Minted
The Perennial Plant Association recently named clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) as its 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year, and […]
With most of our native trees standing stark and bare at this time of year, evergreens like hemlock and pine
The monarch butterfly just might be the most recognizable insect in America. At the SBG, we often refer to it
These cold winter days are a great time to plan your 2025 pollinator garden. It’s tempting to dive right into
Stealing a kiss under the mistletoe is a well-known Christmas tradition. But mistletoe is not just a holiday decoration–It’s vitally
When poinsettias appear in the stores, it’s a sure sign that the festive season is upon us. But why are
Our native cucurbits, pumpkin and squash, rely on native squash bees for pollination. Ground-nesting, solitary squash bees (two different genera:
The distinctive seedpods of milkweeds (Asclepias spp) are produced in late summer. At first a fresh green, they have turned
The luna moth (Actias luna), with its incredible size (3-4.5-inch wingspan), striking pale green color, and long tails, is arguably
Eek! The jagged assassin bug (Phymata spp) might look scary, but there’s no need to fear–unless you’re an insect. This
It’s beginning to feel a lot like autumn, and right on cue, the leaves are beginning to don their magnificent
“Bringing the outside in” is a popular decorating trend, and autumn is a great time for it, offering many interesting
A must for any pollinator garden, aromatic aster (Symphotrichum oblongifolium) produces masses of purple flowers in the fall which bloom
That is the question…which is frequently asked by visitors to the SBG! When we discuss the habits of solitary ground
First reports are in…and they’re not great. According to the World Wildlife Federation, the eastern migratory monarch population shows a
That’s right–not only do monarchs need milkweed to survive, but some ecologists believe that milkweeds may rely on monarchs as
Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed to survive–but they’re not the only ones! There are two true bugs that are associated
Growing anywhere from 2 to 10 feet tall, it’s no wonder that another common name for tall meadow rue (Thalictrum
The beautiful bright, shiny coloration of this little bee may make it one of the easiest bees in the garden
The bright yellow flowers of prairie coneflower (Ratibida spp) feature heavily drooping petals that flutter in the slightest breeze, grouped
Neither an anise or a hyssop, this member of the mint family has the characteristic square stems of its tribe.
“Its flowers are very fragrant and when in season, they fill the woods with their sweet exhalations and make it
At the SBG, we’re often asked, “What kind of honeysuckle is OK to plant”? People are increasingly aware that non-native
Blooming now, the broad, flat clusters of elderberry (Sambuca spp) are an attractive nectar source for a wide array of
Many pollinator gardeners have learned that some popular ‘pollinator’ plants are really not that great for the habitat, such as
Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a wonderful native hydrangea that is the host for the stunning hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa
Pawpaw (Asiminia triloba) could once be found growing all over the eastern half of the US, especially favoring the rich
A North American native, Canada violet (Viola canadensis) delights us in spring with its fragrant white blooms. A good choice
We crave the bright colors of spring after a long, grey winter, and native plants are always happy to oblige!
The Easter Bunny isn’t the only one who brings colorful eggs! Many butterflies and moths lay beautiful, jewel-like eggs, either
Pussy willow (Salix discolor) is a welcome sight as one of the earliest signs of spring, and it’s perhaps the
At the SBG, amsonia is one of our favorite double-duty native perennials, with its lovely blue spring flowers and brilliant
What pollinating insect has over 400,000 known species, making up almost half of all insects and 25% of all animals
Many gardeners are bird lovers, and even those who aren’t confirmed ‘birders’ enjoy watching our feathered friends in the garden
With the advent of colder temperatures, curbside leaf collection is underway in many parts of the Centre region. But savvy
We’ve posted before about that caterpillar that we all see crossing our paths at this time of year–the banded woolly
It’s hard to believe, but it’s time for many of our favorite pollinator plants to set seed. And now’s the
“Purple and gold, the heraldic colors of the king and queen of the meadow, a regal procession in complementary colors”.
Since 2010, the SBG has been installing ‘satellite gardens’ at schools throughout the Centre region–more than 20 to date! Master
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp ) is in full bloom at the SBG, and pollinators are taking full advantage of
Gardeners know: Those colorful swallowtails munching away on your dill, fennel or parsley can eat the entire herb down to
The cheerful faces of ‘black-eyed Susans’ set gardens and roadsides ablaze at this time of year. The genus name Rudbeckia
Bees: these pollinator super-stars are great garden friends who are enjoying increasing popularity among gardeners who realize their value. But
Scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) is a most decorative member of the mint family. The common name ‘bee balm’ refers
The gorgeous red admiral butterfly can be found worldwide, including at the SBG! Adults are easily identified by the bright
It’s easy to joke about how male bees are only good for one thing. But on this Father’s Day, let’s
The dry weather we’ve been experiencing recently is a reminder that pollinators need water, too! A fully-stocked pollinator habitat must
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is an easy-going native that should be in every pollinator garden. Its blooms fill the gap
Finding the capped-off tunnels of native cavity-nesting bees is always a thrill for us at the SBG. Whether spotted in
Arbor Day is right around the corner (April 28) and at the SBG, we love to celebrate trees–after all, native
You were a conscientious gardener and waited to begin your spring clean-up until after April 15 (even though it was
At the vernal (spring) equinox, the sun shines directly at the equator, making it one of two times in the
Over 70% of native bees are ground nesting, with the females digging and provisioning their own individual nests in the
Sunny and 70 degrees one day, snow and ice the next; periods of drought followed by torrential rains. Sound familiar?
Question mark butterflies (Polygonia interrogationis) can be found throughout the eastern U.S., most often in open woods or woodland edges,
Bumble bees (Bombus spp) are superstars of the pollinator world. Their long work day, efficient pollen-transport structures, and ability to
Valentine’s Day may have passed, but love is in the air at the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in
Many gardeners are bird lovers, and even those who aren’t confirmed ‘birders’ enjoy watching our feathered friends in the garden
The winter landscape offers a chance to focus on interesting sights that are often hidden by the blooms of spring
As the snow melts, homeowners may begin to notice a network of ‘runways’ wreaking havoc on their lawns and flowerbeds.