EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Thirteen, Number Two Spring 2004 A LOOK AHEAD TO SPRING By Marcia McRae From the Epistle, St. John's Episcopal Church, Bainbridge GA A simple way to help the environment is to plant a native tree, bush or vine. Consider these wildlife friendly natives to provide food and shelter for birds and other animals: (in the southeast) Carolina Jessamine, Savannah Holly, Eastern Red Cedar, Loblolly Pine, Sweet Azalea, Smooth Sumac, Foam Flower, Rabbiteye Blueberry. Virginia Sweetspire and Spicebush are great native substitutes for Butterfly Bush Drought tolerant natives to consider are Grancy Gray Beard, wonderfully decorative choice for sun or partial shade. In partial shade use Wax Myrtle that's good for birds. Butterfly weed is a perennial for dry sun. Perennials for dry partial shade include Virginia Creeper that wants to climb and Passion Flower Vine (Maypop) that butterflies love. Sparkleberry is a wonderful little tree for dry shade. A perennial for dry shade is Indian Pink, a wonderful native for a woody location. Substitute native alternatives to provide food for wildlife instead of common landscape plants that are invasive and disturb native habitats. Instead of Japanese or Chinese Wisteria, plant American Wisteria or Passion Flower Vine. Instead of Nandina, plant deciduous Holly or Beautyberry and instead of English Ivy, plant Laurel Leaf Smilax for climbing. Editor's note: Send in your advice for the most ecologically desirable plantings in your area. E.g., Instead of fighting to keep green grass, what would you suggest for a ground cover appropriate to your geography? Home     Table of Contents