I was walking my dog along the wood’s edge right near where we cleared land to build our greenhouse when I did a double take. There, like Jack’s magical beanstalk, had grown overnight this gem: American burnweed. Also known as fireweed or American burn weed, it grows rapidly – and I mean, rapidly. Like I…
Butterfly Gardening
Butterfly gardening means planting trees, shrubs, and flowers to attract and sustain various butterfly species. As forests, meadows, and other undeveloped areas disappear to housing developments and roadways, the natural habitats of butterflies are disappearing.
Butterflies need specific ecosystems to survive. Monarch butterflies are a great example. They have adapted to thrive on milkweed. The caterpillars must feed on milkweed leaves in order to survive. Yet milkweed is one of the plants that are often bulldozed to make way for development.
Learn about the many beautiful plants you can add to your garden to attract pollinators and support native species. Buterfly gardening is fun for the whole family, and children love getting involved, too.
