Wildflower Collection Coming Together

One of my ongoing projects here at this Certified Wildlife Habitat is to build an inventory of native wildflowers, shrubs, vines, and trees.  At the dawning of the 2012 growing season, that inventory has been building wonderfully.  In fact, counting new additions last week, I have a list of 20 living flowers and shrubs alone. 

Our vines are doing best: the Trumpet Vine is well established, as are grape and Virginia Creeper.  I have successfully planted Crossvine and Coral Honeysuckle.  In one or two more years I may have a blossoming of that native Honeysuckle that looks like the one in the photo (at Stevens Nature Center in Cary.) All are welcomed by hummingbirds.

As shrubs go, we have Blackhaw, and a new Beautyberry is growing quickly.

And the flowers include Butterfly Weed, Lambs Ear, Mistflower, Wild Ginger, Green Headed Coneflower, Solomons Seal, Jack in the Pulpit, Snakeroot, Eastern Columbine, Stokes Aster, Mock Strawberry, Bellwort, and Helianthus.

Not all of these support birds directly.  But overall they bring in a wide variety of wildlife that makes the property more attractive to birds.  And I have species meant to be here, and that can take the weather, and provide beauty for our eyes.

More are coming.  The plant layers are growing.  The project continues...