One Of World’s Most Most Fowl Smelling Flowers- The Corpse Flower- Set To Bloom At North Carolina State University

Officials at North Carolina State University are reporting that a rare corpse flower is expected to bloom this week the university. Normally you think of flowers as having a pleasant fresh scent. Not this one, it's one of the worst-smelling flowers in the world hence why it is referred to as a corpse flower. The smell can be comparable to that of rotting flesh. I won't be purchasing that in a perfume! The plant's actual species is Amorphophallus titanum. According to ABC11 in Raleigh, Plant Conservatory Curator Diane Mays says the flower is referred to on campus as Wolfgang.

Wolfgang actually doesn't reside on campus, but rather at NC State's JC Raulston Arboretum. The Arboretum is located at 4415 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC 27606 which is close to campus and right off of Hillsborough Street. Once you get there you'll find Wolfgang The Arboretum is worth a visit anytime, but especially now to see a glimpse of this rare flower. This is actually the second of these flowers NC State has had, the first was called Lupin and it bloomed in July of 2021. Officials at NC State expect Wolfgang the corpse flower to bloom July 20th or 21st but they can't be certain of that. Can't make the drive to Raleigh or want to see and not smell? You can catch a live stream video of the flower on youtube. Read more here.

New research shows an increase of 1 in 3 people now purchasing native plants and gardening for wildlife. Why are natives so important?

Native plants are the core of the wildlife habitat garden. Even small-scale native plant gardens that incorporate blooming plants for multiple seasons are proven to increase pollinator abundance and diversity. Within days or even moments after native plants are introduced to a space, wildlife can appear. Research shows wildlife habitat gardens support 50% more wildlife than surrounding conventional landscapes.

Not only do natives support more local wildlife, but they are more suited to withstand the climate in North Carolina. For example, trees native to storm-prone regions are more likely to withstand high winds. North Carolina's state bird, the cardinal -30% of its diet relies on insects these many native plants provide.

Plants such as ornamental pear, taxus, barberry, as considered exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world or were cultivated by humans into forms that don’t exist in nature do not support wildlife as well as native plants. Occasionally, they can even escape into the wild and become invasives that destroy natural habitats. Not only do they destroy and crowd out native plants, but they don’t support local wildlife.

Replacing invasives with native plants reverses the dominance of non-beneficial plants in the landscape, a key contributor to habitat loss that has hurt many wildlife species. By doing so, you’ll cut down on the amount of water, pesticides, and fertilizers you use. Native plants are low-maintenance. They help the environment the most when planted in places that match their growing requirements. They will thrive in the soils, moisture, and weather of your region. That means less supplemental watering, which can be wasteful, and pest problems that require toxic chemicals. Native plants also assist in managing rainwater runoff and maintaining healthy soil as their root systems are deep and keep soil from being compacted. They also minimize further negative impacts on wildlife and pollution of local water resources.

The following plants are native to and will thrive in North Carolina. By planting these in your garden, you will help local wildlife and enjoy the beauty of nature.

This keystone plant supports monarch butterflies and is the only plant on which they lay their eggs, Queen butterflies (Danaus gilippus), 96% of backyard birds that rely on these insects to feed their young, and Dozens of other pollinator species foraging for nectar.

Grayleaf Goldenrod supports 104 butterfly species, 42 species of pollen specialist bees, 96% of backyard birds that rely on these insects to feed their young, and dozens of other pollinator species foraging for nectar.

Beard Tongue Foxglove Keystone native plant supports 33 native pollen specialist bee species, 109 butterfly species, 96% of backyard birds that rely on these insects to feed their young, and dozens of other generalist pollinator species foraging for nectar.

Smooth Blue Aster is actually a late-season bloomer. It supports 33 native pollen specialist bee species, 109 butterfly species, 96% of backyard birds that rely on these insects to feed their young, and dozens of other generalist pollinator species foraging for nectar in fall.

Wild Bergamot, Bee Balm is used by 3 butterfly species, 96% of backyard birds rely on these insects to feed their young.

Cardinal Flower is a gorgeous one. It supports the ruby-throated hummingbirds, the only hummingbird native to the Eastern U.S., and dozens of other generalist pollinator species foraging for nectar in fall, also 1 pollen specialist bee (the sweat bee (Dufourea monardae), 3 butterfly species, 96% of backyard birds that rely on these insects to feed their young.