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FEATURED MEMBER (Continued)

Liatris aspera
com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ native sedum species,” DeLong said.
Inventory-2024-2.pdf, supplies of “We’re trying to increase our supply
American beachgrass (4-inch plugs), so we have them available for sale in
bee balm, little bluestem, switchgrass the near future.” DeLong frequently
and rough goldenrod number 1,000 The business partners started with tracks down hard-to-
or more. Available trees and shrubs
a plot in Salisbury which they rented
include red and black chokeberry, find native species,
for six months before purchasing 25
Atlantic white cedar and Eastern red
acres in Hurlock five years ago. They collecting seeds
cedar, red osier dogwood, spirea and
also rent 4 acres from Dorchester
viburnum. when possible and
County which they maintain as
DeLong frequently tracks down hard- a meadow. The meadow serves appropriate, so plants
to-find native species, collecting seeds the dual purpose of preventing
when possible and appropriate, so agricultural spray from drifting further can be cultivated in
plants can be cultivated in order away from the nursery and creating
to increase the stability of their a space where seed for some order to increase
populations. native species can be collected for the stability of their
propagation in the nursery.
PHOTO CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: One example is Sedum populations.
Spartina patens glaucophyllum, an unusual native DeLong and Parisi also help to
Panicum amarum plant from the Appalachian region provide other small businesses with
Aquilegia canadensis of Maryland. “There are only a few
Smooth cordgrass seedlings (continued on next page)
56 SPRING 2024• Free State News Membership Matters • SPRING 2024 57