Please note that this list will grow and evolve with time. Suggestions are encouraged though I’m trying to keep regional specific references to the SE, NC or zone 8 in the US. Thanks!
General Info and organizations
NC Native Plant Society (See if there’s a chapter in your state or area)
Native Plant Trust (National database)
Grow It, Build It (homestead blog, native landscaping, soil)
RNGR: Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetic Resources (governmental agencies)
Plant Databases
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plants of North America
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
UNC Chapel Hill Herbarium, For super nerdy gardeners, a specimen portal for the southeastern US
Native Plant Info
Mt. Cuba Center, Plant trials and results
Chicago Botanical Gardens, Plant evaluations, comparative studies and trials
Plants for Soft Landings, Ecology, best practices and plant lists
Top 25 Native Pollinator Plants for North Carolina, Debbie Roos of NC Cooperative Extension, Based on research from her Pollinator Paradise demonstration garden in Pittsboro, NC
Native Grasses of North Carolina, A comprehensive list of these ‘vital components of natural communities’
Carex Comparison Chart, Courtesy of Izel Native Plants
Favorite Ferns for NC Gardens, Courtesy of the North Carolina Native Plant Society
Favorite Ground covers for NC Gardens, Courtesy of the North Carolina Native Plant Society
Native Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden, Good list sorted by sizes, soil types, flowers and wildlife, Courtesy of the North Carolina Botanical Garden
Native Plants for Your Backyard, Native Plants for the Southeastern United States courtesy of the US Fish & Wildlife Service
Native shrub alternatives to commonly used invasive ones. https://mgnv.org/invasive-plants/native-alternatives-to-overused-foundation-plants-part-i/
Landscape Ideas and Designs
Native Landscape Plans, Easy landscape plans geared for the Midwest but easily adaptable to different locations, Courtesy of Grow Native! Missouri Prairie Foundation
How to Pick Native Plants for drainage areas, Ecology overview, plant profiles and suggestions for use, Courtesy of Izel Native Plants
Monarch Gardens, LLC, From Nebraska so focus is the central plains states but useful articles for anyone
NC Coastal Landscaping Designs, a resource produced by the Coastal Landscape Initiative. Landscape plans for a variety of garden situations
Meant for buffer areas close to waterways, this guide has so many great landscape plans and ideas that anyone can interpret for their own smaller scale home landscapes. Learning more about waterway buffers and why they’re important isn’t without a miss either!
Designs range from 300 to over 4,000 sq ft. https://dnr.maryland.gov/criticalarea/Documents/GreenBook_Buffer.pdf
Where to Find
Plant Native (National database)
NC Botanical Garden: Recommended Sources for Southeastern Native Plants
Stowe Conservancy, Belmont, NC
Rachel’s Native Plants, Pittsboro, NC
Izel Native Plants (mail order, plugs)
In the Charlotte area:
Carolina Heritage Nursery: Matthews Farmer’s Market or scheduled appointment Waxhaw, SC
Queen City Native Nursery: shop online, schedule pick up in Coulwood West in Northwest Charlotte
Bring Back the Butterflies : shop online or schedule a pick up in Wesley Heights, or at the Uptown Farmers Market
All about Invasives
USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
Booklet: Controlling Invasive Plants, copyright 2007 North Carolina Botanical Garden
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