This week I explain why goldenrods are great--from human health, aesthetic, and ecological perspectives. Members of the genus Solidago deserve our respect and should be celebrated as an important part of our American natural heritage and late-blooming pollinator powerhouses! I...
This week I share a showy perennial offering plenty of pollinator support in late summer into fall, great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)! Related to the much-loved cardinal flower, this species doesn't get the attention it deserves. Learn what this species...
This week I share another adventure in butterfly rearing--meet the charismatic and color-changing Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio/Pterourus troilus)! From bird poop, to scary predator, to flying beauties in black, learn how this species survives in our forested landscapes and what larval...
This week I share another great pollinator powerhouse plant, mountain mint, that works well in rain gardens, bioswales, and full to part sun plantings with various soil types. I discuss our two most common mountain mint species here in Michigan,...
With the addition of monarch to the IUCN Red List, I thought it would be helpful to discuss an easy way we can help this once-common species in our landscapes--by providing site-appropriate native milkweed plants to serve as larval host...
In honor of National Moth Week, I share the story of rearing Giant Leopard Moths from eggs last summer. Learn about the life history of this gorgeous tiger moth species, whose very charismatic caterpillars are also known as Giant Woolly...
Check out the unique tallgrass prairie perennial, rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium). This summertime pollinator plant is unusual in shape and color and will add visual interest to any full sun native planting in addition to supporting our native insects!
This week I share our field findings during the 34th Annual Butterfly Count at Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan. We had a lot of fun and observed some very neat species. I hope you are able to get outside...
This week I share some entertaining footage of fledgling birds beginning to find their independence at the feeder! Learn how to recognize fledglings from adult birds and what you can do to get them off to a strong start!
