Wholesale Growers to the Trade and Retail Sales to the Public
Owner Sue Hunter
Heartwood Nursery owner, Sue Hunter, has been passionate about native woodland species since she was a child. She was busy exploring and studying the woods on her family’s farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, in the 1960s and 1970s.
A Towson University alumna, Sue studied Biology with a focus on Geology and Soil Sciences and Plant Taxonomy.
Sue has tirelessly dedicated her life to educating others about the propagation and cultivation while raising a family and holding a range of horticulture jobs. In the 1980s, Sue experimented and perfected methods of propagating native trees and shrubs from seeds or cuttings and growing them without pesticides or fertilizers.
Sue began part-time wholesale of native species in 1987, bucking the industry trend for nonnative ornamentals. By 1992, she’d grown enough healthy native nursery stock to start business full-time as Heartwood Nursery.
Heartwood is now one of the largest retail and wholesale native nurseries in the region, offering more than 300 species of trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and grasses native to the eastern Piedmont and transitional region. All are straight species, as Sue is passionate about preserving the genetic diversity within a species.
While all native species are vitally important, the American Holly (Ilex opaca) holds a special place in Sue’s heart, and she has grown Heartwood Nursery into a national leader in the propagation of American Holly.
An authority on Hollies, Sue has led the Holly Society of America as president for over ten years. She is the recipient of the Holly Society of America National William F. Kosar Award. This award is “given to an outstanding
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plantsman for contributions to the evaluation, selection, and introduction of Hollies.” She’s provided consulting and presentations on native species and non-native invasive species to many organizations, including the U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. National Park Service, Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County, horticulture trade organizations, and others.
As an adjunct instructor at Community College of Baltimore County, Sue teaches students plant propagation and production. In addition, she frequently gives talks and workshops to local high school students and many community groups, including Scouts, gardening groups, and more. She trains and instructs her young team at Heartwood on the scientific, technical, and creative process of plant propagation, helping to grow future generations of native plant advocates.
Grace Dorsey
My interest in native species horticulture began at Heartwood Nursery. I started at Heartwood as a teenager without a career goal. From my work at the nursery and then college, I began to see the importance of this industry, and what started out as an entry-level job as a teenager has grown into a career I’m passionate about.
I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science with a specialization in Biology. At Heartwood, I have a leading role in the propagation of Holly and many other woody natives. Recently, I’ve also taken on the role as Chairperson of the Holly Arboretum Committee for the Holly Society of America.
While talking with customers one on one, I help them make educated decisions about what native plants will work well for their area, with consideration given to their vision, planting conditions and space, and the environmental benefits of particular species. I often recommend a diverse selection of species, optimizing their space to increase biodiversity and provide for a broader selection of wildlife.
Native species horticulture is important because it means focusing on the ebb and flow of the natural processes that promote biodiversity. As invasive species continue taking over native areas and urbanization grows, biodiversity declines, resulting in less healthy valuable ecosystems.
Andy Riale
I really enjoy working here at Heartwood Nursery. I’ve always loved working outside or just being out, enjoying the outdoors. After working as a mechanic inside a shop on concrete floors for many years, I also appreciate having fresh air, sunshine and the earth under my feet, which this job allows. I like being able to work at a variety of tasks, seldom doing the same thing every day. The staff and the owner Sue Hunter are great to work with, effectively coordinating everyone's skills and expertise to accomplish the task at hand.