Cape Fear’s
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Going Green t n a l P e v e i t d i a N ival Gu t s e F 9-18-21
your guide to local eco-friendly resources
2021 Native Plant Festival www.GoingGreenPublications.com
September 18, 2021
Volume 13 Issue 3
From the Organizers Welcome to the Sixth Annual Native Plant Festival! This year’s Festival is a hybrid event, taking place at the New Hanover County Arboretum and throughout the community on September 18, from 10–3. At the Arboretum you can enjoy exhibits and hourly gardening presentations, buy Ability Garden plants, and tour the native plant demonstration garden. We have lots of information to share through helpful Master Gardener handouts. This year’s plant sale is a self-guided tour of nurseries that specialize in native plants: you can buy directly from the growers and ask questions about how to care for plants once you get them home. See our map on pages 4–5 for locations. For the children, Ms. Raquel, outreach coordinator for New Hanover County schools and libraries, will do a storytime reading outside at Pine Valley Library at 10 a.m. on September 18. (She does a puppet show, sing-a-long or felt board activity in between stories.)
Why Go Native? Native plants are a wonderful choice for the home gardener. Plants that have evolved in your home region are suited to thrive with minimal care once established. They have also co-evolved over time to be part of the whole ecological system of the area: beneficial insects live on native plants (and not non-natives), and in turn are available as food for birds rearing their young and other wildlife.
Natives or Cultivars?
True native plants are those that are found in the wild in their original geographical areas and environments. Cultivars are plants that have been cross-bred either naturally without human intervention or those bred to have favorable traits, such as color, form, productiveness, or hardiness. If the cultivars are used for decorative purposes, no harm done. If the cultivars are used for commercial or scientific purposes, it is important to preserve information about the plants used to create the cultivars. Whether you use true natives or cultivars, enjoy the plants and treat them well.
Some useful websites offering information about native plants of Coastal North Carolina: ncseagrant.ncsu.edu plantnative.org www.fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/NativePlantsCoastalNC.pdf www.ncwildflower.org ncbg.unc.edu › Plants
New this year: A Native Plant BioBlitz activity the week leading up to the Festival. Grab your camera or phone and submit your “in-the-wild” photos of plants and the critters that live on them, and you might win a prize. (You may submit photos taken in Brunswick, Pender, or New Hanover County between September 11–19.)
On the Cover
Details on all these activities appear in the pages of this publication, and you can also visit arboretum.nhcgov.com or www.facebook.com/cfnativeplantfestival, or call (910)547-4390.
A leafcutter bee enjoys Asclepias tuberosa, also known as Butterfly Weed. Leafcutter bees are native bees, important as pollinators of wildflowers, fruits, vegetables and other crops. Photo by Amy Mead.
Our goal is to assist you in helping the environment by learning how to incorporate Native Plants in your gardens and to make everyone aware of the interconnectedness of our gardens to birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators. We appreciate your interest and hope you increase your knowledge and enjoy the Festival. — The Native Plant Alliance Festival Planning Committee
Thanks to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension for hosting the Festival and providing staff.
Special thanks to Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of New Hanover County and to Friends of the New Hanover County Arboretum for making this print publication possible.
Cape Fear’s Going Green is a quarterly publication promoting eco-friendly resources and lifestyles in the Lower Cape Fear River Basin. Publisher & Editor in Chief: Valerie Robertson Sister City: Eugene, Oregon (Voted “Greenest City” 2006 by The Green Guide) Eugene Contributing Editor: Mary Robertson Advisors & Editorial Contributors: Carol Bales, Shelby Diehl, Morgan Freese, Zachary Magee, Amy Mead, Avery Owen, Charley Winterbauer and the contributors to iNaturalist: aarongunnar, Lillie, Laura Clark, naturetrust, and Andy Newman (see photo captions starting on page 3). Cape Fear’s Going Green Going Green Publications P. O. Box 3164 • Wilmington, NC 28406 (910) 547-4390 publisher@goinggreenpublications.com www.goinggreenpublications.com Cape Fear’s Going Green is available by subscription or on our Web site. Print copies are available at more than 140 area eco-friendly businesses and locations, including: Arboretum/New Hanover County Extension Service, Aunt Kerry’s Pet Stop, Lovey’s Market, New Hanover County Public Library (Northeast Branch), Old Books on Front Street, Pomegranate Books, Tidal Creek Co-op, UNCW, Shelton Herb Farm, and many Harris Teeter and Food Lion stores throughout the region. Editorial: If you have story ideas or calendar items to suggest, email us at editor@goinggreenpublications.com, or call (910) 547-4390. Advertising information: Email ads@goinggreenpublications.com. Cape Fear’s Going Green is distributed free through Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. If you have a business and would like to receive multiple copies for the public, please contact us. The views and opinions expressed in articles in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of this publication.
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Native Plant Festival 2021
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Native Milkweed Choices to Support Pollinators In Your Garden by Shelby Diehl
Longleaf Milkweed, A. longifolia
Mutualism—cooperative interaction between species—has long played a central role in life on earth, impacting countless generations and creating harmony among select species. Species that practice mutualism reciprocally affect each other’s evolution, a term known as co-evolution. This is seen regularly in the animal kingdom, but one example of mutualistic relationships we can witness on a day-to-day basis is pollinators (such as bats, bees, birds and butterflies) and flowering plants.
Longleaf Milkweed needs wet soil, so for gardens with high water tables, these milkweeds will thrive. The milkweed sports flowers that are greenish-white with purple accents. The stems are slender, unbranched, and slightly pubescent, and grow only to about 8" to 28" inches in height. Longleaf Milkweed blooms from May to August.
A prime example of this is bees and milkweed. The nectar of the milkweed provides bees food and in return the bees spread milkweed pollen. This is important because milkweed is a vital plant for one particular species: Monarch butterflies. Monarchs require milkweed to lay their eggs on since it is the sole source of nutrients for Monarch caterpillars. These butterflies migrate northbound through the Cape Fear region in the spring and southbound in the fall. The following are a few milkweed species native to the Cape Fear Region that you can plant to support pollinators such as the Monarch butterfly.
Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed prefers damp to wet soils making it a great choice for home gardens with sun and not too dry of soil. The milkweed’s flowers are a deep pink, clustering at the top of a tall stem with a number of narrow, lanceolate leaves. These stems grow to be from 24" to 60" inches in height. Swamp Milkweed blooms from June to October.
Longleaf Milkweed. Observation © Lillie, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/12213775. No changes made.
Swamp Milkweed. Observation © aarongunnar, https://www.inaturalist. org/observations/14503760. No changes made.
Red Milkweed. Observation © Laura Clark, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3145444. No changes made.
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Red Milkweed, A. rubra Red Milkweed needs wet soil, so for gardens with high water tables, these milkweeds will thrive. The milkweed’s flowers are showy and vary in color with lavenders, pinks, and dull reds. The stems are narrow, growing to be anywhere from 16" to 40" inches in height. Red Milkweed blooms from May to August.
continued on page 6
Native Plant Festival 2021
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2020 NativeNative Plant Festival: 2021 Plant Festival: Plant Sellers and Community Landscapes
Plant Sellers and Community Landscapes September 18, 2021
Visit the onl interactive m
Where to See Native Plants: Palate Bottle Shop & Reserve 1007 N. 4th Street Wilmington, NC 28401
New Hanover County Arboretum Native Plant Demonstration Garden 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403
Cameron Museum of Art 3201 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28412
UNCW Campus Landscaping 601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403
Cape Fear Museum 814 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28401
New Hanover County Public Library: Main 201 Chestnut Street Wilmington, NC 28401
James E. L. Wade Park 3500 Bethel Road Wilmington, NC 28409
1898 Monument and Memorial Park 1081 N. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401
Halyburton Park 4099 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28412
New Hanover County Public Library: Pine Valley 3802 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28412
Carolina Beach State Park 1010 State Park Road Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Where to See Native Plants:
Hemp Farmacy 1402-1 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403
NC Coastal 309 W. Salis
Wrightsville B
Stanley Reh 3800 Canter Wilmington
New Hanover County Arboretum Native Plant Demonstration Garden 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403
Cameron Museum of Art 3201 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28412
Hemp Farmacy 1402-1 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403
UNCW Campus Landscaping 601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403
Cape Fear Museum 814 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28401
New Hanover County Public Library: Main 201 Chestnut Street Wilmington, NC 28401
1898 Monument & Memorial Park 1081 N. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401
Halyburton Park 4099 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28412
New Hanover County Public Library: Pine Vall 3802 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28412
nline map.
l Federation sbury Street
Beach, NC 28480
hder Garden erbury Road n, NC 28403
ley
Where to Buy Native Plants:
Where to Buy Native Plants:
Five Oaks Nursery & Tree Farm 2120 Old Winter Park Rd. Wilmington, NC 28405 Sale Hours: 9a-3p Contact: Will Massengill wiltmass@gmail.com · (910) 762-8637 Wild Bird & Garden 3501 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403 Sale Hours: Sat. 10a-4p; Sun. 12p-4p Contact: Jill Peleuses wildbirdgardeninc@gmail.com (910) 343-6001 Going Native Gardens 3501 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403 Sale Hours: Pre-Sale Thu-Fri; Plant Pick-Up Sat. 10a-4p
Ability Garden • Lewis Greenhouse New Hanover County Arboretum 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC Sale Hours: Sat. 9a-3p Heather Kelejian ~ (910) 798-7660
Visit the online interactive map.
Wild Bird & Garden 3501 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403 Sale Hours: Sat. 10a-4p Jill Peleuses ~ (910) 343-6001 Going Native Gardens Tour Location: Wild Bird & Garden Sale Hours: Pre-Sale Thu-Fri; Plant Pick-Up: Sat. 10a-4p Sorrell’s Lawn Care & Nursery Tour Location: Wild Bird & Garden Sale Hours: Sat. 10a-4p Christina Sorrell ~ (252) 286-5358
Shelton Herb Farm 340 Goodman Rd. NE Leland, NC 28451 Sale Hours: Sat. 8a-5p; Sun. 12-4p Contact: Margaret Shelton sheltonhf1986@atmc.net (910) 253-5964 Lumber River Nursery Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm 340 Goodman Rd. NE Leland, NC Sale Hours: Sat. 10a-5p Contact: Jep Whitlock whitlocknative@att.net · (336) 601-8787 Grizz’s Nursery Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm 340 Goodman Rd. NE Leland, NC Sale Hours: TBD Lloyd’s Nursery 6425 Windmill Way Wilmington, NC 28405 Sale Hours: 10a-4p Contact: Lisa Brinkley lloydsnursery@ec.rr.com · (910) 686-4984 Transplanted Garden 502 S. 16th St Wilmington, NC 28401 Sale Hours: 9a-5p Regular Hours: Call for Seasonal Hours Contact: Tom Ericson tom@transplantedgarden.com (910) 763-7448
NOTE: more contact information on plant nurseries is on page 7.
Palate Bottle Shop & Reserve 1007 N. 4th Street Wilmington, NC 28401
NC Coastal Federation 309 W. Salisbury Street
James E. L. Wade Park 3500 Bethel Road Wilmington, NC 28409
Stanley Rehder Garden 3800 Canterbury Road Wilmington, NC 28403.
Carolina Beach State Park 1010 State Park Road Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Five Oaks Nursery & Tree Farm 2120 Old Winter Park Rd. Wilmington, NC 28405 Sale Hours: Sat. 9a-3p Wil Massengill ~ (910) 762-8637
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Blue star indicates this is also a plant vendor.
Shelton Herb Farm 340 Goodman Rd. NE Leland, NC 28451 Sale Hours: Sat. 9a-4p Margaret Shelton ~ (910) 253-5964 Above the Briery Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm Sale Hours: 9a-4p Karen Mulcahy ~ (252) 258-0916 Grizz’s Nursery Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm Sale Hours: 9a-4p Michael Gore ~ (910) 547-4934 “Flytrap” Jones Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm Richard Jones ~ (910) 269-3943 Lumber River Native Plants Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm Sale Hours: Sat. 9a-4p Jep Whitlock ~ (336) 601-8787 Wild Meadow Farm Tour Location: Shelton Herb Farm Sale Hours: Sat. 9a-3p Chris Dean & Maria Ortado Lloyd’s Nursery 6425 Windmill Way Wilmington, NC 28405 Sale Hours: 10a-3p Lisa Brinkley ~ (910) 686-4984
Native Milkweed Choices to Support Pollinators in Your Garden – continued from page 3 Common Milkweed, A. syriaca
Why Seek Out Plants Native to Your Area?
Common Milkweed likes moist soils and spreads by rhizomes making it a good choice for large naturalized gardens with room to spread. The milkweed’s flowers grow as large balls of pink to purplish flowers. The stems typically grow to be 36" to 60" inches but can reach 96" inches in ditches and gardens. Common Milkweed blooms from June to August.
There are many varieties of milkweed that will grow in our area, even though they are not originally “from around here.” Why not plant those? When we grow plants native to other countries in our gardens, they may bloom at a different time than native milkweeds, giving Monarch butterflies miscues about the right time to start their migration.
Butterfly Weed, A. tuberosa Butterfly Weed prefers dry to moist soils making it a great choice for home gardens. The weed’s flowers bloom in clusters with yellow-orange to bright orange petals. These stems grow to a low 12" to 24" inches in height. Despite having no milky sap, it is considered milkweed, and is occasionally referred to as Orange Milkweed. Butterfly Weed blooms from May to September.
Common Milkweed. Observation © naturetrust, https://www.inaturalist.org/ observations/25556490. No changes made.
Win an (Out)Door Prize
The local chapter of the North Carolina Native Plant Society is proud to support the Annual Native Plant Festival. Come find their table at the Arboretum and enter your name in the drawing for this fine plant-themed wall clock!
Butterfly Weed. Observation © Andy Newman, https://www.inaturalist.org/ observations/5818566. No changes made.
The drawing is at 3, and you need not be present to win. While you’re there, see all the helpful native landscaping information available at the table.
Sources: https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01864.x https://www.growmilkweedplants.com/northcarolina.html https://www.wildflower.org/
Chapter co-chair Charley Winterbauer made this clock using cedar wood; it measures about 14” square.
Shelby Diehl is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington studying Environmental Science with the Concentration in Conservation and Creative Wiriting with a Certificate in Publishing. She plans to pursue a career in environmental writing that will allow her to advocate for environmental causes worldwide.
Native Groundcovers of NC North Carolina Native Plant Society Common
Scientific Name
Bloom Time/Color
Area Best
Planting Needs
Native Notes
Green-andgold
Chrysogonum virginianum
Spring, or later yellow
Piedmont Coast and Mountains
Part sun-part shade; average to dry soil
Evergreen; great as ground cover; deer resistant
Pussytoes
Antennaria plantaginifolia
Spring, whitish
Piedmont, Mountains, Coastal Plain
Mostly sun; well-drained, non-rich soils
May be only somewhat evergreen; spreads by stolons
Name Learn about the Native Plant Society at www.ncwildflower.org or email cewinterbauer39@gmail.com.
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The native plants below are all perennials and should return each year if planted properly. They all attract pollinators, provide a food source, and are available commercially. If your local nursery does not sell these native plants – encourage them to do so!
Adobe stock photo
Southeastern Coastal Area Chapter
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 depends on.
If you’re lucky enough to attract Monarch butterflies to your garden, this is what their caterpillars will look like as they eat your plants!
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Native Plant Festival 2021
Thanks to all our vendors of native plants! Here’s how to contact them after the Festival: Ability Garden (at the Arboretum)
Heather Kelejian • hkelejian@nhcgov.com • (910) 798-7660
Above the Briery
Karen Mulcahy • Karen@abovethebriery.com • (252) 258-0916
Five Oaks Nursery & Tree Farm
Wil Massengill • wiltmass@gmail.com • (910) 762-8637
Going Native Gardens (at Wild Bird & Garden)
Ask for Native Plants at Local Retailers Your local nursery wants your business. If you’d like to buy more native plants from a particular store, let them know of your interest in using North Carolina native plants. Here is a blank coupon you can use: photocopy or photograph with your phone and print it. Fill it out and leave it with the store if you don’t find the plant you’re looking for. The more people express an interest in purchasing natives, the more readily available they will become.
Joyce Huguelet • huguelet@bellsouth.net • (910) 395-4236
Grizz’s Nursery
Michael Gore • grizznursery15@gmail.com • (910) 547-4934
Flytrap Jones
Richard Jones • venusflytrapjones@gmail.com • (910) 269-3943
I use North Carolina native plants in my garden. Today I was looking for:
Lloyd’s Nursery
Lisa Brinkley • lloydsnursery@ec.rr.com • (910) 686-4984
Lumber River Nursery
Jep Whitlock • facebook.com/lumberrivernursery/ • (336) 601-8787
Shelton Herb Farm
If you stock this in the future, please contact me:
Margaret Shelton • sheltonhf1986@atmc.net • (910) 253-5964
Sorrell’s Lawn Care & Nursery
Thank you!
Christina Sorrell • facebook.com/sorrellsnursery • (252) 286-5358
Wild Meadow Farm
Chris Dean & Maria Ortado • WildMeadowFarmNC@gmail.com
Native Plant BioBlitz Celebrate native plants by helping us find as many species as we can!
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Join us on iNaturalist Download the free iNaturalist app, create an account, and "Join" our project.
Snap pictures
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Take pictures of any plants you see in New Hanover, Brunswick, or Pender county and share them on iNaturalist.
Discover more
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Volunteers will help identify the plants you share. Earn raffle entries by sharing more pictures! Prizes include private guided hikes, native plants, and more.
TINYURL.COM/NATIVEBIOBLITZ • SEPTEMBER 11-19
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Native Plant Festival 2021
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