native plants

Gardeners focused on native plants are asking one another for blog recommendations, inviting people to share the sites they follow for advice on growing regional species. The request is drawing responses from the native plant and gardening community, with participants trading their go-to resources for planting, ecology, and wildlife-friendly gardening tips.

A gardener is being featured for encouraging the use of native plants in local landscapes, helping indigenous species take root in area gardens. The story highlights how planting natives can support local ecosystems, pollinators and soil health. It fits a wider trend of homeowners swapping conventional lawns and ornamentals for regionally native species.

Gardening writers are highlighting spicebush, a native North American shrub, as one of the best plants for supporting wildlife. The shrub feeds pollinators, hosts spicebush swallowtail caterpillars and produces berries eaten by songbirds, making it a popular choice for native plant and habitat gardeners.

Two solar farms in Minnesota that paired their panels with native flowering plants have recorded a dramatic 2,000% increase in the local bee population. The sites doubled as pollinator habitats, showing that renewable energy infrastructure can support biodiversity. The finding has drawn attention as an example of how clean energy projects can deliver environmental benefits beyond electricity generation.

A free Prairie Garden Festival will take place Saturday at the Cottonwood Extension office in Hays, Kansas. The event is aimed at gardeners and community members interested in prairie plants and native gardening. Details about speakers, vendors, or activities have not been released, but organizers are inviting the public to attend at no cost.

Visitors to the Australian Botanic Garden at Cranbourne, on Melbourne's southeastern outskirts, spent a rainy day wandering among native plants, many in flower, and spotted two bandicoots. The visit prompted reflection on how the site has changed since the land was acquired roughly 35 years ago, with the gardens now showcasing the region's indigenous flora and wildlife.

The Mālama Wao Akua 2026 exhibition will showcase artwork celebrating the native species of Maui Nui, the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Organizers use the annual juried show to raise awareness of rare plants and animals found only in Hawaii, inviting artists to depict local flora, fauna and conservation efforts.

Nature photographers are sharing images of fynbos, the distinctive shrubland vegetation unique to South Africa's Cape region. The photos show rocky mountains and native plants of the southern Cape, and the post has drawn attention from a multilingual nature photography community using English, German and Spanish tags. Fynbos is celebrated as one of the world's most biodiverse plant regions, found almost nowhere else on Earth.

A Wisconsin gardening column highlights bluestem grasses as a standout feature for autumn yards and gardens. The piece notes their seasonal color and value in the fall landscape, offering guidance for gardeners across the state looking to add native prairie grasses to their plantings this season.

Gardeners and botany enthusiasts are sharing photos of Asclepias incarnata, or swamp milkweed, a flowering plant native to eastern North America. The posts highlight its value as a pollinator plant, supporting bees, butterflies and other insects, and reflect a broader interest in planting native species to back local wildlife and biodiversity.

A Master Gardener column highlights native trees that provide strong autumn color in home landscapes. The piece encourages gardeners to choose species suited to local conditions, combining seasonal beauty with ecological benefits for wildlife. It is the kind of seasonal advice that draws attention from home gardeners planning fall plantings.

Restoration teams have planted 40,000 seedlings to bring life back to Yosemite National Park's degraded meadows. The effort aims to rebuild native plant communities and support the wildlife that depends on these grassland habitats, part of ongoing work to revive ecosystems damaged by past pressures.

Dutch-Australian artist Amok Island has unveiled a new series of geometric murals depicting vibrant local flora and fauna. His signature style blends minimal shapes with realistic portrayals of native plants and animals, bringing regional wildlife to urban walls. The work is drawing attention from art and nature enthusiasts alike, who are praising the fusion of bold abstraction and ecological subject matter.

Master Gardeners in Sarasota County, Florida are holding their 20th annual native plant sale, an event offering locally adapted native plants to area gardeners. The milestone edition highlights two decades of promoting Florida-friendly landscaping and native species among local residents.

Oklahoma gardeners planning their spring planting are being encouraged to design their gardens with local wildlife in mind. The advice, featured by an Oklahoma news outlet, suggests leaving space for native animals and pollinators alongside typical flower and vegetable beds. It is part of seasonal gardening guidance aimed at helping residents support biodiversity in their own backyards.