Some words from Amy:

Wing and a Prayer has offered native plants to feed pollinators since 2015.  My goal remains constant – to assist those of you who want to create and enhance life-sustaining habitat.  It is deeply satisfying to think of the thousands of seeds that I have grown into strong plants and dispersed to enrich landscapes that will nourish a diversity of bees, butterflies, birds, and other wild creatures. I thank all of my customers for caring about the escalating  urgency to respond to species decline. I thank you for taking action to diversify your landscapes on behalf of those small beings that have an enormous impact on the life of our planet.

I have learned so much from all of you who have transformed your landscapes into habitat, and from trying my hand at new plantings here on Honey Hill. I continue to experiment with growing new species to expand my selection of plants. I am growing as many plants as possible on native bee expert, Dr. Robert Gegear’s, list of plants for at- risk pollinators. His research and that of his collaborators has identified specific plant species that are vital support for bees and Lepidoptera species in decline here in Massachusetts. I welcome customers to come and see some of my projects in process including the ever-changing solar array planting, additions to the hedgerow we are reclaiming for natives, and an extensive garden of shallow-rooted plants on our septic drainage field (which we are calling the Sand Plains because it sounds much more appealing than the Septic Garden!) I am also happy to connect you with resources and with other pollinator projects blossoming in Western Mass.

My regular hours are still Sunday and Monday from 9-3, but I am almost always here and welcome customers on other days by pre-arranged appointment.  Call before you come to make sure I am around. 413-634-5659. Leave a message if I am outside and I will return your call as soon as possible. You are most welcome to come and browse and watch bugs any time!

AND THE NEW ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2025!!!

Wing and A Prayer Nursery came to life in 2015 when Amy planted the seeds of 30 native plant species with the goal of providing support for our wild pollinators. She nurtured these organically grown seedlings to maturity, planting many on her home ground and selling the rest to neighbors and local pollinator advocates. By 2024, she was growing almost 300 species of native plants from seed and supplying pollinator- nourishing plants for home landscapes, schools, libraries, parks, town halls, and other public spaces. The nursery sponsored educational classes and walks focused on native plants, insects, and habitat creation. As Wing and a Prayer grew in scope over the years, Amy was aging yet determined to keep the nursery going. In 2023 she began searching for a successor to replace her as the keystone to this effort.

Enter Elena Zachary – experienced landscape designer, graduate of Conway School of Landscape Design, and delighted lover of plants. Elena contributed her skills and knowledge to Wing and A Prayer in 2023 and 2024 while learning the processes and routines of the nursery. Amy, and Wing and A Prayer customers, appreciated her fresh energy, steady presence, her solid ecological values, and the bonus of her kind and easy smile. In 2025 Amy and Elena initiated a partial transition that will lead to a continuation of the nursery under Elena’s guidance. In 2026 Amy will step back and provide an advisory and support role, and Elena will own and run the business with her own style of loving care and the same strong ecological values people have come to expect from Wing and A Prayer. Elena and Amy are excited about this transition and Wing and A Prayer is committed to a future of supporting wildlife habitats built on the foundation of native plants. We are grateful to all who are making this transition with us.