Virginia Native Plants

The Virginia Living Museum has one of the largest displays of native plants in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Museum has display gardens of native plants for landscape use, and encourages gardening with wildlife in mind. Our seasonal Butterfly Haven features plants for native butterflies and their larvae. Click here for more info on the Butterfly Haven. Other plants around the grounds provide nectar for hummingbirds; fruit, nuts or seeds for birds and mammals; and shelter or nesting spaces for a variety of creatures.

In an effort to educate our visitors about the benefits of gardening with native plants, the Museum holds native plant sales twice a year. We offer high quality, nursery propagated native plant species that are often difficult to find in the commercial nursery trade.

Visit the Gardening Facts & Tips page for more information about sustainable gardening.

Horticulture at the VLM

The Horticulture Department provides a number of services here at the VLM. They grow and gather browse for our native animals to enjoy, tend to our native plant beds, use conservation-minded practices to combat insects and disease in plants, grow thousands of native plants, lecture at local schools, care for hundreds of butterflies in our seasonal Butterfly Haven exhibit, provide behind-the-scenes tours and at-home-consultations, teach horticulture-related classes, and care for our indoor habitariums. They are always looking for new ways to interact with the public, so feel free to reach out with any suggestions about what you might like to see from them!

Native Plant Sale

The Virginia Living Museum’s Annual Plant Sale is back for its 38th year, offering a stunning variety of plants to bring your garden to life! Our Spring 2025 plant sale will be held May 3-4, & 10-11 and will feature native plants, indoor plants, and special purple vegetables and herbs! Click here for more info on this year’s specialty plants, and here for our native plant inventory. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting your planting journey, this event is perfect for finding plants that thrive in our local climate while supporting the museum’s mission of conservation and education. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your home and garden while giving back to nature! Plant sale is open to all, so even if you’re not a member you are welcome!

Native Plant Nursery

The Virginia Living Museum’s experienced team of horticulture staff and volunteers propagate plants in the Holt Native Plant Conservatory. Named for Museum founders Mary Sherwood Holt and her late husband Quincy, the Conservatory has enabled the Museum to expand its horticultural and garden education programs.

 Our native plant nursery, hidden mostly behind the scenes, features a plant propagation conservatory, multiple greenhouses, and an extensive outdoor growing area. The horticulture team grows plant material for use in animal exhibits, as well as to sell at our semi-annual native plant sale.  They propagate hard-to-find ornamental native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Click on the boxes to the right to schedule a Behind-the-Scenes tour of our amazing horticulture department. 

Interested in Volunteering?

Learn more about becoming a volunteer at the Virginia Living Museum by visiting our Volunteer page.