top of page
All Blog Posts
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_99583a1944aa4258a6a426100f1d1ae2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_99583a1944aa4258a6a426100f1d1ae2~mv2.webp)
![The Daffodil Dilemma in My Wildlife Sanctuary](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_99583a1944aa4258a6a426100f1d1ae2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_99583a1944aa4258a6a426100f1d1ae2~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Mar 7, 20213 min read
The Daffodil Dilemma in My Wildlife Sanctuary
In early spring my yard becomes a carpet of naturalized daffodils thanks to the hundreds of bulbs I strategically planted years ago. So...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_3617c831239f47c89ae996c9ac9a8357~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_3617c831239f47c89ae996c9ac9a8357~mv2.webp)
![Clean Bird Feeders = Healthy Birds](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_3617c831239f47c89ae996c9ac9a8357~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_3617c831239f47c89ae996c9ac9a8357~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Mar 1, 20214 min read
Clean Bird Feeders = Healthy Birds
I don’t want to be the reason a bird gets sick or even dies so I’m diligent about keeping my bird feeders clean. A dirty feeder can host...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_0bdb2554637a4b97a19a5dfbb1d4e76e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_0bdb2554637a4b97a19a5dfbb1d4e76e~mv2.webp)
![There's a Certification (or Sign) For Every Kind of Eco-Friendly Yard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_0bdb2554637a4b97a19a5dfbb1d4e76e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_0bdb2554637a4b97a19a5dfbb1d4e76e~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Feb 23, 20216 min read
There's a Certification (or Sign) For Every Kind of Eco-Friendly Yard
Whether you consider your yard a pollinator habitat, native plant habitat, wildlife sanctuary, wildlife habitat, green landscape, native...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_f8311df23ec04cc589793f935298f20b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_f8311df23ec04cc589793f935298f20b~mv2.webp)
![Reasons to Certify Your Rewilded Yard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_f8311df23ec04cc589793f935298f20b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_f8311df23ec04cc589793f935298f20b~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Feb 17, 20213 min read
Reasons to Certify Your Rewilded Yard
In the summer when everything is at their peak countless people walking by smile and warmly thank me for my magical and exuberant yard...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_dd88bf7db4874b618d24e336a8966702~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_dd88bf7db4874b618d24e336a8966702~mv2.webp)
![The Prime Directive and the Owlet Looper Caterpillar Dilemma](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_dd88bf7db4874b618d24e336a8966702~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_dd88bf7db4874b618d24e336a8966702~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Feb 11, 20213 min read
The Prime Directive and the Owlet Looper Caterpillar Dilemma
OR Coexisting with nature is as complex as trying to follow Star Trek’s Prime Directive. In anticipation of the first hard freeze back at...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_67fdeeaed1b1400b9e0c2c4a41b92417~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_67fdeeaed1b1400b9e0c2c4a41b92417~mv2.webp)
![Native Wild Strawberry Fields Forever](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_67fdeeaed1b1400b9e0c2c4a41b92417~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_67fdeeaed1b1400b9e0c2c4a41b92417~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Feb 5, 20213 min read
Native Wild Strawberry Fields Forever
On the interactive National Wildlife Federation site you can punch in your zip code and learn the top butterfly and moth host plants in...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_811c9bf821944fecb82c2a02fc2ccf73~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_811c9bf821944fecb82c2a02fc2ccf73~mv2.webp)
![Replace Non-native Shrubs With High Impact Native Shrubs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_811c9bf821944fecb82c2a02fc2ccf73~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_811c9bf821944fecb82c2a02fc2ccf73~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jan 31, 20213 min read
Replace Non-native Shrubs With High Impact Native Shrubs
Rewilding a semi-urban yard to create an eco-friendly sanctuary is more emotional than I anticipated. Almost a year and a half ago after...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_0bc1b70a5cd940a996302111a49b9416~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_0bc1b70a5cd940a996302111a49b9416~mv2.webp)
![In My Yard Hellebores are Pernicious Weeds!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_0bc1b70a5cd940a996302111a49b9416~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_0bc1b70a5cd940a996302111a49b9416~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jan 27, 20212 min read
In My Yard Hellebores are Pernicious Weeds!
OR Why I Anticipate HELLebores Will Eventually Earn a Spot on Georgia’s Exotic Invasive Species List Predicting which non-native plants...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_8976d96659364c29a58ba087814c9aba~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_8976d96659364c29a58ba087814c9aba~mv2.webp)
![Plant a Glorious Goldenrod Garden This Year!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_8976d96659364c29a58ba087814c9aba~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_8976d96659364c29a58ba087814c9aba~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jan 10, 20213 min read
Plant a Glorious Goldenrod Garden This Year!
OR Do You Think Growing 19 Varieties of Goldenrod is Enough?! I currently have more varieties of goldenrod than any other native plant...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_642cfae4970c4121af221b0705cc2cc7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_642cfae4970c4121af221b0705cc2cc7~mv2.webp)
![Nine Bright and Easy Native Goldenrods to Add to Your Atlanta Naturescape (Natural Landscape)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_642cfae4970c4121af221b0705cc2cc7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_642cfae4970c4121af221b0705cc2cc7~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Jan 5, 20214 min read
Nine Bright and Easy Native Goldenrods to Add to Your Atlanta Naturescape (Natural Landscape)
OR Add Biodiversity to Your Native Plant Habitat with More Goldenrod` OR Can You Ever Really Have Enough Goldenrod? (Edited 12.3.22 to...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_9fb149a5fbc54a63b29aba936dddfaa7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_9fb149a5fbc54a63b29aba936dddfaa7~mv2.webp)
![Why Goldenrod is Native Plant Gold](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_9fb149a5fbc54a63b29aba936dddfaa7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_9fb149a5fbc54a63b29aba936dddfaa7~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 31, 20202 min read
Why Goldenrod is Native Plant Gold
OR Goldenrod's Many Charms. In my previous post I explain why everyone in the native plant world is talking about goldenrod (solidago). A...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_198c481afef249ceb48ad0812d9a3032~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_198c481afef249ceb48ad0812d9a3032~mv2.webp)
![Goldenrod (Solidago) is Trending!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_198c481afef249ceb48ad0812d9a3032~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_198c481afef249ceb48ad0812d9a3032~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 29, 20202 min read
Goldenrod (Solidago) is Trending!
OR If You Only Add One Native Plant to Your Yard, Make it Goldenrod! Keystone plant species are what native plant guru Doug Tallamy calls...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_fe6624f359ac4a09a991b5cac36490d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_fe6624f359ac4a09a991b5cac36490d8~mv2.webp)
![What Do Pest Control Companies Want to Teach Our Kids?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_fe6624f359ac4a09a991b5cac36490d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_fe6624f359ac4a09a991b5cac36490d8~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 23, 20202 min read
What Do Pest Control Companies Want to Teach Our Kids?
OR Teach Kids About Butterflies Before Termites. I try hard to focus on positive ways to nurture nature, but when I learn about nature...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_80ba7557ffed4992abcbe72c95ee45c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_80ba7557ffed4992abcbe72c95ee45c1~mv2.webp)
![Can Pest Control Companies Help You Coexist with Nature?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_80ba7557ffed4992abcbe72c95ee45c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_80ba7557ffed4992abcbe72c95ee45c1~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 19, 20202 min read
Can Pest Control Companies Help You Coexist with Nature?
When I found a beautiful spider in the middle of cobwebs on my rarely used garden rake, I started searching the internet to learn more...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_22d6882c1c1844fb82711067ae95265f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_22d6882c1c1844fb82711067ae95265f~mv2.webp)
![In Defense of Grasshoppers](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_22d6882c1c1844fb82711067ae95265f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_22d6882c1c1844fb82711067ae95265f~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 12, 20202 min read
In Defense of Grasshoppers
OR Without Grasshoppers We Won't Have Birds. On a recent balmy winter day, I walked down a path in my yard and a handful of grasshoppers...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_c6b947c686f04420bfaa4282a91e550f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_c6b947c686f04420bfaa4282a91e550f~mv2.webp)
![I'm An Eco Bag Lady](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_c6b947c686f04420bfaa4282a91e550f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_c6b947c686f04420bfaa4282a91e550f~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 9, 20203 min read
I'm An Eco Bag Lady
OR I'm a Naturescape Organic Matter Scavenger Part Two. Much to the embarrassment of my sweet husband, I’m an eco bag lady. When we walk...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_99e3a27a54b24e5abba049e2b3e1ab4c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_99e3a27a54b24e5abba049e2b3e1ab4c~mv2.webp)
![Can I Have Your Coneflower Seedheads?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_99e3a27a54b24e5abba049e2b3e1ab4c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_99e3a27a54b24e5abba049e2b3e1ab4c~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Dec 8, 20201 min read
Can I Have Your Coneflower Seedheads?
OR I’m a Naturescape Organic Matter Scavenger Part One Last month when I saw a nearby neighbor deadheading her large patch of native...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_18850a0074e24b0797c1665f49416b38~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/c0f5a5_18850a0074e24b0797c1665f49416b38~mv2.webp)
![Is That a Leaf or Chrysalis?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c0f5a5_18850a0074e24b0797c1665f49416b38~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/c0f5a5_18850a0074e24b0797c1665f49416b38~mv2.webp)
ljmarkson
Nov 25, 20202 min read
Is That a Leaf or Chrysalis?
OR Please Don't Cut Down Your Plants in the Fall! One of the golden rules of nurturing native nature is the same as the golden rule in...
bottom of page