Birmingham Botanical Gardens Native Plant Conference Kicks Off March 11




 Shea Robinson | Central Library Fiction Department 

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hosting its 2021 Native Plant Conference this week. It kicks off on Thursday, March 11 and concludes on Sunday, March 14, 2021.

 This year’s theme is “Growing Resilience” featuring virtual presentations and roundtable discussions regarding the resilience of southeastern native plants. The conference will also incorporate observation sessions of Alabama’s native plant species on-site. 

The  Birmingham Public Library has an extensive collection of materials referencing native plants.

Check out the following selections:




 In today’s South, where fine gardening is a tradition, many homeowners and professional gardeners are discovering a vast 'new' palette of plant materials -- native plants. They are realizing that these native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, and grasses are far better suited, and therefore easier to grow and maintain, than most of the imported plants that populate traditional landscapes. 

In this book, landscape designer Sally Wasowski offers and exciting vision of the many possibilities and advantages of 'going native.' Lavishly illustrated with more than 300 gorgeous color photographs and garden plans, this book is both an introduction to 280 of the most familiar and easiest-to-find native plants of the South and a basic primer on how to use them effectively.





Gil Nelson has created an indispensable, authoritative publication that describes and recommends high-performing native plants, tells readers how to avoid the use of invasive species in their gardens, and highlights the design of several specialty and wildlife gardens. 

With the help of regional experts, the included species have been selected based on field visits to retail and wholesale nurseries, private and public gardens and arboreta, personal knowledge and experience, and discussions with landscape and gardening enthusiasts, professionals, and experts throughout the region. The inclusion of more than 600 color photos makes this an easy-to-use, valuable addition to any gardener's library.



Using native plants in a garden has many benefits. They attract beneficial wildlife and insects, they allow a gardener to create a garden that reflects the native beauty of the region, and they make a garden more sustainable. Because of all this, they are an increasingly popular plant choice for home and public gardens. Native Plants of the Southeast shows you how to choose the best native plants and how to use them in the garden. 

This complete guide is an invaluable resource, with plant profiles for over 460 species of trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. Comprehensive lists recommend particular plants for difficult situations, as well as plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.




Bring your garden to life--and life to your garden. Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our Southeast region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment--from reducing maintenance tasks to attracting earth-friendly pollinators such as native birds, butterflies, and bees. 

Native plant experts Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross make adding these superstar plants easier than ever before, with proven advice that every home gardener can follow. This incomparable sourcebook includes 225 recommended native ferns, grasses, wildflowers, perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees. It's everything you need to know to create a beautiful and beneficial garden. This must-have handbook is for gardeners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. 

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