The Plant Ecologist's Blog

Companion Planting with NC Natives: Plant Pairings That Support Each Other

Companion Planting with NC Natives: Plant Pairi...

Gabriella de Souza

Native plants that evolved together in NC's coastal plain and piedmont have layered, overlapping relationships built into their biology. Here is what companion planting actually looks like when it is...

Companion Planting with NC Natives: Plant Pairi...

Gabriella de Souza

Native plants that evolved together in NC's coastal plain and piedmont have layered, overlapping relationships built into their biology. Here is what companion planting actually looks like when it is...

No Mow May: The Native Plants Already in Your NC Lawn

No Mow May: The Native Plants Already in Your N...

Gabriella de Souza

No Mow May is more than a mowing break. NC lawns that haven't been heavily sprayed often hold real native plant communities already blooming in May, from violet host plants...

No Mow May: The Native Plants Already in Your N...

Gabriella de Souza

No Mow May is more than a mowing break. NC lawns that haven't been heavily sprayed often hold real native plant communities already blooming in May, from violet host plants...

Lanceleaf Coreopsis and the Insects Only Native Flowers Can Feed

Lanceleaf Coreopsis and the Insects Only Native...

Gabriella de Souza

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) supports specialist bees and a moth that disguises itself with flower petals. Here is why planting native wildflowers matters beyond aesthetics, plus four other spring-blooming NC...

Lanceleaf Coreopsis and the Insects Only Native...

Gabriella de Souza

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) supports specialist bees and a moth that disguises itself with flower petals. Here is why planting native wildflowers matters beyond aesthetics, plus four other spring-blooming NC...

Five Native Spring-Flowering Trees for North Carolina

Five Native Spring-Flowering Trees for North Ca...

Gabriella de Souza

Bradford pears and ornamental cherries dominate spring nurseries, but NC has native trees that bloom just as beautifully and do far more for local wildlife. Here are five worth planting.

Five Native Spring-Flowering Trees for North Ca...

Gabriella de Souza

Bradford pears and ornamental cherries dominate spring nurseries, but NC has native trees that bloom just as beautifully and do far more for local wildlife. Here are five worth planting.

Native Vines for NC: Coral Honeysuckle, Passionflower, and What to Grow Instead of Japanese Honeysuckle

Native Vines for NC: Coral Honeysuckle, Passion...

Gabriella de Souza

Five NC native vines that climb readily, bloom reliably, and support pollinators and birds — a practical alternative to Japanese honeysuckle and other invasive climbers.

Native Vines for NC: Coral Honeysuckle, Passion...

Gabriella de Souza

Five NC native vines that climb readily, bloom reliably, and support pollinators and birds — a practical alternative to Japanese honeysuckle and other invasive climbers.

Carnivorous Plants of the NC Coastal Plain: Venus Flytrap, Pitcher Plants, and Sundews

Carnivorous Plants of the NC Coastal Plain: Ven...

Gabriella de Souza

North Carolina's coastal plain supports the world's only wild Venus Flytrap population alongside multiple pitcher plant and sundew species. This guide covers the carnivorous plants native to NC's longleaf pine...

Carnivorous Plants of the NC Coastal Plain: Ven...

Gabriella de Souza

North Carolina's coastal plain supports the world's only wild Venus Flytrap population alongside multiple pitcher plant and sundew species. This guide covers the carnivorous plants native to NC's longleaf pine...