There’s a better way to landscape your garden. That's the message Jordan "JP Charisma" Parker is preaching on YouTube and TikTok, where he's teaching his tens of thousands of followers the lost art of native plant gardening. In our conversation with JP, we learn why native species are better than imports for your local environment (and your water bill) and how they can help fragile species, like butterflies and bees, to keep doing their thing.
JP also reflects on his interesting — and sometimes difficult — social media journey, from sports car critic to #BlackButterflyMan, and what it means to be a young BIPOC gardener in a space that is often lily white.
Show notes:
Here's a great guide to native planting
Explore the Florida Native Plant Society
What is OE?
Guest bio:
Jordan "JP Charisma" Parker, aka BlackButterflyMan
JP is a social media influencer whose mission is to rehabilitate natural areas for butterflies nationwide. He also has a native plant online store at jpcharisma.com
Find him on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @jpcharisma