. We believe that dollars can drive change and are proud to support businesses working extra hard to do right by the environment and by their customers!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE PLANTS WE SELL, EXPLORE SHOPPING DETAILS AND VIEW SPRING 2025 PLANT LISTS.

Life in the

Wintertime Garden

The welcome dose of warm weather this week signals that spring can't be too far away. But as all long-time New Englanders know, we will have several "false springs' before the real one fully sets in. Don't wish away those last weeks of winter without taking stock of your wintertime landscape. All wonderfully wild spaces have interest - and life - every month of the year. Our February "Life in the Garden" article in East Bay Life focused on the wintertime landscape. You can read it at the link below, and while there be sure to explore past articles that you may have missed.

Click Here to Read Life in the Wintertime Garden

An Important Reminder - To Nurture Life In Your Garden Go Easy on Spring "Clean Up"!

It has been a bitterly cold winter, But, in no time we will be springing our clocks ahead and in a matter of weeks the Spring Equinox will be upon us. Where does the time go? As the days begin to slowly warm the pull to outside will become strong for gardeners. But if you find yourself itching to head outside and tidy up to prepare for another season, take a pause. Try to be patient. Before you get to work, look closely at what you may be removing from your landscape. In our latest blog post we explore the most nature-friendly ways to approach getting your landscape ready for another life-filled season. Click below to read the post. And be sure to check out the great stem nesting bee graphic from Heather Holm for helpful information on how to trim with pollinators in mind.

Click Here to Read "Let Your Garden Lie"

Click Here to Visit Heather Holm's Website and Take a Deeper Dive Into the World of Bees, Wasps and Other Pollinators

The very best nature-based gardens are rooted in native plants that are well matched to the site and created with a thoughtful plan!

Special orders don't upset us! As you create your 2025 wish lists, be sure to reach out to discuss your plant needs.

Just like last season, special orders will continue to be a growing part of our business. If you have visited us in the spring you know that we maximize every square inch of our drop in sales space with plants every which way you turn. But space is tight, and that puts some limits on the numbers of plants we can stock at any one time. But just because you haven't seen it on the shelf doesn't mean it isn't available - always ask!

We encourage thoughtful planning and as you make those plans we encourage you to reach out with any special order needs. Do your 2025 garden plans have you needing large quantities of any one plant variety? Do you need a particular plant at a particular time? Planning a big spring redo of foundation plantings and need several shrubs or larger sizes than we typically stock? Looking for a somewhat obscure variety that you've had trouble finding in the past? Contacting us early will help ensure the best availability.

Speaking of special orders, a reminder that flats of deep pot landscape ready plugs are available by special order as well. Plugs can be a great tool for large scale planting projects - mini meadows and swaths of groundcovers alike - and we are happy to work with to get you the varieties that you need. Plugs are typically sold 50 to a flat. Reach out soon to discuss options and availability.

Send Us a Message to Discuss Your Plant Needs

Be sure to make use of all of the planning resources on our website!

Our website is filled with tools you can use including searchable plant tools, our favorite plant lists, sample plans, inspirational articles and even videos to keep you entertained. Dig in to the tools and materials as you think through the steps you want to take to turn your yard into a buzzing habitat.

Your best pathway to long term garden success is to research, plan and create plant lists with varieties that are well suited to your space and your goals. We can then work with you to find those perfect plants! Sometimes those perfect plants might be sitting right on our shelves and other times they may need to be ordered just for you.

Be sure to tune in to our social media channels where you will get daily tips and inspirations to help guide you on your planning pathway. Look for "Wildscaping Wednesday" tips, "Plant of the Day" features, and more.

And actively participate in the many great learning opportunities offered during the winter months, including our own "Yards Alive" lineup featured below.

For some people planning is the best part of gardening. But, if planning has you overwhelmed you may want to consider hiring a pro to help you with your yard transformation, or you might just need a pep talk! Either way, reach out to us anytime for referrals or suggestions.

Visit Planning Your Garden

Think about the space outside your door and ask yourself if it meets the four essential universal landscape goals laid out by Doug Tallamy, award winning author, entomologist, conversationist, and founder of Homegrown National Park. Click right on the image below to explore more on this important topic!

Are wilder spaces only for the wild amongst us? Not really, even Fine Gardening Magazine is extolling the benefits of bringing nature home! Their interview with Doug Tallamy hits some really key points when it comes to prioritizing plant selections for your own landscape. Click the image below to read the piece.

So for many this begs the question - can wild spaces be beautiful spaces? We think so, in fact we think it is essential to emphasize and amplify the beauty in these nature-centered places. And on the topic of rethinking beauty in the landscape and its connection to making informed plant choices, here's a recommended read with a big dose of inspiration from one of our own favorite naturalistic designers, Kelly D. Norris.

Click Here to Read New Naturalism and Informed Plant Choices

Ready to read even more? Kelly D. Norris has a brand new book out. It is the kind of practical guide that should be on the coffee table - or potting bench - of all habitat builders! Click on the image below to visit Kelly's website where you can purchase the book directly and also sign up to receive his free monthly Planting Notes!

YARDS ALIVE!

The response to our "Yards Alive" Living Landscapes Learning Series has been truly incredible with every one of the sessions so far fully booked at over 100 registrants.

Yards Alive is a year-long effort to educate, inspire, connect and empower local residents to grow change in their yards and communities. The series weaves together art and science and features the expertise of local gurus, emphasizing that all the talent we need to grow a new vision for our outdoor spaces exists right here in our communities. All sessions are free and open to all, but for planning purposes, registration is required. There are still some slots in some of the upcoming sessions - these are featured below.

Click Here to Explore All of the Details About the Full Yards Alive Series on our Website

Click Here to Read More About and Register for Bay-Wise Landscapes Buzzing with Life

Click Here to Read More About and Register for Creating Magical Outdoor Spaces Where Kids Can Thrive

Click Here to Read More About and Register for The ABC's and 123's of Creating and Maintaining Living Landscapes

Have you Joined the Pollinator Pathway?

Signing up for the Pollinator Pathway is a great way to show your commitment to helping bolster biodiversity right outside your door. It is also a great way to connect with others in the community who are committed to seeding change. There is no cost to join the Pathway and adding your property to the map helps in being able to visualize growing pockets of promise where corridors of pesticide free native plantings are forming. It also helps to identify pollinator deserts where corridors are fragmented.

You can learn more about the Northeast Pollinator Pathway by CLICKING HERE. When visiting the website be sure to explore all of the wonderful resources provided there. Barrington residents should also be sure to connect with the rapidly growing local initiative. You can learn more about it, sign up to receive news, and find out how you can purchase a fun purple butterfly sign for your yard by visiting the Barrington Land Conservation Trust site HERE. Note that representatives from the Barrington Pathway will be at all of the Yards Alive sessions with information and signs, be sure to say hello! Encouraging local residents to join the Barrington Pollinator Pathway is even included in the Town's new Ready and Resilient Barrington Plan. Pollinator Pathway practices are about so much more than offering essential support to pollinators, the practices that help bolster biodiversity are also firmly rooted in the makings of sustainable and resilient communities!

If you live in a town that does not yet have a Pathway initiative consider joining together with others and starting one! It is fun, easy and the team at the Northeast Pathway site (linked above) will help.

As we head into another garden season a reminder that your yard is your pollinator garden!

When we think about pollinators and pollinator gardens what comes to mind is the showy flowers where we are most likely to personally see these wonderful bees, butterflies, birds (including hummingbirds) and other magical creatures. But without the host plants that pollinators need to complete their full life cycle, and without the habitat conditions they need to survive – and thrive, they will never make it to the showy flowers at all. The truth is that all of the corners of your yard, and all of the ways you maintain your space are intertwined in their importance for pollinator health. Along with incorporating those showy, nectar rich flowers that are certain to make for great pollinator photo ops, be sure to consider the following elements as equally, and sometimes even more important to your Pollinator Paradise!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Are You Connected?

Initiatives like the Pollinator Pathway are all about connections. The places we live, work, learn, play, shop, worship and more all represent opportunities to create vital connections between larger conservation areas. Gardeners, nature enthusiasts and residents from all walks of life who don’t want to sit idly by while scientists ring the alarm bell about our growing biodiversity crisis are connecting with each other and working to bring these spaces back to life. We know some of you right now are asking why you would want wildlife moving freely through your yard. If being connected and trendy isn’t reason enough to dig the wildlife gardening movement, consider that pollinators, birds, amphibians, indeed all native wildlife must move between varying habitats to thrive. And the health of these wonderful creatures is deeply connected to our own wellbeing. We encourage you to read our oldie but goodie blog post on the subject of connections at the link below. In the spirit of connections we are also sharing information on a couple of newsletters we personally subscribe to and enjoy in order to be sure we have all of the latest information and inspiration on the theory and practice of bringing nature home. We thought you might enjoy them too! You will find the information below.

Click Here to Read Are You Connected?

If you haven't yet heard of Rebecca McMackin you are in for a treat! Click on the image below to explore her website and writings and to sign up to receive her newsletters, the timing of which tracks to the full moon! Many learned of Rebecca for the first time through her breakout TED talk, which is much watch viewing!

Click Here to Watch the Must See TED Talk!

Many of our followers have been subscribers to "Dear Avant Gardener" - a popular newsletter focused on eco-friendly design. And many others know the pen behind the inspirational and educational columns, Heather Evans, a Bristol summer resident and Rhode Island Master Gardner. Did you know that Heather has now teamed up with her dynamic daughter Zoe to form "Design Your Wild"? In addition to bi-monthly newsletters subscribers also have opportunities to attend interactive workshops like the one coming up on March 11th focused on Quick and Easy Layouts for Yard Designs. Heather and Zoe are offering Prickly Ed's customers a special discount off of the normal subscription price. Click either of the images below to learn more and to take advantage of the discount!

SAVE THE DATE!

Be sure to mark your calendar for "Transforming the Landscape" hosted by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. This is the second year that ASRI is hosting this statewide gathering designed to bring attention to the importance of adjusting our landscaping practices in order to grow sustainability in our communities. This year the convening will take place on April 26th from 9:00-1:00 - all of the details will be out soon. Be sure to connect with Audubon through their website and social media. Spoiler alert - Team Prickly Ed will be there for the festivities and in fact, Cindy will be moderating a panel at the event on a topic she has many passionate opinions about - pesticides. See you there!

The Audubon Pollinator Alliance

Did you know that the Audubon Society of Rhode Island recently launched a new initiative focused on connecting neighbors across Rhode Island who are working to build habitat for pollinators, songbirds and other creatures? Even if you have already joined other initiatives like the Pollinator Pathway, Homegrown National Park or the Certified Wildlife Habitat Program we encourage you to also sign up with the Pollinator Alliance. Mapping progress helps Audubon to identify areas of focus for advocacy, outreach and education. You can learn about the initiative - and join - by clicking on the image below!

We Are Locally Owned - And Operated

At Prickly Ed's Cactus Patch Native Plant Emporium we are focused on making the area a little bit wilder one yard at a time! We offer great native plants, prickly pear cactus, magic dirt, unusual pollinator friendly annuals, organic herb and vegetable plants, lots of solicited and unsolicited advice & random curiosities designed to get your yard really buzzing. Your favorite wildscaping neighbors live right next door to the Emporium and are directly involved in every part of the business. You can read all about us on our website, including the story of where the name Prickly Ed's Cactus Patch came from.