​As an avid gardener, winter is hard. The days are short, and it’s difficult to feel motivated when everything outside is dark and gloomy. My brain can’t quite reconcile what I see through my windows on a bright, sunny day with what my body feels when I actually step out into the cold. There are so few projects to tackle in the yard this time of year, but that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about spring and planning for beautiful summer blooms. And while I might decide to put my pajamas on at 5 p.m. (no judgment, please), I can still be a productive gardener indoors by starting seeds.
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While it may seem daunting, starting seeds inside is a great way to get a jump start on spring. It’s also a way to save money by growing your own plants instead of purchasing individual seedlings in April and May, and it gives you the opportunity to try unusual varieties you won’t find at local box stores or garden centers. This indoor gardening project keeps me connected to the outdoors even when the dreariness of winter feels overwhelming.

So where do you begin? January brings a flood of seed catalogs to my mailbox. If you’re not inundated the way I am, a few quick Google searches will uncover a treasure trove of seed options. One of my favorite sources is “The Whole Seed Catalog.” This massive catalog rivals the heft of the Sears catalog from my childhood. And just like when I was a kid poring over toy pages before Christmas, I devour every page, admiring the stunning photography of rare flowers and vegetables from around the world.

The catalog is published once a year by Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company and features varieties beyond anything I could dream up: five-foot-long string beans; cabbage heads larger than your own; and flowers in every color and form imaginable. I’ve ordered from them for years with great success. Locally, you can often find the catalog at Tractor Supply, or you can order directly from their website at rareseeds.com.

I also love Johnny’s Seeds. Their expansive selection makes it easy to imagine the perfect vegetable or flower garden, and they provide some of the best seed-starting information available. Each packet includes detailed instructions that set you up for success from start to finish. You can explore their offerings at johnnyseeds.com.

There are countless other seed sources worth exploring as well. Some of my favorites include Swallowtail Garden Seeds, Floret, Botanical Interests, and Totally Tomatoes. Each offers a unique selection of hard-to-find varieties. Of course, local garden centers and box stores are great options for more common seeds too.
Once you’ve scoured catalogs and websites and ordered more seeds than you could possibly plant (don’t worry - we all do this), it’s time to get your hands dirty. What do you need? There are many ways to start seeds, but the most common - and my go-to method - is using seed-starting trays and soil. You can also try winter sowing, which involves planting seeds in milk jugs and leaving them outdoors for the winter months. I’ve had mixed results with this method, though I’ll admit any failures were likely due to my own neglect. For those who want to dive deeper, you can create your own soil blends or try soil blocking. While that might interest me more if I had a greenhouse, I stick to what’s quick, cost-effective, and manageable. Once you purchase seed trays, they can be reused year after year, leaving seeds and soil as your only ongoing expenses.

Let’s talk soil. Seed-starting soil is different from potting soil or garden soil. It’s lighter and loftier, with more peat to allow for excellent drainage and easy root growth. This is one area where you shouldn’t compromise. I don’t have a brand I’m loyal to and often grab whatever is available at Walmart. Pre-moistening your soil before filling your trays is highly recommended. This prevents newly planted seeds from “floating” when watered. Simply add soil to a watertight container - I use a shallow plastic tub - and slowly mix in water until the soil holds together slightly when squeezed. You’re aiming for moist, not muddy.

Always follow the planting instructions on seed packets. Some seeds need light to germinate, while others must be covered with soil. Some require heat, in which case a heat mat placed under the trays can be helpful. Seeds only need bottom heat during germination; once seedlings emerge, the heat mat should be turned off. A humidity dome is beneficial for nearly all seeds during germination, as it helps retain warmth and moisture. Once seedlings appear, remove the dome.

Water and light are the two most important factors for healthy seedlings. Keep soil moist but not oversaturated during germination, then reduce watering slightly as plants grow. When the first set of true leaves appears, adding a half-strength liquid fertilizer once a week will encourage strong root development. Daily monitoring is essential. Bright light is equally important. I’m fortunate to have a sunroom with excellent winter light, but I’ve also invested in grow lights as my seed-starting operation has expanded. These lights
allow me to grow seedlings in any room of the house, and built-in timers ensure consistent light each day.
Once seedlings are established, placing an oscillating fan nearby can be very beneficial. The gentle movement mimics wind, encouraging plants to develop strong stems. Continuous air circulation also helps prevent fungal growth on soil surfaces that remain damp for extended periods.

While all of these steps may sound overwhelming, there’s nothing quite like seeing the first hint of green push through the soil - and watching each day as you nurture new life that will eventually find its place in your garden come spring.

by Julie Novak

As the days grow shorter and cooler, our gardens begin to drift toward hibernation - much like many animals do. While growth above ground slows and plants die back, there is still plenty of activity happening beneath the soil as roots continue to strengthen. Autumn may appear to be a quiet season in the garden, but it’s actually one of the best times to tackle projects before winter sets in.

Planting Season
Fall is the ideal time for planting. Our region’s consistent moisture and moderate temperatures create perfect conditions for establishing new additions to your garden. Trees and shrubs, in particular, focus their energy on developing strong root systems this time of year rather than on leaves and blooms. Perennials benefit as well, even if the results won’t be immediately visible. Remember to water new plantings if rainfall is scarce - about once a week without rain, even when it’s cool.

Bulbs for Spring
Autumn is also bulb-planting season, an affordable way to make a big impact come spring. Bulbs can be found at garden centers, box stores, and even grocery stores. For a wider selection, websites such as Eden Brothers and ColorBlends offer excellent quality.

Bulbs are particularly useful in spots where other plants struggle, such as beneath trees. With the leaves off, these areas often receive just enough sun for early bloomers like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus. If deer are a problem, daffodils are a reliable choice. Popular varieties for naturalizing include the cheerful, multi-stemmed Tête-à-Tête (early spring), the classic Mount Hood and Dutch Master (mid-spring), the fragrant white Thalia (late spring), and the sturdy, late-blooming Actaea. Be sure to plant them in areas where you don’t mind the foliage lingering into early summer; daffodils need several weeks of green leaves after flowering to store energy for the next year’s blooms.

Fall Cleanup
Many perennials can be left standing through winter, providing food and habitat for birds and wildlife. However, some plants are best cleaned up in the fall. Once leaves yellow and flop, daylilies, iris, and hosta should be cut back to prevent pests and disease. Plants showing signs of powdery mildew or other issues should also be trimmed and their foliage removed. Additionally, cut back any aggressive plants that have gone to seed if you don’t want them spreading.

Leave the Leaves - With Care
The “Leave the Leaves” movement is gaining popularity, and with good reason. Decomposing leaves enrich the soil, suppress weeds, and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife - all while reducing yard waste. However, avoid letting thick layers accumulate, as they can encourage mold, fungi, and pests like slugs, snails, and ticks. Rake leaves away from delicate shrubs, and always remove leaves from diseased plants.

Tool Maintenance
Fall is also the perfect time to service your garden tools before putting them away for the winter. Clean and sharpen pruners, loppers, and other hand tools so they’re ready for pruning in late winter and spring.

A Season of Preparation
Cooler temperatures make fall a joy to spend outdoors. A little time invested in your garden now will pay off with healthier plants and vibrant blooms when spring arrives.
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by Julie Novak

I’m hoping I don’t need to introduce Dr. Doug Tallamy to you. The renowned entomologist, ecologist and speaker is the go-to guy on the importance of native plants in sustaining wildlife. And, I’m hoping I don’t need to explain the fact that 75% of our crops rely on pollinators. Three-quarters of our food! That is a worldwide statistic.

The majority of these crucial pollinators are creatures we actually try to extinguish: bees, wasps, beetles, flies, ants, bats and butterflies … well, maybe not butterflies but definitely there are products on the market that promise to get rid of all the others.

Over the past three decades, our insect populations have decreased. And this will lead to dire consequences to life as we know it.

But all is not lost. Dr. Doug Tallamy has big ideas and easy ways for us all to join together and make a difference.

The author of “The Living Landscape,” “The Nature of Oaks,” “Bringing Nature Home,” and “Nature’s Best Hope,” he recently released “How Can I Help?” In this book about saving nature with your very own yard, he addresses topics that include everything from ecology, evolution, biodiversity and conservation to restoration, native plants, invasive species, pest control, and supporting wildlife at home. The professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, this man is dead set on teaching us all how we can save our planet, our fragile island home.

Yes, he is an acclaimed scientist and is familiar with precise scientific terms that are for the most part unpronouncable. Does he throw these terms around? Nope.

I’ve never met this man, a true rock star in my opinion, but I’ve watched a few of his interviews and presentations online. He is the kind of guy you’d like to have a beer with and chat longer with.

According to Amazon, “Douglas W. Tallamy’s first book, “Bringing Nature Home,” awakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing. His solution? Plant more natives.”

And he gently outlines and simplifies a way for all of us to turn our yards into “conservation corridors” that provide wildlife habitats. In fact, you don’t even have to have a yard to make a difference. Just swap out that geranium that never looks that good anyway with a gorgeous native plant that will provide sustenance for wildlife.

Because this approach relies on something so simple, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy; you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard.

Remember I mentioned I’d never met this hero of a man? Well, he’s coming to Chattanooga, thanks to the Tennessee valley Chapter of the Wild Ones! Dr. Tallamy will speak on Friday, October 3, at UTC’s Wolford Family Athletic Center at 720 E. 4th Street. He will begin at 7 p.m. and although this event is free and open to the public, you need to register. Go to https://tnvalley.wildones.org/distinguished-lecture-series-doug-tallamy/ for more information.
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by Ferris Robinson

On a bright sunny Thursday afternoon in late February of this year I met my neighbor Bruce Dralle at the Lookout Mountain town park off North Bragg.  We had three bluebird nestboxes to place in this beautiful natural area.  What I did not anticipate was that we were being observed by many bluebirds.  It was time to get these houses out and ready for habitation.

Our team of monitors, including Bruce, John Simmons and myself, will visit eight houses on Lookout Mountain weekly during nesting season - March through August.  Our trail is one of 24 throughout Hamilton and surrounding counties and is supported by the Chattanooga Bluebird Society. Our eight birdhouses are on public access property near the pickleball courts at the Commons and the park off North Bragg and Sunset.
While we set out the new nestboxes, Bruce pointed out numerous pairs of bluebirds around us. I believe that he was alerted to them by their sounds and overhead flights. I, on the other hand, observed nothing until he pointed them out.

I have had bluebird houses in my yard for many years but did not appreciate that bluebirds have up to three clutches of chicks throughout the season. As we monitor the nestboxes over the coming months, our task will be to determine if we have active nests and the type of bird in our houses. We might see tree swallows, house wrens, chickadees, or house sparrows.  House sparrows are non-native birds that can kill adult bluebirds, so we try to discourage them by removing all nesting material as soon as their nest-building in our boxes begins. Even if we do not see the birds in the nestboxes, we may determine by the nest material or the eggs what type of bird is the occupant. If we have birds other than bluebirds, we leave the nest alone since federal law provides them protections. It should be noted that bluebirds are very tolerant of humans, and our presence will not cause them to abandon the houses.

If we find a bluebird nest in a box, we record the date and number of eggs (one a day), which may be from four to six eggs. The incubation period is from 12 to 14 days. After hatching, the birds will remain in the next 17 to 21 days until the young are fully feathered. Our task is to determine if all the eggs hatch and they are healthy.

Unfortunately, there are predators that target either the eggs or young chicks, so our nestboxes are designed to discourage access by visitors that target them. Each nestbox is mounted on a 5-foot metal pole: electrical conduit and a metal six-inch stovepipe with a lid to keep climbing creatures from the nest.
Our weekly monitoring visits to the nest boxes are done on calm, mild, and dry days. We will take a quick peek inside using a door on the side of the house. Our monitoring efforts are invaluable to efforts to increase bluebirds in our area as well as to determine if the nestbox should be relocated.

After a successful fledging of the young birds, we remove the old nest from the box. Renesting in a box will be encouraged by removing the old nest. Females will build a new nest for their next brood.

The Chattanooga Bluebird Society is a chapter of the Tennessee Bluebird Society and an all-volunteer 501©3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2021, the group builds bluebird houses to place in parks, schools and sells to the public. Teams monitor activity of the houses and report the data to the Tennessee Bluebird Society as well as the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.
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by John Pine

Did you know the lawns across the United States amount to an astonishing 40 million acres? That’s roughly the size of Colorado! Historically, green lawns are a status symbol deeply rooted in our minds, but this monoculture is laced with devastating ecological consequences. According to the National Wildlife Federation, these lawns “consume around 9 billion gallons of water daily, introduce a myriad of toxins into our ecosystems, and offer scant refuge for the local wildlife that once thrived in these spaces.”

Where did lawns come from? They first emerged in 17th century England at the homes of wealthy landowners. Sheep grazed on many lawns to keep it short and visually pleasing, but landowners increasingly depended on human labor to tend these home lawns. Only the well-to-do could afford to hire the staff needed to scythe and weed the grass, thus a green lawn, also called a park, was a mark of wealth and status.

Lawn bowling, which was once popular in both England and Scotland, received a blow in England when various kings prohibited commoners from playing it. Scottish immigrants brought lawn bowling and golf to North America, both requiring the lawns on which they were played.

In the mid 19th century, as industrialization occurred and cities grew, city beautification campaigns became common and the park was born. This term was originally used to describe the lawn and trees around wealthy English homes, but in America, parks took on the characteristics of British estates with landscaped lawns, trees, shrubbery and water features like fountains and ponds.

Eventually lawns migrated from parks into residential yards. A key figure in this movement was Frederick Law Olmsted, known as the American father of landscape architecture, who planned New York City’s Central Park in the 1850s. Olmsted utilized meadows in public parks and designed residential neighborhoods in which each home sported a lawn.

The first lawnmower arrived in 1830, and by the 1890s they were a fixture on the landscape allowing most everyone to have a lawn - no servants, goats or sheep required.

Flash forward to today and we realize that lawns are a barren monoculture that provide nothing for ecosystems and contribute more carbon emissions than they absorb. It’s time to rewild your yard!

One5c (one5c.com) has developed a step-by-step guide to rewilding your turf. Between now and May, Lawns Gone Wild will teach you how to murder your grass and grow natural habitats in your yard.

Why do we need to rewild our yards? In short, to provide vital lifelines for native wildlife. Why is this important? Before humans altered landscapes, native plants evolved to be in sync with the local environment, which provides food and shelter to native wildlife and in turn provides ecosystem services to us, the biggest of which is pollination. Without pollination, humans cease to exist. A native bee covered in pollen equals life! 

One5c states, “90% of insects can only reproduce when they feed on plants that they share an evolutionary history with. More native plants also attract more insects, meaning dinner is served for even more animals and birds, sending positive ripples through the food chain. Many of these species also double as pollinators, which means that rewilding a little patch on your turf can go a long way.”

A paper published in Conservation Biology, authored by three researchers including Doug Tallamy, states, “given that 96% of all terrestrial birds in North America rear their young in part or entirely on insects (Dickinson 1999), large-scale reductions in available insect biomass may have serious conservation implications that could be mitigated with changes in landscape practices.” 

Chickadee nestlings may consume 6,000-9,000 caterpillars before they fledge, all foraged within a 150-foot radius of the nest. A lawn will do nothing to support these youngsters, but native plants will!

Changing up a single-crop yard of grass with a mix of native plants also boosts soil resilience. One5c explains, “different plant species have varied root lengths, and longer ones slow water movement underground and lock in soil moisture much better than turf grass would. That extra water makes the soil more resistant to fires and droughts, both of which are becoming more common. Plus, a reduced need for irrigation means you can ditch those sprinklers to cut back on unnecessary water use. Swapping a manicured lawn for wilder plants also reduces the heat island effect. Traditional lawns can be up to 25.2 degrees F hotter than green spaces with more complex vegetation.”

Hopefully, you’ve bought in and are ready to make the change to a native landscape! There are some things you need to do to foster success. You can’t just stop mowing and throw some seeds out. The process is not hard, but you just need to follow it.

• Step 1 - Hoard cardboard for sheet mulching. 
• Step 2 - Pick out a spot (start small) and place cardboard on the ground to suppress grass and weeds from germinating.
• Step 3 - Source and buy native seeds or plants (Reflection Riding, of course! And don’t forget local library seed exchanges).
• Step 4 - Remove the cardboard and plant your seeds and plants.
• Step 5 - Maintain your new native habitat.

Next season, rewild another area of the yard!

For complete info and details, I encourage you to check out One5c.com and search how to rewild your yard.
Remember, if you plant seeds, it may take several seasons for pollinators and other wildlife to show up, whereas plugs or plants give you a larger head start in calling in the native fauna.

Do your part to restore the natural landscape in your own yard. You will create a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem and hopefully, your neighbors will join in! This world needs more wild spaces and it’s our duty to make it happen.
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by Tish Gailmard

The Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club inspired students at Fairyland Elementary School and Lookout Mountain School to explore the life cycle and migration of the monarch butterfly through a “Monarchs Over the Mountains” poster contest in September. Each fall, monarchs migrate over the mountain seeking nectar on their journey to hibernation sites in central Mexico. Students learned about native flowers and host plants essential for the butterflies’ 1,700-mile journey to the oyamel fir forest near Zitacuaro, Mexico. The contest fostered student curiosity, research and artistic expression, teaching students how to protect these delicate creatures and their habitat.

Fairyland Elementary School teacher Delin Brown, along with Taryn Yorba, STEM teacher, and art teacher Leila Vaughn, guided students through the learning process. The winners from each grade are Lillian Otto, kindergarten, Vivian Jones, first grade, Makenna Kellum, second grade Jayden Marshall and Boyd Smith, third grade, Hazel Baldschun, fourth grade, and Ava Gardner, fifth grade.

Lookout Mountain School art teacher Ryan Patterson chose these fourth grade students as winners: Eleanor Gerwin, Zoe Shepard and Lily Gray Frick. These students each received a certificate and a blue ribbon to acknowledge their achievement. Congratulations to all of these very talented students.

by Ann Brown

I never really knew there was an official butterfly count in North America each year. I probably should have because I am very aware that the birds and pollinators are in a serious decline; I just never considered how this fact was established. The purpose of the North American Butterfly Association’s counts are to determine how many species and individual butterflies can be observed within a 15-mile diameter circle, during a 24-hour period, within the same date-span year after year. Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses, which is why tracking numbers as part of the Big Butterfly Count will help scientists understand wider changes in the environment and take action for protecting butterflies and other wildlife. These tiny fluttering creatures are giving us a heads up on what’s going on with our planet.

I am very interested in butterflies and want to learn more about them, but to say I am a novice is an understatement. I can barely identify a single one. Regardless, when Karen Persinger of Rising Fawn Gardens asked if I wanted to participate in the count along with photographer/naturalist Mike O’Brien, I immediately jumped at the chance. Turns out, there are about 450 of these official butterfly counts all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. Groups of people volunteer to spend a couple of hours in a certain area and wander around counting these tiny creatures.

The day for our count was lovely. Despite it falling on the last week of traditionally sweltering August, this particular day was sunny and mild, with blue skies and a gentle breeze. Armed with binoculars that didn’t particularly focus and my cell phone for taking pictures, I listened to Mike’s instructions on how to approach a butterfly: Do not rush toward it or make a scene; point at the little creature and direct folks who can identify it toward it; be aware of the sun and don’t let your shadow fall over the butterfly because that will scare it off.

Turns out I didn’t need to know much of anything to participate. I never used my binoculars, and I had to look at the cheat sheet repeatedly to identify the pipe vine swallowtails that love the gardens. If I saw a tiny fluttering insect, all I had to do was shout out for Mike to come identify it and he did! He took amazing photographs and then taught us what they were.

So, my morning was spent outdoors on a rare pleasant day in the dregs of August, wandering around masses of jewel-toned zinnias and coneflower and exotic-looking but native passion vine as I learned the names of exquisite butterflies. I returned home richer with this knowledge.

Mike O'Brien regularly photographs all manner of insects and native plants and shares his work with interested folks. This is time consuming work, and he is committed to it.

“The protection of Mother Nature’s flora and fauna, as well as the preservation of her wild habitats, is of paramount importance to me and has been for decades. I believe it is important for our survival as a species. We should engender in the younger population a love for all of nature, a firm desire to learn more about it and to protect it, and continue the good habitat preservation work that is being done. There is nothing more astounding than nature to me,” Mike explained. “One of my favorite quotes is from the great American poet, Mary Oliver, whose inspiration for her writings was nature. This says it all for me. 

Her wonderful quote:
 ‘Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention. Be astonished.
Tell about it.’”
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by Ferris Robinson

This time of year yards are filled with the sounds of an awakening spring season. Birds are chirping, insects are buzzing and critters start making their presence known.  Varying shades of green and brightly colored vegetation are arriving on the scene. It’s a festival for the senses, but make no mistake, all this activity isn’t just for entertainment value. There is some serious stuff taking place amidst all the “buzz.”

Millions of species inhabit Earth, and because all these different species often live in the same spaces, they must share or compete for the same resources. In the world of flowers, a vital resource is the insect pollinator. With an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 flowering species, the competition to attract an insect pollinator is fierce. Similar to how some humans will go to great lengths to get the attention of the opposite sex, so do flowers when it comes to courting the insects necessary to keep the flower family going. Generally speaking, flowers employ the characteristics of showy petals and sepals, offers of food in the form of nectar or pollen, nectar guides, appealing scents and the gamut of colors to attract insect pollinators. Evolution, however, has changed the game for some flower species, creating floral outliers that do things just a bit differently. When it comes to “luring” the popular pollinators, these floral outliers do so by means of deception. Seeing as flowers can’t don a wig, put on stylish clothes or get plastic surgery, how then do these sneaky species deceive?

Before heading down that road, let’s back up for a moment and have a refresher course in flower biology and anatomy.(No eye-rolls, please.) In plant taxonomy, flowering plants are known as angiosperms or magnoliophyta. They are vascular seed plants in which the ovule (egg) is fertilized and develops into a seed in a hollow ovary usually enclosed in a flower whose function is to ensure fertilization of the ovule.  A flower may contain both male and female reproductive orgas, or it may have only one or the other. The male reproductive organs are called stamens, which are a stalk or filament that supports the pollen-producing anther. The female reproductive organs, which are collectively called the pistil, consist of the ovary, where ovules are produced, and the style with its sticky surface on top called the stigma.

In angiosperms, pollination is defined as the placement or transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or another flower. Pollination takes two forms: self-pollination and cross-pollination. If a flower has both male and female reproductive organs, it is referred to as bi-sexual, and it self-pollinates by a mechanism in which the anther opens up and the pollen lands on the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. This method of pollination does not require an investment from the plant to provide nectar and/or pollen as food to attract pollinators. For flowers containing only one set of reproductive organs, a pollinator (wind, water, animals, birds, or insects) is required to transfer pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on a different plant of the same species, a method known as cross-pollination.

Living species are designed to ensure the survival of their progeny, and those that fail become extinct. Genetic diversity is essential to a species in a changing environment or under stressful conditions. Progeny as a result of self-pollination have less genetic diversity since the same genetic material is being used time and time again. Cross-pollination has the opposite effect. It leads to greater genetic diversity because the offspring are created from genetic material of different plants within the same species. Clearly, cross-pollinators stand a better chance of being around for the long haul. A savvy cross-pollinating flower knows it has to have “the right stuff” in order to get the pollinators to come hang out with it long enough to get all covered in its pollen before flying off to hopefully another flower of its kind for a pollen transfer.

As mentioned earlier, flowers have some standard characteristics used for attracting insect pollinators, but what if those fail? Maybe a flower’s petals aren’t showy enough to get an insect’s attention or perhaps an insect doesn’t have a palate for pollen or nectar? Oh, no, what’s a flower to do?

With the help of evolution, some flower species upped the ante with shenanigans when it comes to attracting those discriminating insect pollinators.  Some flowers, unabashed in their deviousness, mimic the smell of the food, such as coconut, or even rotting meat, that certain picky eater insects want. And, if tricking by way of food to get attention doesn’t work, the promise of sex probably will. Some flower species have evolved to resemble female versions of certain insects, a strategy known as insect mimicry. Perhaps the cleverest and most effective deception technique of all for these sneaky Pete flowers is to look the part of a desired insect mate. Orchids are the most notorious species for this type of pseudo-sex promise, a strategy that allows the species to spread its genes widely and works nearly perfectly for them. Case in point, the Australian hammer orchid has taken advantage of  the thynnid wasp’s mating ritual which consists of a female wasp waiting on top of a branch or plant for a male to spot her.  The hammer orchid’s flower mimics a female thynnid wasp, complete with a fake shiny head and furry body, as though sitting on a branch, looking upward waiting to be spotted by a male. But wait, the deception continues. It’s not enough to just look like a female wasp, the orchid even releases an enticing scent similar to the female wasp pheromone. Poor fellow, he doesn’t stand a chance. When the male wasp tries to mate with the dummy female, he fails, but the orchid succeeds in a big way by getting its pollen on the wasp. He flies away only to be duped again by another hammer orchid pulling the same trick. In this process, the wasp transfers pollen from flower to flower.

But, to  give the male wasp  some credit, when a real thynnid female wasp is next to the orchid mimic, the male wasp spots the real deal immediately. Because the impostor can’t ultimately win against the true female wasp, it is here where natural selection has favored the flowers that bloom during the period when male thynnid wasps are flying, but the females have yet to emerge.

Although not as consistent across all flowers in the species, the South African daisy also employs pseudo-sex trickery, but the insect it chooses to mimic is the fly. Petal colors in this species range from pale yellow to bright red-orange, and some petals have spots that form a circle around the flower’s center. There is great variety in the appearance of these flowers. In some, the spots on the petals have transformed into green-black bumps that to a fly look exactly like its female mate awaiting seductively upon the petals. Male flies don’t stay long on flowers with simple spots, but the insect Don Juans are most definitely convinced by these fake flies, ultimately spending more time trying to mate, and in the process getting more and more covered in pollen to either transfer to another flower or rubbing off more and more pollen onto the flower, helping to pollinate it.

Talk about masters of disguise, these floral outliers of fake foodies and fake mates have indeed gone to the top spot when it comes to getting what they want! Hopefully this article offered a different kind of perspective when it comes to flowers and their relationship with insect pollinators. With that next walk in nature, take not only a moment to smell the roses, but also notice the “attraction” characteristics across the varieties of flowers and see if any flowers are “buzzing” with insect pollinator activity.

by JD Harper
JD Harper is a local author. GLINT, her debut novel, is set in Chattanooga amid its rich Civil War history and rock climbing culture. You can email her at [email protected]. ​

We moved to Signal Mountain in wintertime, leaving a garden I’d lovingly cultivated for 14 years back in Mississippi. It was a bleak time to arrive, botanically speaking, and moving to a newly built home meant there would be no perennials to brighten the landscape in the spring. By the time we had settled in, however, I was greeted by a soul-soothing surprise: Tennessee had different wildflowers! Not just different, but seemingly more and a greater variety too.
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Cheerful ox-eye daisies lined both sides of Taft Highway starting in late spring. The unfortunately-named daisy fleabane popped up on roadsides and in our backyard soon after. This is the tiny “daisy-like” flower with fringed petals, in shades of white and the palest lavender. It is often called a weed, but it serves as a valuable resource for pollinators when most plants are still waking up from winter.

As summer rolled around, I was awed by the profusion of butterfly weed on the side of the road. One of many milkweeds native to Tennessee, this variety is brilliant orange with large clusters of tiny flowers. The same habitat supports the golden-yellow coreopsis and the first state wildflower, the passionflower. (The Tennessee echinacea, a type of coneflower, is the second state wildflower.)

Passionflowers are otherworldly in their complexity, yet easy to miss because their vines often sprawl across the ground. Another summer wildflower that is easy to miss is the fire pink, which is actually red. This magical little flower is often found on the border of woodlands.

The forests around Chattanooga boast unique flowers as well, many in bush form. Mountain laurels, rhododendrons, and sweet shrubs bloom into early summer. A little later, you can’t miss the smooth hydrangeas on the blue loop at Shackleford Ridge Park. The cream-colored blooms have a more delicate appearance than the “mophead” hydrangeas many of us have in our yards.

A very unusual shrub that I first saw at Big Soddy Gulf is the strawberry bush. Unfortunately, it doesn’t produce anything a human would want to eat, but it’s still fun to behold when the claw-like pods open in early fall, revealing bright red seeds.

Very tall wildflowers deserve a category of their own. Seemingly oblivious to the broken thermostat of peak summer, joe pye weed and ironweed shoot up through the crispy grass. Joe pye weed can grow 6-8 feet tall and has light pink flowers. (There is a slightly shorter version for home gardeners on the market.) Ironweed has deep purple flowers.

Both are often seen near goldenrod in bloom. If the mere mention of goldenrod makes you sneeze, take heart that it is probably not the cause of your pain. Usually, ragweed is the real culprit when goldenrod is blamed.

Goldenrod is a pollinator powerhouse; I saw an uncountable number of bees enjoying goldenrod along the Guild Trail on Lookout Mountain last fall. Next time it pops up in your flowerbed, consider keeping it around!
Jewelweed and cardinal flower (or lobelia) are two other late summer flowers for your checklist. Jewelweed is orange with red spots, and what looks like a tiny orange gnome’s hat on the back of the bloom. Cardinal flower is red and dramatic, with fringe-like petals on a spire.

These wildflowers are a small sample of the natural bounty of our state. If you would like to see many in one place, McCoy Farms has a beautiful garden including many native species. You can also consider adding wildflowers to your own yard. Reflection Riding has a dedicated native plants nursery, and Signal Mountain Nursery sells a large selection of native plants as well.

Wherever you find wildflowers this summer, may they bring you the same happiness they brought me our first year in Tennessee.

by Ginger Gibson