Deep Roots Natives

While crape myrtles are popular, North Carolina natives like the Serviceberry or Redbud offer stunning seasonal color and superior support for local pollinators. These native trees are naturally adapted to our specific heat and humidity, making them more resilient and lower-maintenance than many imported varieties.

Crape myrtles have been stealing the summer spotlight in North Carolina for years, and honestly, they know how to put on a show. Big blooms, bold color, and that classic neighborhood charm make them hard to miss. Still, plenty of North Carolina gardeners have started asking for more.

Happy World Naked Gardening Day!
In the foreground you'll see our native Tulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera.

It goes by a few other common names such as Yellow Poplar, Canoewood, and Tulip Tree. Canoewood is derived from being preferred by Native Americans to make canoes due to their long straight trunks, light buoyant wood, relatively rot resistant, and easy to carve out.

Native to much of the Eastern United States https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Liriodendron%20tulipifera.png, it is the only North American species in the genus, with the only other species found in Asia, Liriodendron chinense.

It belongs to the ancient Magnolia family, Magnoliaceae, which can be easily seen when comparing its large yellow flowers.

Recently this genus has been discovered to be in a category of its own. It's not a "Softwood", nor a "Hardwood", but a tentatively named "Midwood". https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/scientists-discover-entirely-new-wood-type-that-could-be-highly-efficient-at-carbon-storage

The large yellow flowers are a preferred pollen and nectar source for many birds and insects, while also being a host plant to over 20 species. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/plant_insects/plants/liriodendron_tulipifera.html This includes some of the largest, and THE largest, moth species in North America. This includes the Tulip Tree Silkmoth https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/482/bgimage , Promethea Silkmoth https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Callosamia-promethea , and the Tulip Tree Beauty https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/564

Growing best in full sun, loamy and acidic soils with various soil compositions, it will quickly grow at a rate of 3-5 feet per year. Being one of the largest trees in North America, it can easily reach 100' with some records of it getting to 200' tall and 10' diameter. So, it's best grown in areas where it has plenty of room to grow.

You can find this beautiful tree and many other North Carolina native plants at Knotty by Nature Natives in Durham NC. 5911 Mount Hermon Church Rd. Durham Open Saturdays seasonally from 9-4. https://www.knottybynaturetrees.com/category/all-products