The Emporium is currently closed for shopping, but, we are available anytime by phone or email to discuss your 2026 plant needs! You will find our contact information HERE. During the off-season we encourage you to make use of our website which is full of useful resources for beginning and veteran gardeners alike.
Drop in shopping for retail customers is every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from late April - mid October - stay tuned for opening day news! Multiple deliveries of great new plants arrive every single week from April - September with peak native plant availability from late May through mid-September.
In addition to the Friday - Sunday drop in retail shopping opportunities for local DIY home gardeners, we work with landscape professionals, conservation groups, municipalities, schools, non-profit community groups and more to help them secure the plants they need to make their ecological gardening projects a success. Planning a project? Outreach to discuss the ways we can help you meet and exceed your planting project goals! Pick up for special orders can be accommodated most days and times during the week.
We accept cash, Venmo, PayPal, credit, and debit cards. Thanks in advance for your patronage and interest in adding beneficial plants to your yards and gardens.
The Emporium is located at 315 Barneyville Road in Swansea, MA - directly at the border of Barrington, RI. For directions, contact information, and to view current hours, click below.
We are a small, quirky, locally owned and operated horticultural wonderland offering more than 400 plant varieties, including rare finds and the area’s largest selection of Northeast Native Plants. While not exclusively focused on Massachusetts native plants, our carefully curated selection supports pollinator, bird, and wildlife-friendly gardens, as well as home permaculture and ecological landscaping goals.
We prioritize exceptional quality plants from small, family-owned Northeast growers. Our selection includes robust perennials, grasses, ferns, shrubs, and trees in 1-7 gallon sizes, with some smaller perennials available. Trays of single species landscape plugs and tublings can be ordered by special request; contact us for options.
We do not use any pesticides at our nursery and we source plants from environmentally responsible growers who utilize integrated pest management and make every effort to minimize chemical inputs. Our plants are not artificially forced to bloom; most perennials and shrubs are grown outdoors, adhering to natural cycles. Consequently, certain native plants might not be available first thing in the spring. By visiting regularly throughout the season, you can enjoy the best variety of plant options.
We only sell one kind of cactus here at Prickly Ed's Cactus Patch - our signature plant, the Native Opuntia humifusa - Prickly Pear Cactus.
We specialize in straight species native plants that are at the heart of habitat restoration. Many varieties are seed grown from Connecticut, Long Island and coastal New England sources making them particularly well adapted to growing here and especially valuable to local ecosystems.
We also carry a number of very popular native varieties that are not categorized as indigenous to New England but are native to the region east of the Mississippi and North of Virginia. These help expand the palette for ecological gardening projects, have strong pollinator value, and have been shown to thrive in our region.
You can tell a plant is a cultivar if it has a name in quotes after its botanical name. Cultivars are selectively bred to have specific traits that vary from the straight species variety for example more compact size, varied bloom color, etc. Cultivars can be fantastic garden accents when chosen and used wisely, but should be used cautiously or not at all in true ecological restoration projects.
Many native plants have a long history of interesting uses as food and medicine. We carry a wide array of native shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants that align well with permaculture goals. In addition to our native plant selections we often source non-native fruiting trees and shrubs by special order. Send us a message to let us know what you are looking for!
While the majority of plants you will find are native to the eastern part of North America, we do carry some non-native varieties that have a proven place in ecological landscapes. These are often perennial herbs like Lavender, Catmint, Calamintha, Rosemary, Agastache, and more. We also carry some pollinator favorites like Crocosmia, Sedums, Salvias, and Flowering Oregano. These long-blooming plants add colorful accents and provide reliable sources of nectar between native plant bloom times.
Each spring we sell a wide array of designer pollinator friendly flowering annuals and tender perennials. Most of our annuals are native to the southern part of the United States or regions of South America and are selected for their popularity with hummingbirds and other pollinators. Look for things like 20+ varieties of dramatic salvia, fantastic fuchsia, flowering tobacco, groovy begonias, cupheas, hummingbird mint, and more! We also have a limited number of cool and unusual hanging baskets and unusual single bloom dahlias that dazzle pollinators and people alike!
In the spring we carry a large assortment of certified organic herb and veggie plants for home gardeners! The lineup includes many heirloom and unique varieties. Our organic offerings are grown by Gilbertie’s Organics in Westport, CT - a four generation family grower known for their amazing quality. Get them while they last each May!
-- We are only open on the days and times posted. But, when feasible we are also happy to make appointments to meet you on a different day and time - just outreach to check availability.
-- We are an OUTDOOR ONLY establishment! Please plan and dress accordingly!
-- We love animals but for a variety of safety reasons, no dogs are allowed within the fenced in sales area, no exceptions (other than service animals). You are welcome to walk dogs in the parking area while here. If it is a very hot day or there is no one to stay with the dog in or near the car it may be safest to leave pups with someone or at home.
-- We are very child friendly and love gardeners of all ages! But the environment is definitely not child proofed - be advised! For their safety, children should be very closely attended while here.
Try it! You’ll never go back to regular mulch.
Upcycled Materials - Amazing Price - Ready to Use!
This year we are offering you a peat free soil option for your containers, baskets and gardens! Click on the image above to learn more about Organic Mechanics soils and why we support this brand!