Nearly 1,000 native plants take root on Birmingham’s Highland Ave

Almost exactly a year ago, we wrote a story about yard signs appearing on medians along Highland Avenue, across from Rhodes Park in Birmingham, encouraging native plant plantings. 

We got a kick out of the messages: 

• Pollinator Restaurant Being Built Here SOON!
• Caterpillar Spa Coming Here SOON!

Whatever came of those funny signs? Here is the good news. 

Nearly 1,000 native plants for pollinators on Highland Avenue median

On November 7, 2026, local volunteers tilled, spread mulch and planted nearly 1,000 native plants at the median across from the Snable Law Firm and the Two Sisters homes.  

Here’s who made it happen:

• Friends of Highland Park: The local non-profit adopted the median and underwrote the costs of the dirt, mulch and plants. They will help maintain the median in the future.
• Homegrown Habitat – Birmingham Native Plant Group: This local non-profit enlisted 25+ volunteers to work on November 7.
• City of Birmingham: The city actually grew the native plants that were provided for the new native plant median.

This is the seventh median the Homegrown Habitat has converted since 2023.

Thanks to their hard work the signs have come down. We literally have a pollinator haven—or you can call it a pollinator restaurant or catepillar spa if you wish—in the heart of Highland Park.

Native plant movement in Highland Park

The latest planting is part of a movement founded in 2023 to plant native plants in the medians on Highland Avenue. Led by the Homegrown Habitat – Birmingham Area Native Plant Group, the group successfully installed hundreds of native pollinator-friendly plants beginning near Rojo and extending to the Independent Presbyterian Church. 

The project has been a success, transforming the median into a colorful array of native plants that attract bees, butterflies and all kinds of pollinators.

“We are happy that Homegrown Habitat was able to work with the City of Birmingham to grow beautiful native plants that will add more pollinators and bird food to the neighborhood, and we are grateful for Friends of Highland Park in providing the funds and preparation for this 7th native median habitat!”

Laney DeJonge, Homegrown Habitat – Birmingham Area Native Plant Group 

 

Birmingham is part of a national movement

In addition to the medians, Homegrown Habitat and its allies are encouraging all Birmingham residents to sign up with Homegrown National Park and log your journey with native plants. 

The mission of the site is to plant 20,000,000 acres with native plants in the U.S. by 2030, which would represent half of the green lawn area on U.S. private property in the country.

The impact of such an ambitious goal? Laney DeJonge described it best to Bham Now back in 2023:

“Basically, if everyone made a section in their yards to grow native plants, we could create a natural preserve that’s bigger than all national parks combined.”

Laney DeJonge,  Homegrown Habitat – Birmingham Area Native Plant Group

Want to support local local native plant efforts? Contact:

• Homegrown Habitat – Birmingham Area Native Plant Group
• Friends of Highland Park