Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, more commonly known as Cinnamon Fern, is one of those plants that feels ancient in the best possible way. With towering fronds, dramatic texture, and a prehistoric appearance, this native fern looks like something straight out of another era, and in many ways, it is. Cinnamon Fern belongs to one of the oldest…

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, commonly known as Blue-Eyed Grass, is one of those versatile native plants that quietly earns its place in the landscape. And despite its name, it is not actually a grass at all. Instead, it is a low-growing perennial with slender, grass-like foliage that blends beautifully into naturalistic plantings. In fact, when it is…

Standing anywhere from 3–5 feet tall, Helianthus atrorubens, commonly known as Appalachian Sunflower, is nothing short of a masterpiece in evolutionary beauty. With its cheerful yellow blooms and rugged resilience, this native sunflower makes a fantastic addition to cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, pollinator spaces, and native landscapes alike. If you are looking for a plant…

If you live in the 30310 area of Atlanta, Georgia, and are eager to restore the local ecosystem, there is one herbaceous plant that deserves a top spot in your garden, if not the top spot: Common Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis). From an ecological perspective, this plant is an absolute powerhouse. Over 90 species of butterflies…

So, you planted the garden. You stood back, admired your work, maybe even whispered, “Wow… this looks amazing.” First off: good job. Now comes the part most people underestimate, maintenance. Maintaining your garden is extremely important, especially in those first few years. Plants need time to establish themselves. The good news? Your hard work pays…

Hirta, meaning “hairy,” is the description for the short, stiff hairs found on the leaves and stems of Rudbeckia hirta, better known as the beloved Black-Eyed Susan. And while that may not sound like the most glamorous introduction to a plant, trust me, this native wildflower more than makes up for it. Just the other…

I love seeing Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) peek its head out during the summer months. There is something about all that purple rising up through or around green foliage that quietly announces summer has arrived. When the heat settles in and much of the garden begins to find its rhythm, coneflowers seem to step right…

Wildflower gardens should be planned with every season in mind. Spring and summer tend to steal the spotlight, but if you want your garden to keep offering beauty as the days begin to shorten, then Symphyotrichum georgianum (Georgia Aster) deserves a spot near the top of your list, especially if you are gardening in the…

The graceful wind gliders – butterflies – are always a favorite when it comes to attracting life into your garden. There are plenty of ways to bring pollinators in, but in my years of researching plants, there are most definitely two you’ll want to avoid: butterfly bush and tropical milkweed. Why? Keep on reading. Butterfly…

Connections are at the heart of meaningful, regenerative landscape design, especially in urban environments. It can begin with something as simple as a blueberry plant (Vaccinium corymbosum), placed near the street so neighbors can share in the bounty as they pass by. From there, it grows. Diverse plantings begin to layer in, comfrey (Symphytum officinale)…

Doug Tallamy is a powerful voice for those eager for action, he certainly is for me, at least. The University of Delaware professor has done incredible work bringing awareness to how everyday people can improve their local ecology and, in essence, begin to rejuvenate the land. His message is simple but profound: remove what doesn’t…

Shade gets a bad reputation. It’s often seen as the part of the yard where things just… struggle. Thin grass, bare soil, maybe some mulch that never quite looks finished. And so it gets ignored. But shade isn’t the problem. The plant choices are. Because when you lean into what actually wants to grow there,…

Time to talk about invasives, out-of-towners, or those pesky plants that take over fast, leaving little room for native plants to thrive. One of the first steps in turning your yard into a wildlife habitat that actually serves the local ecosystem is removing these species. Most invasives thrive because nothing here really keeps them in…

Properly named, a hell strip is typically a desert of land that sits between the sidewalk and the street. You’ve probably seen them around, or possibly have one yourself. It holds a mailbox, and beyond that serves no real purpose, except to annoy you by forcing you to run your lawn mower over the sidewalk…

There is something you can do when it comes to healing this planet, Atlanta! Bold statement in today’s political climate, I know. You see, our environmental crisis is also an ecological crisis. Hundreds of tiny insects are losing the game of life thanks to us, our comfort, and the unstoppable growth we seem to love.…

As summer begins to settle in, so do the mosquitoes. Like the guest no one invited, loading up their plate without bringing anything to share, they’re annoying. You could spray, but it’s worth noting that despite what many companies claim, these treatments often harm pollinators and other beneficial insects that are doing important work in…

Check out the planting plan below for those who forget to set their alarms to water their plants. Each of the following plants is found naturally throughout Georgia and will handle the Atlanta heat. I’ve done my best to estimate how many caterpillars these plants will support. Put them in the ground and watch the…

Before I reveal the list, let me start with a quick explanation, because there’s a good chance “keystone plant” isn’t a familiar term. The word keystone comes from ancient Roman architecture. It refers to the central stone in an arch, the one that holds everything together. Remove it, and the entire structure collapses. In much…

Most of us carry sweet memories of summer nights, warm air, the hum of cicadas, and the quiet magic of fireflies flickering across the landscape. These bioluminescent creatures are more than just nostalgic; they’re an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. By planting the right Georgia native plants, you can help support every stage of their…

I wanted to share a couple paragraphs for those out there looking for a bit of inspiration. It comes from an article by Kevin J. Gaston and Nathalie Pettorelli titled “An ecology fit for a crisis.” While this might have more to do with ecological research, I think it can still spark some inspiration in…

When people think of pollinator gardens, they often picture sunny meadows full of wildflowers. But in a place like Atlanta, often called the city in the forest, many gardens sit beneath tree canopies with dappled light and partial shade. The good news is that plenty of Georgia-native perennials thrive in these conditions while still supporting…

Native shade perennials are more than just practical. They bring beauty, texture, and seasonal interest to areas under trees, along woodland edges, or in those north-facing corners of your yard that rarely see direct sun. Even better, these plants are already adapted to Atlanta’s climate and soil conditions, which means less maintenance for you and…

Feels like that title is too cliché. Maybe I’ve watched Spider-Man 2 too many times. Anywho, the sun, just like water, is another free resource that, when treated well with the right strategy, can help your garden flourish for years to come. It’s no secret that all plants need sunlight. Even the ones that do…

I love looking at landscape design in more simple ways, the idea of stepping out of the constant fight with nature and instead observing, learning from, and working alongside it. It’s a grounded approach. And if that mindset is the foundation beneath how I design, then Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond by Brad Lancaster…