April 23, 2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

75º | 4% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. | Sunset 8:20 p.m.

Become an expert on native flowers

Plant some of this, and you may find yourself playing host to monarchs. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

You love local food, music, business, and art — so while you’re planning your garden this spring, why not choose local plants, too?

Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, provide sustenance to native wildlife, and save water by thriving on normal rainfall. Plus, they’re more visually diverse than, say, lawn grass.

Consider planting some Tennessee flora this spring. We’ll get you started.

Butterfly Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Water needs: Moist, dry
Light needs: Sun, shade, part-shade
Bloom time: May-September

Growing tips: Butterfly weed attracts aphids, which you can deal with by spraying with soapy water, blasting with high-pressure streams, or by leaving the aphids for ladybugs.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies (Monarch + Grey Hairstreak)

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun, part-shade
Bloom time: March-May; may bloom again in early fall and December

Growing tips: Make sure your soil is never completely dry. Use elastic stretch ties and prune Jessamine early in its blooming season to train and maintain your desired shape.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies (Spicebush Swallowtail)

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun, part-shade
Bloom time: March-June

Growing tips: Rich soil and structural assistance will help this vine climb to its full potential — up to 20 feet.

Attracts: Quail, purple finch, goldfinch, hermit thrush, and American robin

Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: April-July

Growing tips: Sow indigo in late fall or spring — but the historic South Carolina sprig is a labor of love, and won’t flower for up to three years.

Attracts: Native bumble bees

Wild Red Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Water needs: Moist, dry
Light needs: Shade, part-shade
Bloom time: February-July

Growing tips: Plant columbine in thin, well-drained soil to ensure a long lifespan. This flower struggles in heat, so plant in the shade before temperatures climb in spring.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, hawk moths, finches, and buntings

Events

Tuesday, April 23

Mountain Cove Bluegrass | Tuesday, April 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Grab a slice of pizza and a pint to enjoy unique sounds that pay respect to traditional bluegrass at this all-ages show.

Wednesday, April 24

Basic Sign Language | Wednesday, April 24 | 5-6 p.m. | Collegedale Public Library, 9318 Apison Pk., Collegedale | Free | Adults and teens will learn the basics of ASL communication like greetings, emotions, and words.
Green Drinks | Wednesday, April 24 | 5-7 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Hear from Outdoor Chattanooga at this month’s sustainability networking event.

Thursday, April 25

Performance and Talkback | Thursday, April 25 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Stove Works, 1250 E. 13th St., Chattanooga | Free | Learn about this studio’s current exhibition “Hand to Mouth” with a special performance from one of the artists + a talk with the curator.
Birds and Beer: Chimney Swift with the Ornithological Society | Thursday, April 25 | 7-9 p.m. | Urban Stack, 12 W. 13th St., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Join the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society to learn about and watch these birds return from their winter in the Amazon.

Friday, April 26

Interactive Movie Night | Friday, April 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga | $15-$20 | Watch and play along with the “Godzilla” supercut version — prop bags available for full interactive viewing experience.

Saturday, April 27

Reflection Riding — Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck | Saturday, April 27 | 6-10 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | $30-$35 | Reflection Riding’s Campfire Concert series continues with Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck on Saturday, April 27. Enjoy a night of s’mores, beer + fun while soaking up tunes under the stars.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

▼SPONSORED▼

Edu

👀 5 campus hotspots every UTC commuter needs to know

Bonus: Access to campus amenities is free with a Mocs card. | Photo provided by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Did you know? UTC commuters have full access to campus amenities — like these five nooks and recreational spaces to start using right now:

UTC Library — Enjoy Starbucks, charging stations + comfy chairs.
Aquatic and Recreation Center — Swim, workout, join a class, or indoor rock climb.
Fletcher and Lupton halls — Get prime study + collaboration spaces with smart features.
University Center — Recharge at the food court, gaming room, and wellness center.
Chamberlain Field (student fave) — Hang a hammock or spread out a blanket to study… or chill.

Feeling FOMO? Apply to UTC

News Notes

Community

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, April 27. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring unwanted or unused medications to one of the 14 area drop-off locations in Hamilton County for proper disposal.

Sports

The Chattanooga Lookouts will host the annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration on Thursday, April 25 in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. During the game, attendees will learn more about Robinson’s legacy + the resources and initiatives the organization offers. Get your tickets.

Edu

The Hamilton County Board of Education has approved a four-year contract for Superintendent Justin Robertson to serve as its director of schools. Roberston’s contract will take effect in July and end in June 2028. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Try This

Chattanooga’s Department of Community Development is partnering with Dynamo Studios to host the Go Live Summer Media Teen Camp. Teens will collaborate to create music, videos, and graphics + will be featured in a special showcase. Note: Enrollment is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Inquire via email. (WDEF)

Read

Looking for a bit of light reading during National Poetry Month? We recommend checking out these three poems written by our readers, which were submitted in our NOOGAtoday Poetry Contest. Then, vote on your favorite. We’ll announce the winner in a newsletter later this week.

Health

What started in 1986 started as an organization to support and advocate for Nooga residents impacted by HIV has grown to so much more. See how Cempa Community Care has changed over the decades — and the plethora of community healthcare services they now provide.*

The Buy

The Maizie Clarke Collection. If you’re looking for ways to prepare for the Kentucky Derby, this brand has the sweetest derby-inspired products.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Haley

From the editor

Last week, we wanted to know which Boxvana by MDLR Brands home you would want to live in. 16.3% of our readers chose the Monaco model. I personally wouldn’t mind moving into the Jupiter or Athena (if I got to keep that view).

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP