I grow mostly native plants. They provide food and shelter for wildlife. Almost all the new plants I add are natives. When possible, I add keystone plants that support a large variety of caterpillars. Dr. Doug Tallamy and his team of researchers at the University of Delaware found that 14% of the native plants support 90% of the butterfly and moth species. These in turn support birds who feed the caterpillars to their young.

The National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder is based on his research. I used it to find the keystone plants in my zip code. Below you’ll see some of the ones growing here in my west Raleigh NC garden, followed by some sentimental favorites.

But I also keep some non-native plants that I planted when I was more interested in form and fragrance than function. Gradually I’m replacing most of the non-natives, but I’ll keep those with sentimental value or spectacular appeal.

Keystone Plants

Flowers

Asters

Baptisia

Goldenrod

Joe Pye Weed

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

The Hibiscus Turret Bee sleeps overnight inside the closed flowers of this plant.

Violets (Viola sororia)

Shrubs

Buttonbush

St. John’s Wort

Trees

Dogwood

Green Ash

The Green Ash is the large, branched hardwood center left in the image below.

Redbud

small, deep pink blooms on a slender branch

Red Maple

The maple is showing its red autumn colors. We’re lucky to have a Baby Sport, clone of the magnificent Sport tree on nearby Dixie Trail. For years, Bill and Bett Padgett sold the clones with proceeds going to the Interfaith Food Shuttle and Meals on Wheels.