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- Welcome to the first issue of The Native Note.
Welcome to the first issue of The Native Note.
Observing nature. Growing Native. Living in season.
Stan Lawson
May 12, 2025
The Native Note
By Stan , the editor, fresh from the garden (probably still has dirt under his nails).Welcome to the premiere issue of The Native Note! This is your new go-to guide for native landscaping, seasonal foraging, backyard garden advice, and learning to read nature’s clues like a pro tracker. This newsletter was born from a simple desire: to help people connect with plants in a way that’s easy to understand and deeply rewarding. I want you to know the Southeast, truly know it, like few others do. I’ve spent over a decade growing in gardens and nurseries, and now I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you.
LET’S STEP INSIDE → |  Look at this beautiful foliage! |
Feature Story
Butterfly Weed
This keystone native is as beautiful as it is useful for our environment.
Asclepias tuberosa, or milkweed, has become famous for hosting butterflies. But, its also a food source for many pollinators, including bees and humming birds. This plant has incredible showy flowers that are a beautiful orange, offset by its large oblong leaves its stunning.
This full sun loving plant is drought tolerant after the first year. Plant it in well draining soil, wetter soil will kill it. It only grows up to two feet tall, because of this it looks good as a border plant. I also like to plant it with purple coneflower and little bluestem for a really beautiful native plant bed.
To propagate it you can direct seed it in the fall. I often will scarify it and cold stratify it for spring. The best way ive found to do this is with milk jugs. Simply cut them in half, put some holes in the bottom , fill with a mix of perlite and sphagnum moss. Plant your seeds then tape it up, label it and place in a north facing spot outside. Eventually you will see the little plants peeking out. But be gentle when repotting, they are very snippy about touching their roots. Sometimes dramatically dying from it.
What to watch for in your garden this month→
What to Watch For in Your Garden This Month
Coneflowers are starting to wake up. Trim dead stalks to help them thrive.
Watch for aphids clustering on milkweed. Ladybugs will usually take care of them, but a strong blast of water helps too.
If you’re foraging, pokeweed’s young shoots are up. But only eat them if you know how to prep them safely (and I mean really know).
Next week
Wild Foraging 101
Forage with Your Feet: Greenbriar, Chickweed & Wild Garlic
A Final Note
Thank you for reading
Please let me know what your thougts and questions are, as well as any plants youd like featured. Email me at [email protected]
"Grow what belongs. Water what matters. And if a plant needs a spa day to survive, maybe it’s time to let it go."
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