Venturing into Fall with Native Plants

By Kendall Kelly, 2024 Fall Intern

The Conservancy’s Education team spent the morning of October 7 celebrating the unveiling of the new pollinator garden signage at Marina Park. Thanks to the collaborative efforts between the Conservancy, the BHA, the Village, and countless community volunteers, the exhibit is flourishing with pollinators and native flowers. Not only are native plants beautiful, but they are also crucial for supporting local pollinators and wildlife. 

If you’re as inspired by the pollinator garden as we are, why not create one at your home on Bald Head Island? As the summer madness and heat winds down, the fall is a great opportunity to spend time in your garden planting natives to preserve our unique, beautiful ecosystem. Although these months are cooler, fall is actually one of the best times to plant native perennials. The soil is still warm, so there is plenty of time for the plants to adapt and build a root system in their new home before the intense heat and stress of next summer. 

One thing to consider when landscaping is that 70% of new plants must be native to Bald Head, according to the Village code of ordinances. That being said, you can plant a maximum of 10% non-natives and up to 30% North Carolina native. Thankfully, the BHA has designed a color-coded guide that categorizes plants as native to Bald Head, native to North Carolina, non-native, or invasive. This guide also sorts plants by type (shrub, tree, vine, etc.) and by the environment they thrive in (maritime forest, marsh, dune), making it easy to plan your garden. 

Some of my favorite native perennials on Bald Head include:

• Coastal Morning Glory – This plant’s vines climbed their way across the Conservancy campus, leaving stunning light purple flowers along the way. A unique native, the flowers bloom in the morning sun, attracting several pollinators before the blooms fade by the afternoon. 
  

  Ipomoea cordatotriloba (Photo by Jennifer Wiggen)

• Beach Blanket Flower – You’ve likely spotted this plant along the dunes these past few weeks, with beautiful yellow and red blooms. It thrives in sandy soils and is a favorite of bees and butterflies.
  

  Gaillardia pulchella (Photo by Heather Bariso)

• Southern Seaside Goldenrod – If you’ve noticed striking yellow blooms around the island recently, it’s likely the goldenrod in action. It’s a hardy, late-blooming plant that provides vital resources for pollinators.
  

  Solidago mexicana (photo by Heather Bariso)

While focusing on native plants, we also need to address invasive species like beach vitex, which poses a significant threat to our native dune plants. The Conservancy’s Conservation team is working hard to remove this species, which threatens our native dune plants. This year, they’re using a more targeted approach, removing entire plants and treating the stumps with imazapyr herbicide. Chances are you’ll see them around the island this fall treating vitex or dumping the scraps into designated dumpsters to help  stabilize the dunes and protect biodiversity. If you notice any beach vitex around the island, do not hesitate to contact the Conservancy so we can remove it. 

Besides planting native plants, there are a few simple ways to continue supporting our local ecosystem throughout the fall.

• Install bird baths in sunny areas.
• Add martin houses to attract these migratory birds that help control insect populations, especially needed after the mosquitos flourishing from the recent floods!
• Purchase insect homes to offer shelter for beneficial bugs through the winter.
• Consider reducing herbicide and pesticide use, allowing natural ecosystems to thrive.

By making small adjustments in our own backyards, we can play a big role in preserving the ecology of Bald Head. So, as you prepare your garden for fall, think about the positive impacts of planting natives and providing a welcoming environment for local wildlife.