"Design Happens"

Around this time last year, I planted several varieties of wildflowers in honor of National Wildflower Week — an annual celebration of the native flowers that pop up all over the country starting this season. My little beauties have wakened from their winter sleep and soon my plot of grass will transform into a colorful meadow. The sad news is that every state has an extensive list of endangered and severely threatened wildflower species. These once-thriving varieties are all endangered here in Tennessee:

Autumn Onion

Canadian Anemone

Yaupon Blacksenna

Appalachian Rose (left) and Spreading Sandwort (right)

National Wildflower Week was started not only to celebrate the beautiful carpet of flowers Mother Nature lays each spring, but also to spread the word about preserving endangered species.

You can make a difference with plantings in your yard. HGTV.com has the best tips for matching like-minded and complementary plant species in your garden, as well as an introduction to the native plant movement. To learn about what organizations in your area are doing for Wildflower Week, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center offers a national directory. The U.S. Forest Service is also an excellent resource.

Karli Sanders Cook is a contributor to Design Happens.