North Carolina’s diverse ecosystems make it a perfect place to create wildlife-friendly gardens. By incorporating a few thoughtful design elements, you can transform your ordinary yard into a vibrant habitat that attracts birds, butterflies, and beneficial creatures year-round.
I’ve watched my own Raleigh garden become a bustling wildlife sanctuary with just a few simple changes – here’s how you can do the same.
1. Native Flower Meadows
Wildflower patches create instant habitat for countless pollinators. Black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and bee balm thrive in our Carolina climate while providing essential nectar sources.
Leave these areas unmowed and slightly messy – what looks untidy to humans offers critical shelter for beneficial insects. Many butterfly species will only lay eggs on specific native plants…