Links and Uploads

Since healthy plants come from healthy soil, one of the best ways you can build healthy soil in your garden and lawn is by using compost. Resource from the EPA.

Guide to perennial groundcovers from the NC Native Plant Society.

Guide to perennial ferns from the NC Native Plant Society.

NC Wildlife Federation's guide to attracting butterflies to your yard.

Native species are those that occur naturally in an area. They are better adapted to local conditions, requiring less care once established. Native plants support our native wildlife, in particular our birds, butterflies and bees (pollinators). Introduced plants may become invasive, outcompeting the natives and not providing the food and cover our native wildlife depend on. This resource is from NC Native Plant Society.

As required host plants for monarch (Danaus plexippus) caterpillars, milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) play an essential role in the butterfly's life cycle. Vegetation management that allows milkweeds to persist can support monarchs. This guide from the Xerces Society and Monarch Joint Adventure can help you recognize the most common native species found in NC.

Compiled by Debbie Roos for NC Cooperative Extension

List of top 25 pollinator plants by season, plus list of native plant growers and seed suppliers Resource from NC Cooperative Extension and Sustainable Ag Agent, Debbie Roos

Do your NC neighbors and customers a favor-- don't plant or sell these! Resource from NC Invasive Plant Council

Use this form to certify your wildlife-friendly habitat garden. If the habitat meets the basic requirements, you’ll join the growing movement of Wildlife Gardeners and can opt to display a yard sign. You can also submit this application online at nwf.org/certify.