Rewild Alabama : Native Plant Conservation

Rewild Alabama : Native Plant Conservation Species specifics will be most applicable to the N/NE part of the state (Alabama) however, are also applicable to the AL/TN/GA tri-state area.
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Citizen Scientists passionate about educating fellow citizens on the importance of maintaining and restoring the incredible biodiversity of our beautiful state and the Southeastern United States Always check databases to be assured that a plant is native to your area.

06/13/2026

Which native species will be extirpated next because people aren't willing to give up their beloved invasive ornamentals?

One major concern for people when it comes to natural landscaping is:"What can be done about the fleas and ticks attract...
06/13/2026

One major concern for people when it comes to natural landscaping is:
"What can be done about the fleas and ticks attracted by leaving leaf litter or planting tall grasses?"

Since most of us who want to attract wildlife to our yards also want to avoid pesticides, this is a valid question and concern.

So, here are some tips, tricks, and things to consider when it comes to mitigating this problem.
🌱 First of all, planting native pollinator-friendly plants will not only draw a healthy mix of beneficial insects to your yard, but they will ultimately attract birds as well. Birds eat insects, including ticks.
🌱Keep play areas for pets and children mowed. Mow the part of the yard you use to discourage ticks, which prefer tall grasses or shade to protect from extreme temperature changes.
🌱Mow a 3 ft path between any tall grasses or other areas of your yard that you use or play in regularly. Ticks wait in tall grass or shrubs for a host to brush against them.
🌱Put up bird and bat houses to draw insect-eating birds and bats to your yard.
🌱Rid your yard of Japanese barberry, which has been proven to harbor mice and the ticks that accompany them. The best pesticide-free method to control this invasive plant is to cut it back in March before the leaves come out and dig out the root system.

In addition, you can consider planting various aromatic plants which repel fleas and ticks from your garden areas.

Suggestions from Pollinator Pathway .org are as follows:
• American beautyberry, a native plant that also provides berries for birds
• Fleabane daisies
• Mountain mint, also a wonderful source of nectar for pollinators
• Garlic, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Mint, dill
• New England asters

🚫Notes about organic pest control methods:
There are many "organic" pest control methods on the market. Things such as beneficial nematodes, cedar oil, and garlic oil among others are absolutely more "natural". However, more studies need to be done regarding their effectiveness on target species vs their potential effects on the beneficial species that you are trying to protect. So, be diligent and informed consumers. Do your research and don't immediately give in to green-washed advertising.

06/13/2026

Early Lowbush Blueberry or Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) is beginning to ripen!

The berries are technically edible, but if you're expecting something like a cultivated blueberry, you may be disappointed. They're often small and somewhat bland compared to their commercial counterparts.

Fortunately, there's no shortage of wildlife willing to take them off our hands!

~ Fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkey, and many other birds
~ Mammals such as raccoons, foxes, and black bears enjoy the berries as well
~ The spring flowers provide valuable nectar and pollen for native bees

Go Touch Native Grass Challenge - Week 17💚My favorite parts of this week's adventures:~ Finding this blooming Pickerelwe...
06/13/2026

Go Touch Native Grass Challenge - Week 17
💚My favorite parts of this week's adventures:
~ Finding this blooming Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) by the TN River

What did you spot on your adventures this week?
Did you see anything for the first time (or even just the first time this year)?
Did you learn anything new?

06/12/2026

1) Plant Native Plants!
2) Remove invasives from your landscape!
3) Teach your children why you're doing it!

Invasive Species Spotlight: Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)With its tall flower spikes and soft, woolly leaves, commo...
06/12/2026

Invasive Species Spotlight:
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

With its tall flower spikes and soft, woolly leaves, common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) might look like a wildflower worth keeping, but don’t be fooled. Though often seen as harmless or touted for its medicinal properties, this Eurasian biennial has become increasingly invasive in many parts of the U.S., including open fields and disturbed lands in Alabama.

🚨 Why It’s a Problem:
~Introduced from Europe in the 1700s for medicinal and ornamental purposes
~Each plant produces up to 180,000 seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for decades
~Thrives in disturbed soils, pastures, roadsides, and open glades, often spreading quickly
~Forms dense stands that crowd out native grasses and wildflowers
~Its presence can alter fire cycles and native plant succession

❌Ecological Impact:
~Outcompetes native plants by monopolizing light, nutrients, and space
~Reduces habitat quality for native pollinators and herbivores
~Invades natural prairies, forest openings, and other sensitive ecosystems
~Can alter soil microbial communities due to its chemical makeup

✅ What You Can Do:
~Remove young plants before they flower...hand-pulling is effective, especially in moist soil
~Cut flowering stalks before seeds mature to reduce future spread
~Avoid using it in “wildflower” mixes. Many commercial blends still include this species
~Replace it with native alternatives such as:
-Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain)
-Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
-Solidago spp. (Goldenrods)

⚠️ A Note on Medicinal Use:
Yes, mullein has a long history in herbal medicine, but its value does not outweigh its ecological risk when it spreads unchecked.

06/12/2026

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) blooming along the Tennessee River.

If you love the look of Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes), consider this beautiful native instead. While Water Hyacinth is a Category 1 invasive species in Alabama, Pickerelweed provides similar visual appeal without the ecological damage.

~ Nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
~ Emergent stems provide cover for fish and aquatic wildlife
~Seeds are eaten by waterfowl and other birds
~ Helps stabilize shorelines and improve aquatic habitat.

Native Wildflower Spotlight: Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)One of the most iconic and cheerful wildflowers of North ...
06/12/2026

Native Wildflower Spotlight:
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)

One of the most iconic and cheerful wildflowers of North America, Rudbeckia hirta lights up meadows and roadsides with its golden-yellow petals and dark brown central cones. While often cultivated as a garden flower, it's also a native pioneer species, naturally colonizing open spaces and disturbed soils across Alabama and much of the U.S.

🦋 Ecological Value & Wildlife Associations:
~A favorite nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
~Provides food for caterpillars of species like the Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
~Songbirds like goldfinches eat the seeds in late summer and fall
~Supports a wide variety of beneficial insects, contributing to a balanced garden ecosystem

🌿 Landscape Value:
~Grows 1–3 feet tall, with hairy stems and rough-textured leaves
~Produces daisy-like blooms from early summer into fall
~Thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, but tolerates a wide range of conditions
~Ideal for pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, and naturalized borders
~Self-seeds easily, providing a long-lasting presence once established

💚 Historical & Cultural Uses:
~Used in traditional medicine by Native American tribes as a poultice or infusion for treating colds and swelling
~Its bold colors and easy growth made it a symbol of prairie restoration and native gardening movements

💚 Gardening & Conservation Notes:
~A great starter plant for new native gardeners...easy to grow and highly rewarding
~Often confused with similar species like Rudbeckia fulgida or Rudbeckia triloba; R. hirta typically has coarser leaves and a more upright growth habit
~Considered a short-lived perennial or biennial in many areas, but reseeds readily
~Beneficial as part of a mixed wildflower planting for both beauty and biodiversity

06/12/2026

Greater Tickseed (Coreopsis major) adds a splash of yellow to roadsides and open woodlands, but it also....

~ Provides nectar and pollen for a wide variety of native bees and other pollinators
~ Part of the Coreopsis genus, a keystone plant group that supports more than 20 species of specialist native bees in the Eastern Temperate Forest
~ Helps sustain butterflies, beetles, flies, and other beneficial insects
~ Produces seeds that can be utilized by birds and other wildlife

06/12/2026

Let's strive to make Coral Honeysuckle as nostalgic for Gen Alpha as Japanese Honeysuckle is for Gen X!

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