Sometimes I get frustrated with our county road maintenance. Last month they added a new head-scratcher: taking a bulldozer to peel up the roadside sod for miles. It was less devastating than some of the tree damage they do with their horrific tree- and shrub-twisting machine, but I was heartbroken because they also scoured away one of my favorite early spring ephemerals: the many native violets that line the road near our house. I know; in some areas, violets are considered a bane to the perfect lawn. They can be aggressive when happy. For most species, that means they’re planted in moist, sh ..read more

It’s almost here. I can feel it in my soul. My daffodils and tulips are already sprouting. Native plants are popping up everywhere, ready to go. My dormant grass is just waiting to burst forth, and then the war begins. Spring… it’s almost here. It may arrive early if prognosticators are correct. It’s such a warm day, and I want to be out in it, tidying things up, getting ready for April and planting season. But, I know I need to be patient. When I do start the process, I need to tidy up for spring with wildlife in mind, and that means waiting a little longer. Patience is Key, Especially for Na ..read more

Let’s face it, as a writer and editor, I’m a book nerd. So it should come as no surprise that I love giving books as presents for Christmas. In that spirit, I’m going to recommend ten books that would make a great gift for the wildlife gardener in your life. Without further ado, here they are! “Bringing Nature Home” by Douglas W. Tallamy: In this influential book, Tallamy emphasizes the importance of native plants in supporting local ecosystems. Tallamy is rightfully recognized as a leader in the push to use native plants in our gardens to help pollinators and other wildlife. “The Wildlife-Fr ..read more

For gardeners, the USDA Hardiness Zone Map is an invaluable tool, guiding us on the types of plants that are likely to thrive in our region based on temperature extremes. Recently, this familiar map has undergone some changes, reflecting shifts in climate patterns across the United States. In this blog post, I’ll explore the recent updates to the USDA Hardiness Zone Map and what they mean for adaptable gardeners. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides the United States into zones based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. This information helps gard ..read more

Winter arrived earlier than usual this year, and I woke up this morning to a frosty landscape sparkling in the early sunlight. My annuals won’t survive, so many of my plants will be turning brown and dying. This time of year, we are programmed by society to tidy up our outdoor spaces by cutting down plants and raking away fallen leaves. However, this well-intentioned winter cleanup may not be the best approach for the local wildlife that depends on our gardens for survival. Leaving plants standing and leaves in place can offer significant benefits to the wildlife that call our gardens home. Wi ..read more

I’m lucky enough to live in a zone that supports American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana). This southern shrub can be an excellent choice for supporting local biodiversity. I’ll never forget walking a formal garden near Charleston, South Carolina, marveling at how beautyberry was used in the borders of so many varied spaces. With fall arriving soon, it’s the perfect time to incorporate it into your own landscape. It grows quickly, and in a single year, you may enjoy some berries a year from now. Native Range American Beautyberry is native to the southeastern United States. It’s commonly fou ..read more

When we think of pollinators in our gardens, bees and butterflies often steal the spotlight. However, there’s another group of unsung heroes that play a vital role in our ecosystems: hover flies, also known as flower flies or syrphid flies. These inconspicuous insects might resemble house flies, bees, or wasps, but they hold a unique place in our gardens, contributing to both the beauty and functionality of our outdoor spaces. The Beneficial Side of Hover Flies Hover flies are essential pollinators, supporting the reproduction of numerous plant species in North American gardens.  As they ..read more

Yesterday evening, I looked up in twilight to see hundreds of insects darting and dancing in the sky above my yard, outlined against the setting sun. At first, I thought they must be mosquitoes, there were so many of them. But as I watched, mesmerized, I realized, no, those are dragonflies! A cloud of them…. it was magical.  Dragonflies, with their intricate colors and graceful flight, have captured the hearts of gardeners and nature enthusiasts for centuries. So, today’s blog is about dragonflies in the garden, and why you should want them there. Life Cycle Much like butterflies, dragonf ..read more

When I was first gifted swamp milkweed, I wasn’t sure where to put it. I garden without irrigation, so I decided to try it in a large, half-barrel pot in partial shade. To my surprise, the plant actually thrived, and it had more monarch caterpillars on it than all my other milkweeds combined. Swamp milkweed is valuable to more than just monarchs, however. It is also used by many other pollinators. The Basics Swamp milkweed, scientifically known as Asclepias incarnata, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. It belongs to the milkweed family (Apocynaceae) and is closely related ..read more

I’ve always had coreopsis in my yard, that is, until my plants were wiped out by coreopsis beetles a few years ago. I didn’t plant any last year, and I hoped without any food during a harsh year for plants and insects, maybe the beetles would die off. So I planted some again this year, and while beetles did reappear on one plant, I have two others that are blooming gloriously. I’m happy, because coreopsis is simply the most cheerful flower in my yard. The Basics Coreopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as tickseed or calliopsis. There are over 100 speci ..read more