Southern Branch Nursery

Southern Branch Nursery is a native plant nursery and landscape design company that specializes in wildlife habitat and conservation landscaping. We are proud to serve clients in Virginia and Northeast North Carolina. Our team is committed to providing expert advice, design, and installation services to help you create your dream garden, whether it is a small backyard oasis or a large-scale restoration project.

Our Services

We offer a range of services to cater to your needs and goals. Our services include:

• Consultation: Our team of experts will provide expert advice on how to select, plant, and maintain native plants for your site conditions and goals.
• Design: We create custom landscape design master plans that incorporate native plants, wildlife habitat features, stormwater management practices, and aesthetic elements.
• Installation: Our experienced team will install your landscape design with care and professionalism, using quality materials and plants from our nursery or other trusted sources.
• Education: We share our knowledge and experience with you and the community through workshops, presentations, publications, and outreach events.

Our Plants

We grow a variety of native plants for sale to the public, the landscape nursery trade, and nonprofit organizations. Our plants include:

• Pollinator plants: These are plants that attract and support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators with their nectar, pollen, or host plant qualities.
• Wetland plants: These are plants that thrive in wet or moist soils, such as freshwater or saltmarsh grasses and wildflowers. They help filter pollutants, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for aquatic wildlife.
• Upland plants: These are plants that grow in dry or well-drained soils, such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials. They provide shade, shelter, food, and beauty for terrestrial wildlife.
• Straight species: These are plants that are genetically identical to their wild counterparts. They have not been modified by human intervention through breeding or selection. They are more likely to adapt to local conditions and interact with native fauna.

Our Certifications

We have earned several certifications that demonstrate our commitment to excellence in our field. Our certifications include:

• Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (Level 2): This certification recognizes our proficiency in designing and installing landscapes that protect the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Virginia Certified Landscape Designer: This certification verifies our competence in creating functional and attractive landscape designs that meet the needs and preferences of our clients.
• Virginia Certified Horticulturist: This certification confirms our knowledge of plant identification, culture, pests, diseases, and best management practices.

Our Memberships

We are proud members of several professional associations that support our industry and our mission. Our memberships include:

• Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association: This association represents the interests of the nursery and landscape industry in Virginia and provides education and networking opportunities for its members.
• Virginia Native Plant Society: This society promotes the conservation and appreciation of native plants and their habitats in Virginia and educates the public about their value and diversity.
• Virginia Society of Landscape Designers: This society promotes the highest standards of professional landscape design in Virginia and provides continuing education and recognition for its members.
• Chesapeake Conservation Landscape Council: This council advances the adoption of conservation landscaping practices that benefit the Chesapeake Bay watershed and its inhabitants.

Trista Imrich - Owner, Landscape Designer, Wild Works of Whimsy

Trista Imrich, owner of Wild Works of Whimsy and Southern Branch Nursery, is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH), Designer (VSLD-certified), and Level 2 Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional in design and installation (CBLP-ID). A Navy veteran (Surface Warfare Officer), this Ohio native has a Masters of Science in Environmental Policy and Management, bringing a unique perspective to landscape design and horticulture. She is actively involved with Lynnhaven River NOW, a local watershed nonprofit where she worked for 6 years, and has experience with the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) requirements and mitigation, to include living shorelines, rain gardens, infiltration trenches, and conservation landscaping. Trista helped to write and edit the "Native Plants for Southeast Virginia" guide. She is also a local speaker for events, garden clubs, and local groups.

Carly - Nursery Manager

Carly grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where she developed a love of nature and gardening. She especially likes hummingbirds and plants that attract them, such as Coral Honeysuckle, Native Azaleas, Cardinal Flower, Live Oaks, Fothergilla, and Serviceberries. She has been living in Tidewater for 15 years and enjoys spending time with friends and family, working with her dog, making wine, and keeping bees.

Eric Gunderson - Propagation Lead/ Nursery Founder

Eric Gunderson is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in Nursery Management/Landscape Design in 1979. He worked as a Nursery Manager for London Bridge Nursery before founding Southern Branch Nursery, Inc. in 1981. He initially operated a retail garden center and landscape nursery on Battlefield Boulevard, but later moved to the current location on Benefit Road. Eric is passionate about propagating and growing over 450 species of native plants.

Maggie - Landscape Designer

Maggie is a Tidewater native with a lifelong passion for plants and ecology. She decided to pursue her passion in 2019 and left her restaurant manager job to study horticulture at Tidewater Community College. She gained experience in commercial landscaping, but soon realized that she wanted to focus on environmental conservation. That's why she joined Southern Branch Nursery, where she creates beautiful and functional landscapes with native plants. She is also interested in permaculture, wetland restoration, and medicinal plants. When she is not working, Maggie enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, and trying new restaurants.