This week I discuss pupation, the chrysalis formation stage of the butterfly life cycle, and share footage of a monarch caterpillar transforming into its lovely jade green chrysalis. Although not all aspects of butterfly metamorphosis are completely understood, the process...
This week I discuss a pollinator supporting powerhouse, the ecologically and horticulturally intriguing New Jersey tea. Beautiful, fragrant, and drought tolerant, this short-statured native shrub provides significant wildlife habitat for pollinating insects, birds, and mammals! Special thanks to Rita Seston...
In honor of National Pollinator Week, I focus on some less well known native plants that support our pollinators! I discuss species that serve as larval host and nectar plants for butterflies as well as providing food for bees and...
This week I discuss my thought process for selecting native plant species that will thrive in various home landscapes. I share helpful resources and give step-by-step guidance for understanding important site conditions that should influence the selection of suitable native...
This week I share a diminutive but enchanting little spring wildflower, starflower. Learn where to find this species and how to identify it. May you find many of them on your next walk in the woods!
This week I share a striking dragonfly that I found in my birdbath, the Cobra Clubtail. Learn about this species and its dependence on high quality riparian habitats. Hope you have a lovely Memorial Day and get outside to see...
This week I share a beautiful spring orchid species, pink lady's slipper. Learn how to identify this wildflower and why propagation and transplanting are very difficult. The best thing we can do for this species is preserve existing populations and...
This week I share how I am redesigning the store landscape with three turf alternative seed mixes, continuing from the frost seeding of dry sand prairie featured in Monday with Martha #45.
This week I discuss several tips for attracting hummingbirds to your landscape. It's time to get your nectar feeders up and think about what native plants species you could add to your yard to support these charismatic creatures!
