Native Plants
Multiple Duty Native Plants: The EcoBeneficial Gardener’s Secret Weapon
It’s that time of year when we start to think about spring planting. How do you choose the best plants to improve the ecosystem in your own yard? Choosing native plants which are “environmental workhorses” will not only help improve your ecosystem, but will also reward you with more birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and other critters in your yard. When…
Read MoreHigh-Value Pollen Sources for Honey Bees: Get Planting!
For honey bees, pollen is essential for brood-rearing, and they need a lot of it: an average colony collects 50 to 125 pounds per year. Pollen is honey bees’ main source of protein, lipids, vitamins and minerals. They need pollen with 20% protein; 10 of the amino acids in pollen protein are essential to honey bee development. Not all plants…
Read MoreCritical Early Trees and Shrubs for Bees
In very the early spring, trees and shrubs with early blooms are critical for honey bees and our native bees. Some provide both nectar and pollen, and some only offer pollen. As the growing season progresses, more resources become available to bees, but you can help them out in early spring by planting some early blooming native trees and shrubs. …
Read MoreGreat Native Plants for Hummingbirds: What Are You Growing?
Want hummingbirds? Skip the feeder (or add to it) and grow some of the native plants that hummingbirds favor. Hummers particularly love red tubular flowers, so make sure to include some. Here are some hummer favorites: Native Perennials and more for Hummingbirds Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) Aquilegia canadensis (Canada Columbine) Asclepias species (Milkweed) Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead) Chelone lyonii (Pink…
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