Filtering by tag: native plants

rhododendron in flower

Native Plants for Western NC

The best source for information on native plants in North Carolina is the NC Native Plant Society website. The website has a very useful list of native plants for the state. Their well-organized…

Flat Rock Park Pollinator Garden 2025

Flat Rock Park Pollinator Garden

The Flat Rock Park Pollinator Garden has seen some changes since 2017! After nearly eight years the garden has filled in nicely. Thanks to the hard work of Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of…

purple berry with green leaves

Embracing Change in the Garden

With spring's arrival, many gardeners are facing the task of replanting after the destruction of Hurricane Helene. The loss of mature trees has opened up once-shaded spaces, leaving sunny, exposed…

Tall shrub with many elongated green leaves in a garden bed with label and tile

The Pawpaw: A Hidden Gem of Western North Carolina

The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native fruit that has remained relatively unknown despite its rich history and unique characteristics. As North America's largest native fruit, the pawpaw offers a…

child in lawn

Environmentally Friendly Landscaping

Western North Carolina is one of the most ecologically biodiverse regions of the world. Unfortunately development and increasing population are threatening the delicate ecosystems of the area. Many…

leave the leaves

Wildlife Alert - Tiny Creatures in Your Backyard

Most people know that our home landscapes can be wildlife habitat. Most people are familiar with the more charismatic wildlife in our area such as bear, deer, turkey, white squirrels and even…

violets in lawn

Landscape Alert - Violets in Your Lawn Is a Good Thing

Violets are great for butterflies! One of the many you will find growing is Viola sororia, a native plant that readily spreads in shady lawns and plantings.

native rhododendron

Landscape Legacy: Utilizing Native Plants in WNC

The traditional lawn has drawbacks. Inputs such as herbicides, fertilizers, water, and mowing are expensive and environmentally costly. More and more people are allowing swaths of property to revert…

Maroon three-petaled trillium over large green leaves; text "© BLAEDOW"

Spring Wildflowers Are Here: Check Out this Helpful ID Guide!

Local Wildflower Guide For many hikers walking the trails and looking at plants goes hand in hand. Luckily every spring we get to follow the progression of wildflowers as we climb in elevation and…

trillium

Spring Ephemeral Flowers, Mosses and Ferns

Spring Ephemeral PlantsEphemeral means existing briefly. In native plant parlance, ephemeral plants refer to plants that flower on the forest floor in early spring before the leaves appear on the…