Marsh Plants for Sale

MARSH PLANTS FOR SALE

Thanks to a very successful growing season in NCCF’s Wetland Nursery Program greenhouse and a generous plant donation from Native Roots Nursery, NCCF is able to offer low-priced coastal marsh plants to our members. These plants, which NCCF uses in marsh restoration projects, are available at a reduced price of $0.25/plant.  This is approximately ½ of our normal cost for purchasing marsh plants.

The three plant species available for purchase are salt and brackish marsh species: Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), Spartina patens (salt-meadow hay), and Juncus roemerianus (black needlerush). One tray of marsh plants (50 plants) is suitable to plant an area of approximately 200 square feet (~10’ x 20’).

Plants are available on a first come, first serve basis.  If you have estuarine waterfront property and would like some additional coastal marsh plants for your shoreline, or if you would like to begin a living shoreline of your own, call Lexia Weaver at NCCF’s Newport office at 252-393-8185 to place your order. Information on how and where to plant these species will be included with every plant purchase.

Proceeds will be used to support NCCF’s Student Wetland Nursery Program and other NCCF marsh restoration projects.

GENERAL PLANT INFORMATION

Spartina alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass)

Smooth cordgrass is a tall, stiff-stemmed marsh grass, growing throughout the low salt marshes of NC. In NC, plants grow from 2’-7’, and can be found growing in the intertidal zone from approximately mean tide level to mean high water. Possesses a round stem with flat, alternate leaves. Thrives in poorly flushed sediments by transporting oxygen to its roots through its leaves and stems. Spartina has great value for nutrient uptake, providing habitat for numerous estuarine animals, buffering floodwaters, and erosion control.

Spartina patens (Salt-meadow hay)

Salt-meadow hay is a soft, light green grass that forms thick mats in the high marsh. It grows well in the intertidal zone landward of the mean high water, with capabilities to grow well in dune areas. It grows from 3’-4’, with rolled, rounded leaves. Possesses a ball joint at the base of the stem to prevent breakage during tidal flow. This species was once mown for hay, hence the name. Spartina has great value for nutrient uptake, providing habitat for numerous estuarine animals, buffering floodwaters, and erosion control.

Juncus roemerianus (Black needlerush)

This "leafless" rush can cover large areas in coastal salt and brackish tidal marshes, and is easily recognizable by its characteristic grayish-green to blackish hues. The "stems" in this species are actually leaves that are rounded so tightly that they appear to be very sharp-pointed stems. This species grows well in the upper marsh and grows from 2’-5’. Black needlerush has great value for nutrient uptake, providing habitat for numerous estuarine animals, buffering floodwaters, and erosion control.