Native Plants
Native plants are the ecological foundation of healthy local ecosystems. Having evolved alongside local wildlife over thousands of years, they provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat that non-native species simply can't replicate — native bees, butterflies, and birds are often specifically adapted to depend on particular native plants for survival. Beyond supporting wildlife, native plants tend to be low-maintenance once established, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticide than ornamental exotics, making them both an environmentally and economically smart choice for gardeners and land managers. Planting natives helps combat habitat loss, supports pollinators, and restores a sense of place rooted in the natural character of a region.
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Beautifying Silvermont (and your Garden)
with Native Plants
For the project, we planted:
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Penstemon (Penstemon canescens) — Attracts hummingbirds, bumblebees, and native bees, including specialist bees that feed almost exclusively on penstemon nectar.
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Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) — Supports native bees and grassland birds; its seeds provide food for finches and sparrows in fall and winter.
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Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) — One of the most pollinator-rich native plants, supporting over 100 species of bees, butterflies (including monarchs), beetles, and wasps.
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Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana) — Attracts bumblebees and other long-tongued native bees that can access its tubular flowers, as well as hummingbirds.
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Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) — A early-spring bloomer that supports emerging butterflies, including swallowtails, as well as native bees and hummingbirds.
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Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) — A prolific bloomer that supports a wide range of pollinators including native bees, bumblebees, butterflies (especially fritillaries and skippers), and beetles. Its seed heads also provide food for goldfinches and other birds through fall and winter.
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The project was led by Brevard Sustainability Council co-chair Destini Pettit, with support from master gardener Mary Agnew, student Paige Dinsdale, and the InterACT community service club from Brevard High School. Additional help came from the NC Native Plant Society, Friends of Silvermont, and iNDe Ecosystems. Stop by and visit — and return as the seasons change!
In 2025, the Council adopted two planter boxes in front of the Silvermont Mansion. We removed many non-native species and replanted natives plants.
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Brevard NC Gardens
Gardens around Brevard showcase a wonderful variety of native plants. It's worth noting that some of these gardens also contain non-native or invasive species; while we highlight the native plantings, this isn't an endorsement of those others.
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We're always updating our map and pamphlet of local gardens you can tour, so if you know of one that's missing, let us know!
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No-Mow Lawns
Traditional turf lawns are ecological dead zones. They require enormous amounts of water, fertilizer, and pesticides to maintain, offer little to no food or shelter for birds, bees, and butterflies, and contribute to soil degradation and water pollution through chemical runoff. Native plants, by contrast, are adapted to local soil and climate conditions, so they need far less water and virtually no chemical inputs once established. They provide essential habitat and food sources for pollinators and wildlife that have co-evolved with them over thousands of years, support deeper root systems that improve soil health and reduce erosion, and help build more resilient, biodiverse landscapes in the face of a changing climate.
By replacing even a portion of a lawn with native plantings, homeowners can lower their maintenance costs and water use while directly contributing to the restoration of local ecosystems — turning a yard from a maintenance burden into a source of life.
