Redefining the Beauty of Nature and Wildlife in Our Gardens
Juniper has been a staple plant in northeastern landscapes for decades, and rightly so, because they’re among the few evergreens that do well in the toughest of locations, with a rare tolerance to road salt. But did you know they are also one of the more important native plants for wildlife? Junipers (Juniperus spp.) produce… [Continue Reading]
Photo courtesy of Las Pilitas nursery The Pasadena Rose Parade is behind us now, but the weather it is famous for remains: clear, sunny skies and short-sleeve temperatures. January, what better time for the California native gardener to start a new Wildlife Garden! In reflecting on last year’s garden, I have decided that I don’t… [Continue Reading]
Cruising at 1000 ft.. searching for “that tree”.. ascending to a height where land could only be a dark blur.. Orange-gold wings against blue sky.. Every October I think about the Monarch migration to Mexico. And I wonder: where do the West Coast Monarchs go? Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Photo Courtesy of Las… [Continue Reading]
My dear wildlife gardening friends, Sometimes we have to make tough choices. A favorite woodpecker tree must come down because it is dangerously close to the house; native plants have to be edited because they are too happy in our gardens; or, our gardening budgets won’t stretch to include everything we want to accomplish! I’ve… [Continue Reading]
I have been writing for the Beautiful Wildlife Garden blog for exactly one year. I remember when I first joined the team I was concerned whether I could keep up with a weekly article…would I have enough ideas? Well, it is 52 articles later and I have to say it has been quite a… [Continue Reading]
Let’s face it, the photo below is not everybody’s idea of an endearing garden. This swamp milkweed near our farm pond recently survived not one but TWO floods (recent storms Irene and Lee). Its roots were buried in sand and gravel runoff and part of the plant broke off at the base. The plant is… [Continue Reading]
Male butterflies are known for puddling — gathering salts, amino acids, and other nutrients from moist areas. They do this to help with successful reproduction, transferring some of the nutrients to the female during mating. Sometimes the favored buffet location might be as simple as a damp spot on the ground. But some species have been known… [Continue Reading]
The White Peacock butterfly (Anartia jatrophae) is one of the more prolific members of my garden crew at this time of year. I guess because of the winter freeze they were a little slow to return, but have comeback with amazing numbers now. They are members of the Brushfooted Butterflies Family (Nymphalidae). Caterpillar hosts include… [Continue Reading]
If you know anything about my garden, Clay and Limestone, you already know that I adore rough and tumble wildflowers. Wildflowers that many have called roadside weeds. Wildflowers with no known pedigree. Species wildflowers that haven’t had the wild or good bred out of them. Native species that do exactly what they are supposed to do:… [Continue Reading]
It’s late summer and the topiary buffalo are still roaming in Bison Meadow. You have to walk the paths to find them grazing amidst the wildflowers that have been growing all summer. Last winter when I introduced you to this two acre prairie, all that you could see were the bison, Junipers that dotted the… [Continue Reading]
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