By Pat Holder reporting for Native Plant News Summer 2025
Photos by Virginia Clay
The NC Native Plant Society’s newest certified native plant habitat is a 55-acre property, Red Bud Conservation, about 25 miles northeast of Durham. Virginia Clay, the project coordinator for Red Bud Conservation, submitted the application in the Business Category. Approximately 90% of the land is devoted to North Carolina native plants.
The property has an interesting microclimate as it is bordered by two large hills to the east, a ravine to the north, and another ridgeline across the large Knap of Reeds Creek to the west. Seasonal changes run about three weeks behind Wake County.
Virginia has spent nearly ten years trying to protect the native habitat by removing invasives that include Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) and Asiatic Hawksbeard (Youngia japonica).
Virginia reestablished a USDA farm tract number for the property, which was once a part of a large farm prior to World War II. There are a few apple trees and she pots tree seedlings that sprout on the property. She is creating some pathways that may be used for serenity walks and enjoying and viewing the native plant conservation efforts. Visitors to this garden may contact Virginia at Virginia.Clay@LCGProject.com for directions and times.
Located in western Granville County, Red Bud Conservation contains a wide variety of North Carolina native plants that provide abundant resources for local wildlife of butterflies, insects, birds, and mammals throughout the three main growing seasons. Tree species include Black Walnut, Eastern Redbud, Eastern Red Cedar, Red Maple, Downy Serviceberry, and Shortleaf Pine, Sweet Gum, and Tulip-tree. Shrubs include St. Andrew’s Cross, and Common Blackberry.
There is a wide variety of herbaceous plants in Red Bud Conservation. Spring-blooming perennials include Jack-in-the-pulpit, Dwarf Crested Iris, Green-and-gold, and Hooked Buttercup. The summer-blooming plants include Downy Rattlesnake plantain, Indian Pipes, Wintergreen, Common Fleabane, and Pokeweed.
In addition to abundant trees, shrubs, and perennials, this natural and cultivated garden includes Southern Lady Fern, Rattlesnake Fern, and Ebony Spleenwort. Virginia also identified numerous native grasses and sedges, vines, mosses, and lichens. In short, this large, wooded garden contains a wide diversity of valuable native plants.
The Red Bud Conservation is part of the North Carolina Agritourism Networking Association with more than 200 members.
Pat Holder is the coordinator of the North Carolina Native Plant Society’s Native Plant Habitat Certification Program. She is passionate about native plants and their critical connection to the animal life in their surrounding ecosystem. Pat loves working with applicants for certification. She is inspired by their hard work and compelling stories.