LINERS & PLUGS
Hardy shrubs, reliable perennials, & versatile graminoids
Liners & Plugs for Large Projects
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Why Choose Our Liners?
We offer liners drawn from our full inventory of restoration species—graminoids, forbs, and shrubs—so you can specify community mixes or single-species plugs depending on project goals. Our restoration services and contract-grows include site-specific sourcing and custom mixes when needed.
Built For The West
We produce plant material used on mines, municipal projects, and wetlands across the Intermountain West—materials tested in harsh, low-water conditions.
Restoration Expertise
Our team brings decades of restoration and propagation experience to every plug we grow.
Economy + Ecology
Liners let you cover ground quickly and cost-effectively while prioritizing native species that support wildlife and stabilize soils.
Available Sizes & Pricing
Choose from over 200 species native to the American West for your landscaping project or large material production.
7ci Plugs
Available for graminoids, forbs, and shrubs.
Pricing ranges from $1.45 to $2.95.
10ci Plugs
Available for graminoids, forbs, shrubs, and trees.
Pricing ranges from $1.60 to $3.25
Palletized Options
Available for large orders to simplify staging and planting.
Proven Capability & Capacity
We grow hundreds of thousands of native plants annually for large projects across MT, ID, WY, NV and UT, and routinely meet multi-year reclamation schedules and custom grow contracts. Our work includes federal and municipal projects and custom grows from client-provided seed collections.
Sourcing, Seed, & Provenance
We offer seed collection, cleaning, storage, and site-specific mixes when projects demand provenance and genetic appropriateness. Contract growing from collected seed is a core service for projects that require fidelity to place.
Logistics & Fulfillment For Scale
Complex restoration and development timelines require reliable delivery schedules. Liner stock can be ordered anytime via our online availability portal or directly via email.
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Order Minimums: All orders require a minimum of $250 and 5 units per species.
Flexible Freight:
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Small Batch: Orders of 2,000 units or fewer are shipped via UPS on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Palletized Freight (LTL): Orders greater than 2,000 units are securely palletized and shipped with various Less than Truckload carriers.
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Direct-to-Site: We utilize box and semi-trucks to deliver large-scale orders directly to your wholesale nursery or active job site.
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Local Pickup: Free pickup is always available at our 13-acre production hub in Corvallis, MT.
Ordering
Ready to spec liners for your project?
Email Claire or Aimee or call to discuss species lists, quantities, and delivery windows:
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(406) 381-9829
For Contract Grows, please submit a request.
READY TO GROW?
Ready to spec liners for your project?
Email Claire or Aimee or call to discuss species lists, quantities, and delivery windows:
claire@greatbearnativeplants.com
aimee@greatbearnativeplants.com
For contracts, apply on our Contract Grow page.
Native Plant Liner & Plugs FAQs
What exactly are liners or plugs, and how are they used in restoration projects?
Liners—often called plugs—are young plants grown in small propagation cells that develop a dense, intact root system before being transplanted into the field or into larger containers. In restoration and reclamation work, plugs are widely used because they establish faster and more reliably than direct seeding in many conditions. The established root mass allows plants to survive transplanting, anchor soil, and begin competing with invasive species sooner. For large-scale revegetation projects, plugs strike a practical balance between cost, survival rate, and installation speed.
Why do restoration and landscaping projects often choose plugs instead of larger container plants?
For projects involving hundreds or thousands of plants, plugs offer a practical advantage. They are significantly less expensive than larger container plants, easier to transport, and far faster to install. Smaller planting holes mean less soil disturbance, which can be important on slopes, mine reclamation sites, or sensitive habitats. Because they are already rooted in soil, plugs typically establish more reliably than bare-root stock and can begin expanding their root systems soon after planting.
What plug sizes does Great Bear Native Plants grow?
GBNP’s liner production focuses on container sizes commonly used in restoration and wholesale propagation. Most species are grown in approximately 7 cubic-inch and 10 cubic-inch plug formats, which provide enough root volume for healthy establishment while still allowing large quantities to be transported and planted efficiently. The exact container size used for a species depends on its growth habit and root structure.
What kinds of species are available as liners?
Liner production typically includes the core functional groups used in western restoration work: native grasses, sedges and rushes, flowering forbs, and a range of shrubs suited to upland, riparian, and wetland environments. Availability changes throughout the year as crops are propagated, grown, and shipped, so the most accurate list of species and quantities is always maintained on Great Bear’s wholesale availability page.
How far in advance should liner orders be planned?
Native plant propagation is tied to seasonal cycles. Many species require cold stratification, slow germination, or extended grow-out periods before they are ready for planting. For large restoration or reclamation projects, it is common to plan liner orders one growing season ahead, especially when specific species or large quantities are required. Early planning allows the nursery to schedule propagation and ensure the plants are ready within the desired planting window.
How many plugs should be installed per acre or per project area?
Planting density varies widely depending on project goals, site conditions, and the species being installed. Some erosion control or reclamation plantings use higher densities to establish ground cover quickly, while habitat or landscape plantings may use wider spacing and a greater diversity of species. Restoration planners typically determine densities based on soil stability, competition from invasive plants, and the desired structure of the plant community.