The Plant Ecologist's Blog

Native Plants for Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds in North Carolina

Native Plants for Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds in...

Gabriella de Souza

Ruby-throated hummingbirds return to the NC coastal plain in April and stay through early fall. This guide covers the native plants that feed them from first arrival through migration —...

Native Plants for Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds in...

Gabriella de Souza

Ruby-throated hummingbirds return to the NC coastal plain in April and stay through early fall. This guide covers the native plants that feed them from first arrival through migration —...

Native Host Plants for NC Butterflies: What to Grow Beyond Nectar Flowers

Native Host Plants for NC Butterflies: What to ...

Gabriella de Souza

Nectar flowers draw butterflies to your yard. But keeping butterflies breeding there means planting the specific host plants their caterpillars need. Here are five NC natives that support monarchs, swallowtails,...

Native Host Plants for NC Butterflies: What to ...

Gabriella de Souza

Nectar flowers draw butterflies to your yard. But keeping butterflies breeding there means planting the specific host plants their caterpillars need. Here are five NC natives that support monarchs, swallowtails,...

Southern Magnolia: A Native Tree Built for the NC Coastal Plain

Southern Magnolia: A Native Tree Built for the ...

Gabriella de Souza

Southern Magnolia is often treated as a generic Southern ornamental, but it's native to NC's coastal plain. This post covers its ancient beetle-pollination system, the wildlife it feeds in fall,...

Southern Magnolia: A Native Tree Built for the ...

Gabriella de Souza

Southern Magnolia is often treated as a generic Southern ornamental, but it's native to NC's coastal plain. This post covers its ancient beetle-pollination system, the wildlife it feeds in fall,...

The Native Trees Behind NC's Largest Moths

The Native Trees Behind NC's Largest Moths

Gabriella de Souza

Luna moths, Polyphemus moths, and Promethea Silkmoths are some of the most striking insects in North Carolina — and they can only complete their life cycles on specific native host...

The Native Trees Behind NC's Largest Moths

Gabriella de Souza

Luna moths, Polyphemus moths, and Promethea Silkmoths are some of the most striking insects in North Carolina — and they can only complete their life cycles on specific native host...

Native Groundcovers and Shrubs to Replace English Ivy and Nandina in NC Gardens

Native Groundcovers and Shrubs to Replace Engli...

Gabriella de Souza

English ivy and Nandina are two of the most widely planted invasive species in NC landscapes. This guide covers six NC native alternatives — groundcovers and shrubs — that fill...

Native Groundcovers and Shrubs to Replace Engli...

Gabriella de Souza

English ivy and Nandina are two of the most widely planted invasive species in NC landscapes. This guide covers six NC native alternatives — groundcovers and shrubs — that fill...

Why Your Native Hollies Aren't Making Berries: Dioecious Plants in NC Gardens

Why Your Native Hollies Aren't Making Berries: ...

Gabriella de Souza

Many of the best native shrubs for North Carolina wildlife are dioecious — they have separate male and female plants. Learn which species need a partner to fruit and how...

Why Your Native Hollies Aren't Making Berries: ...

Gabriella de Souza

Many of the best native shrubs for North Carolina wildlife are dioecious — they have separate male and female plants. Learn which species need a partner to fruit and how...