Plants that benefit wildlife: evergreen natives (conifers and broadleaf), berry producing plants (viburnums, hollies, elderberry, etc.), nectar rich plants for native insects. I think if you can tie the benefits of natives to benefits to wildlife you increase your audience.

For example, I turned my neighbors on to natives because they are into birding.

Done and done. Birding is hot and I agree that habitat is where it's at; what about other concerns? Garden issues that need addressing (using natives, obviously)?

Wildflowers and good shade natives. Everyone loves flowers, and I'm sure they would sell well if people knew what they were and when they bloomed, what their requirements were. People look for something different and wildflowers are often unknown. Not everyone wants big, gaudy hybrids, many appreciate the subtle charms of daintier wildflowers. Make sure there are photos of the plants in bloom.

Seems to me the shade plants are a good thing to look at. What with everyone thinking hostas are the only shade plants, giving them a bunch of alternatives might be a good way of taking advantage of the gardening industry's extremely narrow focus...

I'd also point out that many evergreen trees are notable for providing far less habitat than deciduous trees.

Patrick Alexander

Sell high quality native trees, especially good hardwoods - oaks, hickories, etc. Offer good variety to prevent threats created by diseases (Sudden Oak Death, etc), and encourage folks to use these trees instead of the ghastly common stuff that one finds. I'd love to see a world where things like Bradford Pears (and all their cursed ilk), Norway Maples, and other short-lived and/or invasive trees were not sold.

And of course, try to get natives from local seed sources.

Patrick, I'm interested in learning more about what you mean in this statement:

I'd also point out that many evergreen trees are notable for providing far less habitat than deciduous trees.

Interesting thread!
I would choose outstanding cultivars of native shrubs, such as Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly), Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood), Ilex glabra (Inkberry Holly), Clethra (Summersweet), Viburnums, Vacciniums (blueberry plants).

Those are samples of the "eye candy" that could attract people to native shrubs...many with gorgeous flowers!!!
the foliage of the viburnums and vacciniums can provide the blazing red fall color that people are looking for when they buy Burning Bush (Euonymous alatus) which is on the list of invasives in our area but continues to be sold locally.

Most of them are also highly attractive to beneficial insects and native birds with their early nectar, berries, seeds etc...

Similar for perennials. There are wonderful selections of New England Aster (Alma Potschke, Purple Dome), Goldenrod (Solidago "Fireworks") is a nice one that works well in perennial borders., Lobelia cardinalis and syphillitica (Cardinal Flower). Asclepias (butterfly weed, milkweed...) All of these are fairly widely available so they must be good sellers

Groundcovers...there is a native pachysandra (I think it's called Allegheny Spurge??) that is slower growing but I think more attractive. I think its native range is further south than New England, but it's an alternative for those who would like something more interesting than pachysandra :-)

There are many out there...look at New England Wildflower Society's book on growing native plants, it's written by William Cullina of NEWFS and I'm sure it would give you a lot of ideas..

Ellen