Rewild Alabama : Native Plant Conservation

05/31/2026

Native Wildflower Spotlight:
Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue)

Penstemon digitalis (commonly called Foxglove Beardtongue) is a native perennial found throughout much of the eastern U.S., including Alabama. Named for its tubular, foxglove-like white blooms, this plant lights up meadows, open woods, and gardens in late spring to early summer. The name "beardtongue" refers to the hairy staminode (a sterile stamen) inside the flower, resembling a small fuzzy tongue.

🌿 Ecological Value & Wildlife Associations:
~Attracts a wide array of native pollinators, especially bumblebees, mason bees, and long-tongued bees.
~Occasionally visited by hummingbirds and butterflies.
~Serves as a host plant for the Chalcedony Midget moth (Elaphria chalcedonia).
~Seeds may be eaten by small birds, and dense foliage offers some shelter for insects and ground-nesting wildlife.

🌿 Landscape Value:
~Grows 3–5 feet tall with clumps of upright flowering stems.
~Tubular white to pale pink flowers appear in early summer and are lightly fragrant.
~Thrives in full sun to light shade and well-drained soils but tolerates drought once established.
~Excellent in native perennial beds, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and naturalized meadows.
~Its dark green to burgundy-tinged foliage adds color contrast even when not in bloom.

💚 Gardening & Conservation Notes:
~Easy to grow and semi deer-resistant.
~May self-seed in favorable conditions, but you can deadhead if reseeding is not desired.
~Pairs beautifully with other early-blooming natives like coreopsis, columbine, and bluestar.
~Consider planting in drifts for the best visual and ecological impact.

05/31/2026

Mosquito fogging kills adult mosquitoes on contact, but it can also harm many of the beneficial insects that call your yard home. While mosquito populations can rebound quickly, the effects on pollinators and other beneficial insects may last much longer and impact multiple generations.

If you're working to create a thriving, biodiverse yard full of life, it doesn't make sense to kill it all with fogging!

The Mosquito Bucket Challenge is a simple, visible way to protect pollinators, birds, frogs, fireflies, and your family, but without toxic sprays. By safely targeting mosquito larvae, each bucket helps save the wildlife that fogging puts at risk.

It’s safe, it's affordable, it's better for biodiversity. And it actually works.

Learn how to make your own at the Homegrown National Park link in the comments!

05/31/2026

~ Nemesis Natives Series ~
Beneficial Native Species we've Been Taught to Hate!

Smilax sp (Greenbrier)

With their thorny vines and vigorous growth, Smilax species (commonly known as greenbrier or catbrier) often end up on the “least wanted” list for gardeners. But don’t be too quick to cut them down if you have some space in your wilder areas, because these native vines are ecological powerhouses!

🌿Here’s why Smilax deserves a second look:
~ Smilax berries are a critical food source for birds like thrushes, catbirds, and wild turkeys, especially in fall and winter when food is scarce.
~ The young shoots and tender leaves are highly nutritious and loved by white-tailed deer and rabbits.
~ The dense, thorny thickets provide safe nesting and cover for birds and small mammals, protecting them from predators.
~ Male Smilax plants produce clusters of nectar-rich flowers that attract bees, flies, and other native pollinators.
~ Historically, Indigenous peoples and settlers used the roots and shoots of some species for food and traditional remedies.

The ecological role of Smilax makes it a vital part of our native plant communities. If you’ve got a wilder edge to your landscape, consider letting a patch grow!

📸: Cathy Dewitt

05/30/2026

Invasive Species PSA:
Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica, formerly Fallopia japonica)

Japanese Knotweed may look exotic and lush with its tall, bamboo-like stems and heart-shaped leaves...but it’s one of the most aggressive and damaging invasive plants in North America. In Alabama and beyond, this plant is a serious threat to riversides, roadsides, and disturbed areas, where it forms dense thickets that outcompete nearly everything in their path.

Originally introduced from East Asia in the 1800s as an ornamental and erosion-control plant, Japanese Knotweed has proven to be incredibly difficult to control or remove. Once established, it spreads rapidly through both roots and stem fragments.

❓Why Is Japanese Knotweed a Problem?
~Creates dense monocultures, crowding out all native plants
~Spreads through deep, extensive rhizomes that can break through pavement, building foundations, and roads
~Provides little to no food or habitat for native wildlife
~Alters stream ecosystems, increasing erosion and reducing water quality
~Resists removal, often requiring years of repeated treatment

❌Ecological Impact:
In natural areas, Japanese Knotweed completely displaces native grasses, flowers, and shrubs...especially along streams, creeks, and floodplains. This leads to major habitat loss for pollinators, birds, and amphibians, while its roots destabilize soil and increase erosion. Its early spring growth also gives it a head start over native plants, which struggle to reestablish once Knotweed takes over.

❗According to the U.S. Forest Service:
~Invasive plants like Japanese Knotweed contribute to the decline of 42% of endangered and threatened species
~They compete for sunlight, moisture, and nutrients, and destroy native plant communities

❓What You Can Do:
✔Never plant or share Japanese Knotweed
✔Report sightings to local conservation authorities or invasive species councils
✔Remove infestations carefully
✔Restore cleared areas with deep-rooted native plants to prevent re-invasion
✔Choose native alternatives like Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), or Joe-Pye W**d (Eutrochium purpureum) for streambank or border plantings

Japanese Knotweed might appear hardy and ornamental, but its impact is devastating to our native ecosystems. Let’s protect Alabama’s rivers, woodlands, and wildlife by stopping the spread.

05/30/2026

Native Wildflower Spotlight:
Lilium michauxii (Carolina Lily)

Tall, elegant, and patterned with reddish-orange blooms speckled in maroon, Lilium michauxii, or Carolina Lily, is a late summer bloomer in the Southeast’s woodlands and open slopes. Native to Alabama and much of the southern Appalachians, this is the only native lily in the region with strongly recurved petals...a feature that sets it apart.

🌿Ecological Value & Wildlife Associations:
~Pollinated primarily by large swallowtail butterflies, especially the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
~Also visited by hummingbirds and moths, drawn to the strong fragrance and bright color.
~Seeds and bulbs are not typically browsed by deer, making it more garden-friendly than many lilies.

🌿Landscape Value:
~Stunning summer blooms from July to September add vertical interest and vivid color to woodland edges and sunny clearings.
~Grows 2–4 feet tall, ideal for the mid- to back-border in native perennial gardens.
~Prefers partial shade to full sun and rich, well-drained soils.
~Blends beautifully with woodland wildflowers like bee balm, blazing star, and tall ferns.

💚Gardening & Conservation Notes:
~Plant bulbs in fall, 3–4 inches deep in a well-drained, humus-rich soil.
~Mulch to maintain soil moisture and temperature, especially in southern climates.
~Avoid disturbing roots once established....plants can take a few years to reach full size.
~Consider companion planting with native grasses and open woodland perennials for naturalistic displays.
~Protect from mowing or development in wild populations, as the species is vulnerable to habitat loss.

05/30/2026

Go Touch Native Grass Challenge - Week 15

💚My favorite parts of this week's adventures:
~ This BEAUTIFUL Butterfly W**d (Asclepias tuberosa) from my favorite roadside stand of this species
~ Finding Indian Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana) on our property for the first time

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?

05/29/2026

Native ShrubSpotlight:
Caulophyllum thalictroide (Blue Cohosh)

Caulophyllum thalictroide, commonly known as Blue Cohosh, is an elegant woodland perennial native to the rich, deciduous forests of eastern North America, including Alabama. Emerging in early spring with distinctive purplish-green foliage, it soon produces clusters of small, yellow-green flowers, followed by berry-like blue fruits in late summer.

🌿Ecological Value & Wildlife Associations:
~Its berries are not commonly eaten by wildlife but can occasionally attract birds.
~Early foliage and flowers contribute to the spring woodland ecosystem.
~Toxic to mammals if ingested....caution is advised in areas with pets or small children.

🌿Landscape Value:
~Ideal for shaded woodland gardens and native plant understory plantings.
~Attractive foliage provides textural interest throughout the growing season.
~Combines beautifully with trilliums, wild ginger, and ferns.

💚Historical & Cultural Uses:
Native American tribes used Blue Cohosh medicinally for various purposes, particularly for women's health. It was historically used as a childbirth aid and to treat menstrual issues, though it should be noted that modern medical guidance discourages unsupervised use due to its toxicity.

💚Gardening & Conservation Notes:
~Prefers moist, rich, well-drained soils in partial to full shade.
~Thrives in dappled sunlight typical of mature woodland canopies.
~Slow-growing and best left undisturbed once established.
~Seeds require stratification and may take two years to germinate....patience is key!

Mysterious and resilient, Caulophyllum thalictroide is a perfect choice for gardeners seeking to replicate the beauty and complexity of native woodland habitats.

05/29/2026

Native Wildflower Spotlight:
Nettleleaf Sage (Salvia urticifolia)

Salvia urticifolia is a delicate, shade-loving native perennial found in woodlands, glades, and rocky slopes across parts of the Southeast. With softly hairy, nettle-like leaves and pale lavender to bluish flowers in spring, it provides subtle beauty and important early nectar for native pollinators. Though less well-known than some of its sun-loving relatives, this species deserves recognition for its quiet ecological contributions.

🌿Ecological Value & Wildlife Associations:
~Attracts native bees and small butterflies.
~Offers early-season nectar in woodland ecosystems.
~Contributes to the plant diversity of rocky glades and upland forests.

🌿Landscape Value:
~Typically reaching 1–2 feet in height, Salvia urticifolia prefers part shade and well-drained, calcareous or rocky soils.
~It thrives in naturalistic gardens, woodland borders, and native meadow edges.
~Its softly textured foliage and spring bloom provide gentle seasonal interest.

💚Gardening & Conservation Notes:
~Low-maintenance and deer-resistant.
~Tolerates dry conditions once established.
~Best planted in drifts for visual effect and pollinator benefit.
~Rarely available in nurseries....look for ethical native plant growers or consider propagating from seed.
~A valuable addition to shaded native gardens, especially in regions with calcareous soils.

05/28/2026

So you love the look of Ohio Spiderwort… but not necessarily how prolifically it can spread in a landscape?

Did you know Alabama has other native Spiderwort species that tend to be a bit more well-behaved in a lawn?

💜 Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) Usually grows around 1–3 feet tall with larger lavender to purple-blue flowers and a more upright growth habit. It prefers part sun to part shade with average to moist soil and can handle more traditional garden conditions well.

💜 Zigzag Spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) A woodland species with a softer, more relaxed appearance and distinctive zigzag stems. Typically a bit taller and looser in form than Virginia Spiderwort. It thrives in part shade to shade with moist, rich woodland soils and tends to spread much more gently.

All three species provide valuable pollen resources for native bees, including specialist pollinators that evolved alongside native Tradescantia species.

05/28/2026

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The land in Clay County will help preserve habitat on the southern border of the forest, improving public access and recreation.