top of page
All Blog Posts
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_d114c1ae90a34d1082611fc8e3c089c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_d114c1ae90a34d1082611fc8e3c089c1~mv2.webp)
![Native Aquatic Milkweed Is a Pretty and Petite Monarch Host Plant for Damp Areas](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_d114c1ae90a34d1082611fc8e3c089c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_d114c1ae90a34d1082611fc8e3c089c1~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Sep 17, 20212 min read
Native Aquatic Milkweed Is a Pretty and Petite Monarch Host Plant for Damp Areas
My September native plant pick #5 is white swamp milkweed or aquatic milkweed (asclepias perennis), one of many native milkweeds in...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_b99cf9f806f04cfa95fa8dbeade28a48~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_b99cf9f806f04cfa95fa8dbeade28a48~mv2.webp)
![Boneset is a Thoroughly Valuable Native Plant](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_b99cf9f806f04cfa95fa8dbeade28a48~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_b99cf9f806f04cfa95fa8dbeade28a48~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Sep 13, 20212 min read
Boneset is a Thoroughly Valuable Native Plant
My September native plant pick #4 is common boneset (eupatorium perfoliatum), also called thoroughwort because of the way the stems go...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_07122f351d994f60a3ba38eba46f0a35~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_07122f351d994f60a3ba38eba46f0a35~mv2.webp)
![Native Climbing Boneset is Loved By Pollinators!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_07122f351d994f60a3ba38eba46f0a35~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_07122f351d994f60a3ba38eba46f0a35~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Sep 8, 20212 min read
Native Climbing Boneset is Loved By Pollinators!
My #3 September native plant pick is a rambling perennial vine I've only noticed growing at a nearby nature park in my intown Atlanta...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_3f357972d68e48eaa0c4179e8e2adc80~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_3f357972d68e48eaa0c4179e8e2adc80~mv2.webp)
![Frog Fruit Is a Valuable Native Groundcover!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_3f357972d68e48eaa0c4179e8e2adc80~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_3f357972d68e48eaa0c4179e8e2adc80~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Sep 4, 20212 min read
Frog Fruit Is a Valuable Native Groundcover!
My September native plant pick #2 is a fantastic low-growing, semi-evergreen groundcover called frog fruit (phyla nodiflora, formerly...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_ab2e689e5fc546e49c8b2199a3d0eb6b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_ab2e689e5fc546e49c8b2199a3d0eb6b~mv2.webp)
![Flowering Spurge is an Overlooked Native Plant](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_ab2e689e5fc546e49c8b2199a3d0eb6b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_ab2e689e5fc546e49c8b2199a3d0eb6b~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Sep 3, 20212 min read
Flowering Spurge is an Overlooked Native Plant
I just realized the summer is disappearing and I haven’t shared much about the native plants growing in my little wildlife sanctuary...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_9265531efcc24392a6b50754991d6bad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_9265531efcc24392a6b50754991d6bad~mv2.webp)
![A Successful Pollinator Garden is Messy](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_9265531efcc24392a6b50754991d6bad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_9265531efcc24392a6b50754991d6bad~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Aug 25, 20214 min read
A Successful Pollinator Garden is Messy
OR Did You Really Plant That Pollinator Garden for Pollinators? Starting in early spring a 5 year old pollinator garden at the entrance...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_957bdaeadbb84aa79d4e80288aee8629~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_957bdaeadbb84aa79d4e80288aee8629~mv2.webp)
![Hummingbirds and Windows](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_957bdaeadbb84aa79d4e80288aee8629~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_957bdaeadbb84aa79d4e80288aee8629~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Aug 16, 20212 min read
Hummingbirds and Windows
Drama unfolded in my small semi-urban rewilded yard recently when two ruby-throated hummingbirds, probably engrossed in a territorial...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_334c9fcdc08d4ab994fafd6b0a1cd253~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_334c9fcdc08d4ab994fafd6b0a1cd253~mv2.webp)
![Robber Flies are Ferocious Insect Hunters!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_334c9fcdc08d4ab994fafd6b0a1cd253~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_334c9fcdc08d4ab994fafd6b0a1cd253~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jul 31, 20212 min read
Robber Flies are Ferocious Insect Hunters!
Yesterday, when a robber fly landed on my backdoor window I felt like it wanted to say hi and have its picture taken because it...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_48f001ea5f3e4ef78457a736730339ec~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_48f001ea5f3e4ef78457a736730339ec~mv2.webp)
![My Moth Week Miracle](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_48f001ea5f3e4ef78457a736730339ec~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_48f001ea5f3e4ef78457a736730339ec~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jul 26, 20213 min read
My Moth Week Miracle
There seems to be a special place in all secular and religious belief systems for the idea that things happen for a reason. A few days...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_e03710adebf44ab181f02f3e7cecf6c5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_e03710adebf44ab181f02f3e7cecf6c5~mv2.webp)
![Have You Seen a Non-Native Invasive Sculptured Resin Bee In Your Yard?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_e03710adebf44ab181f02f3e7cecf6c5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_e03710adebf44ab181f02f3e7cecf6c5~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jul 18, 20213 min read
Have You Seen a Non-Native Invasive Sculptured Resin Bee In Your Yard?
A couple weeks ago I was excited to see a giant bee I had never seen before pollinating my clustered mountain mint (pycnanthemum...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_4fa7459dbd774c9683bf598fa0f43ff9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_4fa7459dbd774c9683bf598fa0f43ff9~mv2.webp)
![Pollinators Can't Resist Native Mountain Mint Flowers!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_4fa7459dbd774c9683bf598fa0f43ff9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_4fa7459dbd774c9683bf598fa0f43ff9~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jun 29, 20214 min read
Pollinators Can't Resist Native Mountain Mint Flowers!
Clustered or short-toothed mountain mint (pycnanthemum muticum) is by far the most popular plant in my yard right now. All day long it is...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_8b233f8498f54c59b05ad7977bdf93f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_8b233f8498f54c59b05ad7977bdf93f7~mv2.webp)
![Be Greedy About Supporting Wildlife in Your Yard!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_8b233f8498f54c59b05ad7977bdf93f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_8b233f8498f54c59b05ad7977bdf93f7~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jun 20, 20214 min read
Be Greedy About Supporting Wildlife in Your Yard!
OR How to optimize the habitat value of your yard. In his book Nature’s Best Hope Doug Tallamy explains how “greedy” he is when it...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_4c1619823ba74a709a3f93135b16fdf9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_4c1619823ba74a709a3f93135b16fdf9~mv2.webp)
![Coexisting With Snakes In Your Atlanta Yard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_4c1619823ba74a709a3f93135b16fdf9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_4c1619823ba74a709a3f93135b16fdf9~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jun 11, 20216 min read
Coexisting With Snakes In Your Atlanta Yard
Despite making my yard welcoming for wildlife, I still can't control what happens outside the safety of my sanctuary. The long list of...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_449ad9f715fb404390eb32b1918bf0c6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_449ad9f715fb404390eb32b1918bf0c6~mv2.webp)
![Why I'm a Fan of Common Native Plants](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_449ad9f715fb404390eb32b1918bf0c6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_449ad9f715fb404390eb32b1918bf0c6~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
May 9, 20213 min read
Why I'm a Fan of Common Native Plants
The traditional gardening world often fetishizes exotic and rare plants. The latest trends trickle down to homeowners. Big box and...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_a508c42c39274c609c2dd355d5350c8a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_a508c42c39274c609c2dd355d5350c8a~mv2.webp)
![Add a Mini Nature Center to Your Wildlife Habitat Yard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_a508c42c39274c609c2dd355d5350c8a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_a508c42c39274c609c2dd355d5350c8a~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Apr 26, 20213 min read
Add a Mini Nature Center to Your Wildlife Habitat Yard
OR How I created the Homestead Nature Center with a little help from my family As restorative as my naturescaped yard is for the...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_8a8b97c61d5546229d268b259acff30c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_8a8b97c61d5546229d268b259acff30c~mv2.webp)
![Atlanta Area Spring 2021 Native Plant Sales and Nurseries](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_8a8b97c61d5546229d268b259acff30c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_8a8b97c61d5546229d268b259acff30c~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Apr 5, 20215 min read
Atlanta Area Spring 2021 Native Plant Sales and Nurseries
Last spring most of the spring native plant sales vanished because of the pandemic. This spring a little normalcy has returned, but...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_60285aebd22b4500a22efd31d28e26d9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_60285aebd22b4500a22efd31d28e26d9~mv2.webp)
![Dear Neighbor: Your Mosquito Control is Environmentally Hostile](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_60285aebd22b4500a22efd31d28e26d9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_60285aebd22b4500a22efd31d28e26d9~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Mar 26, 20214 min read
Dear Neighbor: Your Mosquito Control is Environmentally Hostile
Spring in Atlanta means the return of the war on insects. If I combined everyone in my area into one person, this is the snarky letter...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_cd56e140f2284c00bf0ef40f0ff8d887~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_cd56e140f2284c00bf0ef40f0ff8d887~mv2.webp)
![You Can Only Have a Native Violet Bouquet if You Grow It](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_cd56e140f2284c00bf0ef40f0ff8d887~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_cd56e140f2284c00bf0ef40f0ff8d887~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Mar 22, 20212 min read
You Can Only Have a Native Violet Bouquet if You Grow It
Non-native roses are widely admired. Native violet’s value is underestimated. But if you grow violets in your yard. Nature will be...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_77e922d9addf4b60adeadc505b9c9734~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_77e922d9addf4b60adeadc505b9c9734~mv2.webp)
![We Can Teach Our Children How to Interact with Nature One Squirrel, Earthworm and Ladybug at a Time](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_77e922d9addf4b60adeadc505b9c9734~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_77e922d9addf4b60adeadc505b9c9734~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Mar 16, 20213 min read
We Can Teach Our Children How to Interact with Nature One Squirrel, Earthworm and Ladybug at a Time
OR Teaching Our Children How to Appreciate Nature Using the Peter Parker Principle. I was in earshot of hearing a neighbor’s young child...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_e5e539adda194c4c9da597f3d6745791~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_e5e539adda194c4c9da597f3d6745791~mv2.webp)
![Squirrels: Ambassadors for Coexisting with Nature in Our Yards](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_e5e539adda194c4c9da597f3d6745791~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_e5e539adda194c4c9da597f3d6745791~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Mar 11, 20213 min read
Squirrels: Ambassadors for Coexisting with Nature in Our Yards
Our house is our human nest but once we step outside, we share space with wildlife. Just because we’ve destroyed habitats to build our...
bottom of page