Community Resources

We’ve compiled this list of resources for DIY gardeners and fellow High Country community members who want to steward their land with intention. These are tools, books, nurseries, classes, organizations, and databases we personally trust and use to deepen our own knowledge and practice.

While we’re not affiliated with the organizations listed here, we believe in the value of the work they’re doing and are grateful for the education they provide.

We understand that hiring professional services isn’t accessible for everyone. The good news is that meaningful ecological change can begin right at home. With the right information and a willingness to learn, you can make a real impact in your own garden.

Our hope in sharing these resources is simple: to strengthen the ecological health of our region by supporting the people who live here.

Table of Contents

Native Plant Research & Databases

  • BONAP
    This database helps you identify what species are native to North America and what ranges they are found in. We find this extremely useful for identifying what species in particular are native to ranges within North Carolina.
    Visit Website

  • bplant.org
    This blog has in depth articles on individual native plant species with a focus on ecology. We use it to compare native species for identification purposes and to learn about broader topics in plant ecology.
    Visit Website

  • Flora of the Southeastern United States
    This is a comprehensive database of over 5,000 vascular plant species in the Southeastern United States. This resource is as close as we get to carrying THE plant ID book of all plant ID books when we’re out in the woods. Conveniently, you do not need to carry all the extra weight of those pages; it comes in an app called FloraQuest!
    Visit Website

  • Mt Cuba Center
    This is a botanic garden in Delaware that conducts native plant trials and shares their research with the public and horticulture industry. They are instrumental in bringing greater awareness to the diversity of native plants that are suitable for home gardeners and landscape professionals.
    Visit Website

  • National Audubon Society Bird-Friendly Native Plants
    This is a database that highlights native plants of North America that are beneficial to birds. You can tailor your search to be region specific!
    Visit Website

  • North Carolina Extension
    This database is powered by NC State University and is full of horticultural resources that include topics like soil and native plants.
    Visit Website

    North Carolina Invasive Plant Council- List of NC Invasive Plants
    Invasive plants are non-native plant species that cause ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage to a region. The North Carolina Invasive plant council compiled this comprehensive invasive plant species list in collaboration with the NC Native Plant Society, NC Natural Heritage Program, USDA Forest Service, NC Botanical Garden, NCDA&CS Plant Protection, and the Piedmont Land Conservancy. Each species on the list holds a specific ranking— Rank 1:  Severe Threat, Rank 2:  Significant Threat, and Rank 3:  Lesser Threat. We do not condone the use of invasive plants in our gardening practices and we highly encourage residents of NC to remove invasive species from their property.
    Visit Website

  • North Carolina Native Plant Society - Recommended Native Species Page
    This database highlights North Carolina native trees, shrubs, and perennials as well as their preferred growing conditions.
    Visit Website

Local & Regional Plant Nurseries that Grow Native Plants

Local Ecotypes

Local to Western North Carolina

Mail-Order

  • Izel Native Plants︱Ship nationally from growers based on your region
    Visit Website

Seed Sources for Native Plants

Local to North Carolina

National

Recommended Reading & Field Guides

  • Forgotten Grasslands of the South: Natural History and Conservation
    by Reed F. Noss

  • Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes
    by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West

  • Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont
    by Timothy P. Spira

  • Nature’s Best Hope
    by Douglas W. Tallamy

  • Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design
    by Benjamin Vogt

  • Gardening with Native Plants of the South
    by Sally Wasowski

  • Garden Revolution: How our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change
    by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher

  • Lawns Into Meadows: Growing a Regenerative Landscape
    by Owen Wormser

Learn & Grow: Classes, Workshops & Online Education

  • Cullowhee Native Plant Conference
    This year’s native plant conference will be held at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. This gathering brings together botanists, ecologists, mycologists, herbalists, landscapers, city workers, and all around plant enthusiasts. It’s a one of a kind experience where you get to immerse yourself in learning about native plants and communing with native plant-loving people for 4 days straight if you so choose. Highly recommend!
    Conference Dates: July 15-18, 2026
    Registration Opens: April 15, 2026
    Visit Website

  • Grow Like Wild
    This is a regular newsletter that garden designer Rebecca McMackin of Connecticut puts out every full moon! It’s chock full of the latest horticulture and ecology knowledge. We highly recommend it to anyone looking to absorb the latest, greatest, and nerdiest plant news!
    Visit Website

  • Meristem Horticulture
    This is the website of Dr. Jared Barnes which includes a myriad of educational opportunities, blog posts, and more. We find this to be a valuable resource for learning more about ecology based landscape and horticulture practices.
    Visit Website

  • New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL)
    This is an educational institution started by landscape architect Larry Weaner of Pennsylvania. It offers programs and courses for professionals and home gardeners to learn about ecologically-focused landscaping from professionals based all over North America.
    Visit Website

  • New Naturalism Academy
    This is a virtual school owned by landscape designer Kelly Norris of Iowa. It offers design courses that are catered towards landscape professionals as well as avid home gardeners.
    Visit Website

  • Prairie Up!
    This is the website of landscape designer Benjamin Vogt of Nebraska. He is an authority on the practice of naturalistic planting design and management strategies and tailors his blog posts, resources, and classes to the home gardener and landscape designers alike.
    Visit Website

Community Outreach & Volunteer Opportunities

Below is a list of organizations in and around the Boone, NC area where we spend some of our time volunteering. Come out and join us!