Native Plant Program

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2026 Catalog PDF LIVE

Welcome to GSWA’s Plant for Pollinators Program!

The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) 6th Annual Plant for Pollinators Program is in the works, running April 1-21, 2026. Together, we are fostering a healthier environment by expanding native plant gardens and cultivating vibrant habitats for pollinators and birds—the unsung heroes of our ecosystem. These efforts not only enhance biodiversity but also help sustain the intricate balance of nature in our communities. Now, let’s embark on a journey to transform your outdoor spaces! From spring’s first blooms to fall’s final bursts of color, create a thriving sanctuary where butterflies, birds, and bees can flourish—and where the beauty of nature takes center stage.

An Overview of 2026 Offerings

  • Plant Sale Is Open: CLICK HERE for the Plant Sale Order Form. (Open from April 1 at 12:00 PM through closing on April 21 at 5:00 PM). If you run into any issues, use the Order Form Directions for a step-by-step walkthrough.
  • Use the downloadable Interactive 2026 Native Plant Catalog to explore the Garden Kits, Individual Species, and Additional Items that will be available, and the downloadable Printable Planning List to easily organize your thoughts while simplifying your ordering experience.
  • Every plant in the program serves a purpose: providing critical habitat and food sources for pollinators. While our Plant – Pollinator Interactions highlights many of these beneficial relationships, the truth is, the connections between native plants, wildlife, and pollinators are virtually endless.
  • Curious about the natural range of the plant species offered? Check out the range maps from bplant.org.
  • Order Pickup: 2026 order pickups are on May 2/3, with plants distributed locally to your chosen partner-operated pickup location. At checkout, you’ll need to select one of our local sites to finalize your order. Please note that your selection cannot be changed after submission. Explore our 2026 Pickup Locations, available through our trusted 2026 native plant partners, and plan ahead! (Locations subject to change.)

Volunteer Opportunity: Plant Processing Week

Calling All Volunteers

Help us prepare for this year’s sale by signing up for a volunteer shift during our Plant Sale Factory Days April 27-May 1, 2026! Your time and energy are essential to making this program a success. CLICK HERE to volunteer today!

2026 Plant For Pollinators Partners who helped with the program:

Bergen/Passaic Chapter-NJ Native Plant Society   ▪   Bernards Township EC   ▪  Bernardsville EC   ▪  Burnham Park Association   ▪   Chatham Borough EC   ▪   Chatham Township EC   ▪   City Green, Clifton   ▪   Friends of Foote’s Pond Wood   ▪   Florham Park EC   ▪  Garden Club of Madison   ▪   Great Swamp Watershed Association   ▪  Harding Twp EC   ▪   LivGreen, Livingston   ▪   Madison EC   ▪   Mendham Township EC   ▪  Millburn EC   ▪  Morristown Shade Tree Commission   ▪   Morris Township EC   ▪   Native Plant Society NJ – Essex Chapter   ▪   Native Plant Society – Union County   ▪  Parsippany Green Team   ▪   Parsippany Environmental Advisory   ▪  Parsippany Library   ▪   Ridgewood Pollinator Pathway   ▪   Sprout House, Chatham   ▪  Summit EC   ▪   Summit Green Faith Circle   ▪  Tewksbury EC   ▪   Westfield Green Team

 

Get email updates on the 2026 Plant for Pollinators Program

To ensure you don’t miss any updates, make sure you’re on our Native Plant Mailing List. Subscribers receive vital program details, including webinar reminders, helpful gardening tips, pickup instructions, as well as volunteer opportunities. Don’t miss out—CLICK HERE to join or update your subscription!

2026 Plant Ordering Process

We’re keeping it simple! This year, you’ll enjoy the same user-friendly ordering platform as last year. You’ll be able to browse, purchase, and plan with ease—whether you’re ordering Garden Kits, Individual Species, or additional Native Plant Program items. For specific questions about plants or garden designs, reach out to us at plantsale@greatswamp.org. For technical inquiries, please contact nrago@greatswamp.org.

Ordering Process for 2026

Step 1: Explore the Native Plants Catalog

Step 2: Plan Your Native Garden

  • Plan ahead by selecting the plants you want to order and choosing your preferred 2026 Pickup Location. To stay organized, use our Printable Planning List—it’s designed to help you map out both Garden Kits and Individual Species for a thriving, well-structured landscape.

Important Pickup Location Details to Know:

    • If your town’s scheduled pickup dates and times don’t work for you, below are two options to consider when completing your order during the Native Plant Sale checkout process, which opens on April 1 at noon.
      PREFERRED – Select the desired town from our list of 2026 Pickup Locations and have a family member or friend pick up your order on your behalf. Just be sure to give them a copy of your order confirmation email, which you’ll receive upon completing your order. This confirmation will help our native plant partners with on-site organization and expedite your pickup process.
      ALTERNATE – Select GSWA HQ as your pickup location. Once you receive your order confirmation email, forward it to nrago@greatswamp.org along with your preferred pickup date and time between Monday, May 4, and Friday, May 8, from 9 AM to 5 PM. If you need a time outside of office hours, just let us know—we’ll do our best to accommodate! We keep track of all special requests and store orders in a deer-proof area to keep your plants safe.

    • Pickup Location Changes: Unexpected pickup location changes can only be made under special circumstances and must be moved to GSWA HQ. Requests to modify pickup locations to GSWA HQ must be submitted by the close of business on Wednesday, April 22, by forwarding your confirmation email to nrago@greatswamp.org along with your preferred pickup date and time between Monday, May 4, and Friday, May 8, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

    • Orders not picked up by Friday, May 8, may be forfeited without a refund. Please do your best to pick up your order at your selected location on the assigned date and time.

Step 3: Place Your Native Plant Order

  • Starting April 1 at noon, 12:00 PM, CLICK HERE to access the Plant Sale Order Form to complete your plant order and select one of the 2026 Pickup Locations, Important: It is mandatory to choose one of the 17 designated partner-operated locations. See above if you have issues or questions. If you run into any issues, use the Order Form Directions for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Consider a Plant It Forward! Donation! Help GSWA staff spread the joy of native plants to schools throughout the Passaic River watershed by adding a tax-deductible donation of $30, $50, $100, or $250. (See Full Description or add your order through the Additional Items section.)

  • Plant Sale Ordering Ends on April 21 at 5:00 PM.

Step 4: Pickup Your Plants

  • Mark your calendar! Pick up your plant order at your chosen location on May 2/3, 2026 during their designated times. NOTE: Once you submit a pickup location, changes can only be made for special circumstances and moved to the GSWA HQ pickup location. Please see the above instructions.

Garden Kit Manuals

Each of the six garden kits comes with a garden owner’s manual packed with guidance on your new pollinator garden, complete with sample planting designs, seasonal maintenance schedules, pollinator information, and more. Download the manuals early to help you prepare your garden.

Why Native Plants Matter

The Plant for Pollinators Program goes beyond cultivating beautiful gardens—it’s about restoring life to our ecosystems. By planting native species, you’re creating essential habitats for pollinators and birds, strengthening the web of life that sustains our local environment. Together, we can transform our backyards into what acclaimed entomologist Doug Tallamy envisions as a “Homegrown National Park™”—one garden at a time.

Finding the right native plants for your garden can feel challenging. That’s why we simplify the process by offering a curated selection of plants specifically suited to our local soils and climate.

But why are native plants so critical compared to exotic or non-native varieties? While non-native plants may produce seeds or berries consumed by wildlife, they often lack the full nutritional value animals need to thrive. Pollinators and other wildlife evolved alongside native plants, relying on them for food, habitat, and reproduction throughout their life cycles. For instance, pollinator insects depend on native plants not only for nectar and pollen but also as hosts for laying eggs and feeding larvae. Many species, like the monarch butterfly, are entirely dependent on specific plants—milkweed, in their case—for survival.

This connection ripples across the ecosystem. Healthy insect populations form the foundation of the food web, supplying birds and other wildlife with the protein-rich diet they need to reproduce. Research even shows that areas require at least 70% native vegetation to support species like chickadees. Without native plants, our ecosystems simply cannot sustain themselves.

This program works because we’re all in it together—the Great Swamp Watershed Association, 28 local towns, community organizations, and people like you. When we collaborate, we create real change. So if you’re ready to build a greener, healthier future, join us today!