For all you landscape and garden lovers know that we are experiencing challenges to the way we grow things, to what types of plants we select and to how we promote processes like pollination.  Changes in temperature, and longer periods of dry weather, just to name a few need to be considered in our selections for this year.

So, if your home garden has left you dissatisfied, don’t beat yourself up about it.  All is not lost!  Consider exploring plants that promote wildlife populations in our area. Plants native to the areas you live in are easier to grow! Since plants like sunflowers, wild petunias and mistletoe have adapted their growth to life in the North Carolina area, they require little maintenance. They have adapted to the sandy and acidic soil that Wilmington is famous for.

Additionally, native plants attract local butterflies and bees, which promote even healthier plant growth. Caterpillars are picky eaters, so if you want to attract some butterflies, you have to go with the plants they are used to. Plus, if you are a lazy gardener, native plants are the way to go! Native plants that attract birds, butterflies and bees are best when left untidy, so do your part and follow in mother nature’s footsteps!

Non-native plants create competition for native ones, eventually becoming naturalized, which means that they survive, spread, and reproduce on their own. Treat your garden and community with love by planting native.