A popular Virginia Department of Forestry program that offers discounts on native trees and shrubs is back at participating nursery locations.
Throwing Shade VA offers customers a $25 discount on eligible plants valued at $50 or more through May 1.
The program has more than doubled in size, from 15 locations in Virginia to 31 with new locations in Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia and the Eastern shore.
Throwing Shade VA incentivizes Virginians to plant native species of trees and shrubs, which provide water quality benefits, as well as a source of food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Not only can native species meet any landscaping objective, but they also often require less maintenance, as they are adapted to Virginia’s environment and climate.
To receive the discount, residents must scan a QR code on the tag, complete a short survey and show it to the clerk when you check out. Paper surveys are also available.
There are more than 125 species eligible for the program.
“With so many eligible species available, there are native plants for any landscaping project you might have,” said Molly O’Liddy, Urban and Community Forestry Partnership coordinator.
In 2025, more than 7,750 plants were purchased through the program. All trees planted through this program are reported as part of the state’s Phase III watershed implementation plan.
Throwing Shade VA nursery locations
- Meadows Farm: All 12 locations in Fredericksburg, Manassas, Stafford, Warrenton, Falls Church, Richmond, Chantilly, Leesburg, Herndon, Annandale and Winchester
- Ararat: Puckett Greenhouses, 1461 Green Spring Road
- Barboursville: ProTech Farm and Nursery, 2360 Spotswood Trail
- Berryville: Seven Bends Nursery, 76 Moose Road
- Blacksburg: Crow’s Nest Greenhouses, 1811 Brooksfield Road
- Bristol: Thomas Hollow Nursery, 10547 Oak Grove Road
- Burke: Burke Nursery and Garden Centre, 9401 Burke Road
- Cape Charles: Grizzard Farms and Nurseries, 22643 Bayview Circle
- Chesapeake: Southern Branch Nursery, 1412 Benefit Road
- Covington: Wiley’s Garden Center, 605 S. Lexington Ave.
- Forest: Rainfrost Nursery, 2452 Bethel Church Road
- Hamilton: Watermark Woods, 16764 Hamilton Station Road
- Harrisonburg: Grass Roots Landscaping, 1084 Virginia Ave.
- Mechanicsville: Ed’s Landscaping and Garden Center, 4032 Mechanicsville Turnpike
- North Chesterfield: Cross Creek Nursery, 501 Courthouse Road
- Rockville: Cross Creek Nursery, 15503 Ashland Road
- Rose Hill: David Bros Nursery, 122 Basswood Road
- Norfolk: Lady Fern’s Native Plants, 4900 Colley Ave.
- Waynesboro: Waynesboro Landscape and Garden Center, 2032 W. Main St.
- Woodstock: Woodstock Gardens, 1175 Hisey Ave.
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Crystal Graham
