Natural Themes is a second generation family-run native plant nursery business based in Frankford, Ontario. Since 2006, we’ve been growing native plants and helping restore biodiversity across our eastern Ontario region.

Honouring the Land We Grow On and Steward

We are living, working, growing, and learning on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat peoples. We honor the enduring connection of these communities to the land, water, and all living things, recognizing their knowledge as essential to understanding and preserving biodiversity. As stewards of this space, we are committed to upholding these values. Through our dedication to native plants, we strive to nurture ecosystems and foster a relationship with the land grounded in care, respect, and reciprocity.

With gratitude, we acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of Indigenous Peoples, whose traditional wisdom and resilience inspire us to grow with intention and respect for all life, conscious of our place within the natural order.

Our Philosophy

Natural Themes is rooted in the principle that “Nature knows best.”

Native plants are part of the intricate relationships that sustain healthy ecosystems. They provide food and habitat for wildlife, support pollinators, protect soil and water, and contribute to the biodiversity that makes our natural landscapes resilient.

We believe in working with nature, understanding the conditions of each site, and choosing plants that belong in the landscape.

Whether it’s a small garden or a large restoration project, every effort to bring native plants back into our communities matters.

We invite you to grow with us — to learn from nature, reconnect with the land, and play a part in restoring the biodiversity that sustains us all. Together, we can create landscapes where nature and people thrive.

Meet the Team

Our roots run deep on the family farm in Frankford, just north of Trenton, Ontario. As our mother, grandmother, and now great-grandmother Bea has always said, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” — a fitting reflection of our family’s enduring connection to the land and to one another.

Where It All Began

In 2006, Bea Heissler established Natural Themes Farms, growing native plants alongside organically grown produce. Having taken early retirement from her career as an Outdoor Educator, Bea recognized how difficult it was to find plants native to our region. She began researching, collecting seed, and propagating native species, turning her love of working the soil into a nursery dedicated to biodiversity, ecological restoration, and sharing knowledge with others.

Throughout the years, Bea’s husband, Dan, has been a steady presence behind the scenes, helping with administration, sales, and the day-to-day operations of the nursery. He continues to lend a hand wherever needed and, perhaps just as importantly, makes a delicious coffee for the team’s daily break!

A New Generation

In 2025, Bea decided to step back from the business side of the nursery, passing the reins to her daughter, Maya Navrot. Retirement hasn’t meant putting away her gardening gloves, though — Bea still very much has her hands in the soil, growing the plants she loves.

Having been involved with native plants on the family farm for many years, Maya continued the nursery’s work under the name Natural Themes Native Plant Nursery & Ecological Services, building on her mother’s legacy while expanding its focus on ecological restoration and land stewardship.

Maya oversees seed collection, propagation, sales, marketing, and project coordination. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Biology and more than two decades of experience in public service and the non-profit sector, she brings a background in environmental education, land stewardship, and ecological restoration.

Alongside the nursery’s diverse selection of native plants, Maya offers ecological consultations, site planning, and planting services for projects ranging from home gardens to larger restoration efforts. She also works as a Planting Partner with Forests Canada, helping landowners access subsidized large-scale tree planting opportunities.

The next generation is already lending a hand, too. Maya’s son, Daniel, has grown up helping around the farm and now assists at the nursery, caring for potted stock and keeping the plants watered and healthy.

Family, Friends & Growing Together

Bea’s sister, Maia Heissler, has also been an important part of the nursery’s story. Over the years, she has helped with local seed collection, transplanting, and preparing plants for sale. Her deep appreciation for the natural world extends into her own business, Down-To-Earth Creations, where she creates nature-inspired gifts rooted in the woods.

In 2025, Amber Blewitt joined the Natural Themes team, bringing valuable professional forestry expertise to our ecological restoration and land stewardship work. Amber is a professional forester and the owner of Arrowwood Forestry Consulting. Through this partnership, Natural Themes and Arrowwood Forestry Consulting collaborate to connect landowners with professional forest management planning and related forestry services.

And of course, no introduction to our team would be complete without Raven, our furry, friendly greeter and enthusiastic team motivator. She’s always happy to welcome visitors, supervise the day’s activities, and remind everyone when it’s time for a break.

Growing Together

While the nursery has evolved over the years, it remains a family-rooted business built on shared knowledge, a love of the natural world, and generations of care for the land. Bea and Dan continue to be an important part of the nursery, working alongside Maya and the growing team.

Together, we carry forward the values that inspired Natural Themes in 2006 — learning from nature, nurturing biodiversity, and helping others develop meaningful connections with the land.

We invite you to grow with us — one plant, one project, and one landscape at a time.

How We Grow Our Plants

Species and availability of native plants are dependent on seed collection, plant propagation, and availability of plant materials from suppliers.

Most of our plants are propagated on-site from seed, division, or cuttings. Occasionally, we rescue native plants from areas scheduled for development or other activities that would otherwise result in their destruction.

We do not remove established plants from intact wild populations. Our growing practices are guided by a commitment to responsible propagation, ethical seed collection, and the conservation of native plant communities.

Work With Us

Contact us for:

• Plant selection
• Ecological restoration projects
• Site consultations
• Large-scale plant supply