The false–dandelion forms fields aglow in buttery yellow. When my exercise coach and I walk each day, we are after adventure in the out of doors. She has her nose to the ground scenting invisible clues on the trail while my eyes search for visual treasures. Our trail leads into a subdivision that was forest five years ago. The disturbed landscape is trying to recover from construction, which destroyed many plant communities, especially wildflowers.

New subdivision residents toiled to erect fences, roll out sod, replant trees and shrubs, and carve out curving flower beds in a sandhill habitat. The previous natural area never knew power mowers, weed eaters, chemical fertilizer or Round–up, but now the landscape has the sameness of every other subdivision.

On recent walks I discovered that native wildflowers are reappearing. In unsuspecting places like around mailboxes, at curbs, between cracks in the pavement, under token trees spared by the developer, along fences, in lawns where mowers miss, within flower beds, and around the stormwater retention pond. There is a silent wildflower revival taking place.

The butterfly pea is a twining beauty extending only four feet. The covert band of summer wildflowers include the white–throated dayflower, sensitive brier, tickseed, false–dandelion, daisy fleabane, wild lettuce, southern ragwort, passion– flower, moss verbena, prickly–pear cactus, purple thistle, butterfly pea, and wood sorrel.

If homeowners listen to the land and its natural vegetation, they would hear the following messages: • Native wildflowers are generally pest and disease free so biocides are not needed, a plus for the budget and a boon for environmental health. • Native wildflowers have evolved to adapt to less than perfect soil, water, and climate conditions, hence they don’t require chemical fertilizer or an irrigation system. Normal rainfall is sufficient. • Native wildflowers bring pollinators and other wildlife to the garden for food and shelter, thereby enhancing the biodiversity of an area. • Native wildflowers are carefree, low–cost, and low maintenance in addition to being beautiful.

Wild tickseed is related to cultivated coreopsis. If wildflowers are destined to make a comeback in your yard, there are several resources available to get the process started. The SC Native Plant Society includes a habitat map worksheet on its website to assist homeowners. Visit www.scnps.org/

The National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program encourages homeowners to plant natives. Visit at www.nwf.org/

I’l l continue to walk

Stopping to smell the flowers among the band of summer

wildflowers and watch their

numbers multiply to resurface

the land with their natural

bea uty.
Thistle flowers bring butterflies, and seedheads attract songbirds like goldfinch.
Daisy fleabane is one of the most common wildflowers across the US.
Perennial ragwort makes an excellent ingredient for homeowners considering a meadow in lieu of a lawn.