In the garden, they can be natural, textural and graceful — truly adding a “new” look to containers, gardens and landscapes. Many plant growers would like to enter the market but are often unfamiliar with the plant material and have limited access to information.
Enter Terry Schultz, consultant, wildlife ecologist, and native plant grower. From the time she was a teenager, Schultz enjoyed wildlife ecology.
“To manage wildlife, you have to learn about habitats and plant life,” she says.
Schultz spends lots of time in the field.
“I traverse thousands of acres searching for endangered species of plants and animals,” she says. “I have always had a green thumb.”
Soon after she received a degree in wildlife ecology, Schultz began a consultation business.
“It was while I was consulting that I discovered the lack of native plant material, she says. “And that’s when I decided to become a grower. It fits perfectly because of my years of experience. I knew where the material fit into the plant community. That’s why it’s successful.”
Given the right conditions, most native grasses require little water or fertilizer.
“They also resist or tolerate insects and disease,” says Schultz. “But it’s their beauty that really gets my attention.”
Schultz says that some growers don’t know the plants as she does. When asked what makes a plant native, she says, “it’s a natural occurrence within the plant community. As a native plant grower in the Sandhills, I observe a lot of overlap within states and regions. Throughout the southeast, the piedmont and the coastal plains, some plants thrive on the edge of its range. A plant might not do well in specific climates. For example, orchids won’t exist in snow.”
Schultz says that native plants naturally occur within the community adjacent to the site.
Chasmanthium laxum, Andropogon, Erogrostis, and the New Jersey Tea shrub (Ceanothus Americanus) are native to this part of the landscape.
“The New Jersey Tea shrub is interesting,” says Schultz. “This plant is important to the larvae of the butterfly, ‘St. Francis Satyr,’ a rare species.”
Schultz also notes that various types of Viburnum are also essential to wildlife.
“There are so many plants that contribute to wildlife,” she says. “It’s a cycle of sorts.”
Schultz lives on a 66-acre farm. She collects seed every spring and fall.
“I collect the majority in the fall,” she says. “Of course, we get permission to find seed on other properties. My family lives on the fall line of the Piedmont and the Sandhills, so we have the best of two arenas.”
Her thoroughness in combining wildlife and plants encourages life from both aspects.
“There are several plants that are necessary for pollinators,” says Schultz. She recommends Bidens and Goldenrod (Solidago), native to our area.
“Asters attract butterflies, birds and especially gold finch. And, of course, the cardinal flower (Lobelia) is wonderful for birds and butterflies,” she says.
Schultz notes that there are thousands of tiny seeds inside each flower.
“It’s nice to have a diversity of species, not just the plants,” she says. “But colors are also very beautiful. Did you ever notice the reds of the maples, or the oranges of oaks? Sometimes it’s also about texture and color change — like when plants turn from red to gold.”
The key appears to be location.
“Since the Sandhills is historically considered a ‘Savannah’ or grassland, that’s why we have an incredible diversity of grasses from long ago,” Schultz says. “There are some of the richest and undisturbed natural plant communities still intact in the Sandhills and nearby areas.”
Schultz’s husband is a wildlife biologist and her eight-year-old daughter is learning to grow plants.
“Just like most children, she loves plant life,” says Schultz. “She collects seeds with me, and comes to some of the restoration places. Her best times are when the seeds she has planted grow and flower. It’s a family thing. It’s our lifestyle. It’s who we are.”
Restoration is part of Schultz’s work.
“I help clients restore areas by selecting plants for their natural plant community,” she says. “I also consider mass plantings, but the key is the wildlife. We use plant structure for wildlife, not just for sticking plants out there.”
Some of the best native grasses are Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis) and Purple love grass, (Eragrostis spectabilis). Switch grass (Panicum virgatum), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), Calamagrostis, and Muhlenbergia are major players in the arena of valuable grasses.
“A stand of Muhlys, as they are sometimes called, (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is beautiful,” she says. “The inflorescent purple of the flower heads just wave with the wind. More and more gardeners are beginning to realize the beauty of these grasses.”
Schultz is also involved with wetland plants.
“The carnivorous ones are so interesting,” she says. “The pitcher plant is an interesting carnivore. And the Venus flytrap is native to us. It occurs here naturally.
“We have many interesting and colorful natives in this region. And my goal and purpose is to introduce plants that will be used and to make people aware of them.”
Although some grasses have a reputation for being difficult and slow to grow, Schultz maintains, “if you understand the cycle between plant and wildlife, it becomes a fantastic place for discovery.”
Gardening Tips
Plant bulbs at a depth equal to three times the height of the bulb.
Divide and replant crowded dahlias.
Fertilize new and established beds with a slow release nitrogen fertilizer.
Now is a good time to plant spring bloomers.
Clean the garden, chop the plants and compost them.
Plan for spring.
Encourage houseplant growth by giving plenty of light, i.e. African violets.
Clivia must be exposed to a winter rest period.
Watch out for whiteflies on poinsettias. Clip off and discard any infected leaves.
Install sod before ground freezes. Water as roots begin to penetrate the soil.
Plant roses, but do not fertilize. Watch for spider mites. Clean rose beds. 
