native plants

A gardener near Corunna, on the New South Wales south coast, reports Grevillea buxifolia, the grey spider flower, flowering in their garden. The sandstone-country native is admired for its unusual spider-like blooms but is described as uncommon in cultivation in that area, with nursery stock easier to find closer to Sydney or through Victorian native plant growers. Native plant enthusiasts are sharing the sighting and swapping tips on sourcing the species.

Nature photographers and plant enthusiasts are sharing striking close-up images of Sarracenia oreophila, the green pitcher plant, a carnivorous species native to the southeastern United States. The photos peer directly into the plant's tube-shaped trap, drawing appreciation from botany, ecology and carnivorous plant communities for both the species' unusual hunting mechanism and the photography itself.

A gardener collecting wildflower seeds during an evening walk shared their haul: blue sage, asters, goldenrod and other native species. The seeds are intended to help create a garden made up entirely of native plants, an increasingly popular practice for supporting local pollinators and wildlife.

A backyard naturalist in Illinois photographed a male monarch butterfly feeding on a New England aster, sharing the image with tags calling for monarch conservation. Monarch populations have declined sharply in recent decades, and observers regularly document the butterflies on native plants like asters, which provide crucial nectar during the fall migration south to Mexico.

A photo collection highlights standout home gardens across Australia, ranging from small urban rooftop plots to productive gardens on working cattle farms. The images showcase the diversity of backyard growing in the country, featuring vegetable patches, native plantings and creative use of limited city space alongside large rural properties.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has announced a $30 million Centennial Campaign to fund conservation work and community programs as it approaches its 100th anniversary. The fundraising effort is billed as an investment in the garden's next century of protecting California's native plants and expanding public access. It was reported by the Santa Barbara Independent.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a promising discovery concerning the Mojave poppy bee, a rare native bee tied to desert poppy plants in the Mojave Desert region. The finding offers hope for the conservation of the species, whose survival matters for desert pollination. Beyond the agency's announcement, few further details are available.

A local garden club will hold a presentation focused on protecting Florida's natural environment. Details of the speaker, date, and specific conservation topics were not provided. The event is expected to draw residents interested in preserving the state's ecosystems, native plants, and wildlife amid ongoing concerns about development and environmental pressures in Florida.

A couple in Illinois, self-described novice gardeners, have transformed their ordinary lawn into a thriving habitat for wildlife, according to a new feature interview. Their garden now supports pollinators, birds, and other native species. The story is drawing attention as interest grows in replacing conventional grass lawns with native, wildlife-friendly planting.

The office of Hawaii Governor Josh Green has highlighted how new technology is being used across the state to combat invasive species, which threaten native ecosystems, agriculture and water resources. The announcement underscores state efforts to detect, track and control harmful plants and animals, and comes as Hawaii continues to prioritise biosecurity for its isolated island environment.

Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan's East Village is getting new plantings, including freshly planted trees, a rain garden designed to absorb stormwater, and a small 'mini-forest' of densely planted native species. Local news outlet EV Grieve reports the green projects are now taking root, part of ongoing efforts to add greenery and improve drainage in the heavily used neighborhood park.

Garden writers are highlighting a native shrub that they say is underused in home landscaping despite offering many valuable attributes. The piece argues the plant deserves more attention from gardeners, pointing to its benefits in native and low-maintenance landscape designs. The article appears in The Detroit News, keeping the focus on plants suited to Midwestern gardens.