The Plant Ecologist's Blog

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...

Native Bees of North Carolina: Plants That Feed and Shelter Them

Native Bees of North Carolina: Plants That Feed...

Gabriella de Souza

North Carolina is home to hundreds of native bee species, most of them dependent on specific native plants to survive. This guide covers the key native plants that feed, shelter,...

Native Bees of North Carolina: Plants That Feed...

Gabriella de Souza

North Carolina is home to hundreds of native bee species, most of them dependent on specific native plants to survive. This guide covers the key native plants that feed, shelter,...

The Four-Season Garden: How Native Plants Work in Rotation

The Four-Season Garden: How Native Plants Work ...

Gabriella de Souza

In NC zones 7b through 9b, each garden season sets up the next. This post covers which native plants anchor each quarter and why the rotation matters for pollinators, soil...

The Four-Season Garden: How Native Plants Work ...

Gabriella de Souza

In NC zones 7b through 9b, each garden season sets up the next. This post covers which native plants anchor each quarter and why the rotation matters for pollinators, soil...