Pollinating Pest Controller
This paper wasp (Polistes spp) is enjoying the native Virginia bluebells as much as we do! The wasp pictured is […]
Weed it and Reap
Any of these faces look familiar? Chances are, if you’re a gardener, you’re well-acquainted with most of them! Early season
Spring Treat
Although the recent weather whiplash may make you wonder whether spring is really on its way, just look up! The
Have Some (Syca)more
Have you noticed a deciduous tree that seems to have forgotten to put away its Christmas decorations? The seed balls
Feed the Birds?
We know that native plants are the best source of winter food for birds–both the seeds and berries they produce,
It seems almost unbelievable on a frigid winter’s day, but some butterflies in central PA endure the winter as adults.
We Heart Solidago
What’s the buzz? Recently, we were excited to read the results of Mt Cuba Center’s latest native plant trial. The
The Very Secret Caterpillar
Many insects successfully pass the winter as immature larvae. The great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele) spends the winter as a
Winter Sowing
Even in frigid weather, Mother Nature is taking care of business. Did you know that some seeds, like those of
Are You Sleeping?
Most of us are familiar with the story of the monarch butterfly’s epic journey to Mexico each fall. But what
Delayed Journey
In December 2025, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) moved the monarch butterfly’s Endangered
A Gift that Keeps on Giving
After the holidays, don’t be in a hurry to haul your Christmas tree to the curb for disposal–instead, allow it
Holly Jolly
Nothing stands out in the winter landscape like a branch of glossy green holly with bright red berries. Ilex is
There’s a New Tag in Town
For the first time, scientists are able to track the migration of monarch butterflies across much of North America in
Deck the Halls…with Native Plants
Poinsettias and Christmas cactus are lovely seasonal decorations that many homes wouldn’t be without at this time of year. But
Can’t Let Go
Although autumn leaves have mostly fallen by this time of year, you may have noticed that a few are still
Give Thanks for Pollinators
Love pumpkin pie? Thank a squash bee! Our native cucurbits, pumpkin and squash, rely on native squash bees for pollination.
Autumn Display
Not to be confused with its more well-known cousin, St John’s wort, shrubby St John’s wort (Hypericum prolificum) is one
Brush Up Your Habitat
It might be November, but the gardeners of the SBG have been hard at work on a number of tasks,
Digging In
Colder temperatures make us all feel the need for cozy winter quarters–even if you’re a bee! And the beautiful bicolored
Autumn Bounty
As the leaves fall and temperatures plummet, the daisy-like flowers of frost aster (Symphotrichum pilosum) keep going strong. These tiny
Feelin’ Sassy
Sassafras: It’s fun to say and even more fun to grow, and it’s one of our favorite trees in the
Leave the Leaves
With the arrival of cooler temperatures, curbside leaf collection is underway in many parts of the Centre region. Homeowners and
Go for the Gold
As we transition to autumn, many gardens take on a more muted palette, and goldenrod provides a welcome pop of
Tag, You’re It!
It was a beautiful day for The Magic of Monarch Migration at the SBG last Saturday. In partnership with Monarch
Monarch Migration 2025
The 2025 monarch migration has begun, with observers in Minnesota and Michigan reporting relatively high numbers compared to recent years.
A Cup of Gold
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is hard to miss, growing up to 9 feet tall. At the SBG, it can be
Keep Calm and Carrot On
It’s easy to confuse the spicebush swallowtail with the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), as both species have dark forewings and
A Little Prickly?
Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum parvum), currently blooming in the Woodland Garden, is an aromatic, spiny, thicket-forming deciduous shrub or small tree
Blaze of Glory
For a dramatic vertical accent in the summer pollinator garden, you can’t go wrong with blazing star. There are over
Wild for Wild Senna
The distinctive foliage of wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) is topped with racemes of bright yellow flowers which are attractive to
Humming Along
Hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe) The common name of this member of the sphinx moth family is no mystery. As
Super Fly
Look there, on that coneflower…Is it a bee? Is it a wasp? It’s… a hover fly! With their yellow and
Bee Magnet
What’s that attractive, low shrub that’s just covered with visiting bees? Why, it’s shrubby St John’s wort (Hypericum prolificum). One
Independence
Independence Day is right around the corner, and what could be more independent than a native solitary bee? Approximately 90%
Guiding Lights
The tall white spires of beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) lend a graceful air to the late spring pollinator garden, and provide
Cutting Up
What’s eating my (redbud, rosebush, azalea, etc)? Homeowners observing this particular type of damage to trees and shrubs may assume
A Shrub for All Seasons
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a versatile native shrub with something going on in every season of the year. Its common
Golden Opportunity
The lovely yellow blooms of Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) fill the gap during that awkward period in late spring/early summer,
Made in the Shade
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is an attractive native ground cover for shade or part shade. If its heart-shaped leaves look familiar,
Up the Ladder
It’s spring ephemeral time at the SBG! and Jacob’s Ladder is currently blooming in the Woodland Garden. This member of
(Not-so) Lesser Evil
While working in the demonstration gardens is usually an exercise in pleasant discoveries, we recently came across one plant we’d
Spice it Up
At the SBG, spring means spicebush! Lindera benzoin, a member of the Lauraceae family, is currently blooming in all its
Trees for Bees
Red maples (Acer rubrum) are beloved by humans for their brilliant fall foliage and attractive, regular growth habit. But their
Popular Populus
The fuzzy catkins of aspen are unfurling throughout Tudek Park this week, and can serve as a reminder of the
Feed the Birds
A visitor to the SBG at this time of year can expect to be rewarded with the sight and sounds
Founding Gardeners
Although the popular myth of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree has been largely debunked, it IS true that
Pining for You
With most of our native trees standing stark and bare at this time of year, evergreens like hemlock and pine
Making it Official
The monarch butterfly just might be the most recognizable insect in America. At the SBG, we often refer to it
New Year, New Leaf?
For many, the New Year offers a time of reflection and a chance to turn over a new leaf, and
Layer Up!
These cold winter days are a great time to plan your 2025 pollinator garden. It’s tempting to dive right into
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
Stealing a kiss under the mistletoe is a well-known Christmas tradition. But mistletoe is not just a holiday decoration–It’s vitally
Pollinator Puzzle
When poinsettias appear in the stores, it’s a sure sign that the festive season is upon us. But why are
Love Pumpkin? Thank a Squash Bee!
Our native cucurbits, pumpkin and squash, rely on native squash bees for pollination. Ground-nesting, solitary squash bees (two different genera:
On a Wing and a Prayer
The distinctive seedpods of milkweeds (Asclepias spp) are produced in late summer. At first a fresh green, they have turned
Love Lunas? Leave the Leaves!
The luna moth (Actias luna), with its incredible size (3-4.5-inch wingspan), striking pale green color, and long tails, is arguably
Fright or Friend?
Eek! The jagged assassin bug (Phymata spp) might look scary, but there’s no need to fear–unless you’re an insect. This
Best Supporting Act
It’s beginning to feel a lot like autumn, and right on cue, the leaves are beginning to don their magnificent
Falling for Fall
“Bringing the outside in” is a popular decorating trend, and autumn is a great time for it, offering many interesting
Staying Power
A must for any pollinator garden, aromatic aster (Symphotrichum oblongifolium) produces masses of purple flowers in the fall which bloom
A Bee, or Not a Bee?
That is the question…which is frequently asked by visitors to the SBG! When we discuss the habits of solitary ground
Monarch Migration 2024
First reports are in…and they’re not great. According to the World Wildlife Federation, the eastern migratory monarch population shows a
Milkweed Loves Monarchs
That’s right–not only do monarchs need milkweed to survive, but some ecologists believe that milkweeds may rely on monarchs as
Milkweed Madness
Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed to survive–but they’re not the only ones! There are two true bugs that are associated
King of the Meadow
Growing anywhere from 2 to 10 feet tall, it’s no wonder that another common name for tall meadow rue (Thalictrum
No Sweat
The beautiful bright, shiny coloration of this little bee may make it one of the easiest bees in the garden
Prairie Powerhouse
The bright yellow flowers of prairie coneflower (Ratibida spp) feature heavily drooping petals that flutter in the slightest breeze, grouped
Anise? Hyssop?
Neither an anise or a hyssop, this member of the mint family has the characteristic square stems of its tribe.
Smell of Success
“Its flowers are very fragrant and when in season, they fill the woods with their sweet exhalations and make it
A Honey of a Plant
At the SBG, we’re often asked, “What kind of honeysuckle is OK to plant”? People are increasingly aware that non-native
Name That Native!
Blooming now, the broad, flat clusters of elderberry (Sambuca spp) are an attractive nectar source for a wide array of
Sweet Native
Many pollinator gardeners have learned that some popular ‘pollinator’ plants are really not that great for the habitat, such as
Smooth Move
Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a wonderful native hydrangea that is the host for the stunning hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa
Way Down Yonder….
Pawpaw (Asiminia triloba) could once be found growing all over the eastern half of the US, especially favoring the rich
Sweet Violet
A North American native, Canada violet (Viola canadensis) delights us in spring with its fragrant white blooms. A good choice
Spice it Up
We crave the bright colors of spring after a long, grey winter, and native plants are always happy to oblige!
Eggs-citing
The Easter Bunny isn’t the only one who brings colorful eggs! Many butterflies and moths lay beautiful, jewel-like eggs, either
Sign of Spring
Pussy willow (Salix discolor) is a welcome sight as one of the earliest signs of spring, and it’s perhaps the
Double Duty
At the SBG, amsonia is one of our favorite double-duty native perennials, with its lovely blue spring flowers and brilliant
Meet the Beetles
What pollinating insect has over 400,000 known species, making up almost half of all insects and 25% of all animals
Feed the Birds
Many gardeners are bird lovers, and even those who aren’t confirmed ‘birders’ enjoy watching our feathered friends in the garden
Leaves for Lepidoptera
With the advent of colder temperatures, curbside leaf collection is underway in many parts of the Centre region. But savvy
Wild and Woolly
We’ve posted before about that caterpillar that we all see crossing our paths at this time of year–the banded woolly
SOS–Save Our Seeds!
It’s hard to believe, but it’s time for many of our favorite pollinator plants to set seed. And now’s the
A Regal Pair
“Purple and gold, the heraldic colors of the king and queen of the meadow, a regal procession in complementary colors”.
Back-to-School Edition
Since 2010, the SBG has been installing ‘satellite gardens’ at schools throughout the Centre region–more than 20 to date! Master
Regular Joe
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp ) is in full bloom at the SBG, and pollinators are taking full advantage of
Parsley Worms?
Gardeners know: Those colorful swallowtails munching away on your dill, fennel or parsley can eat the entire herb down to
Suddenly Susans
The cheerful faces of ‘black-eyed Susans’ set gardens and roadsides ablaze at this time of year. The genus name Rudbeckia
Wanna-Bees
Bees: these pollinator super-stars are great garden friends who are enjoying increasing popularity among gardeners who realize their value. But
A Tale of Two…Monardas
Scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) is a most decorative member of the mint family. The common name ‘bee balm’ refers
The Admirable Red Admiral
The gorgeous red admiral butterfly can be found worldwide, including at the SBG! Adults are easily identified by the bright
Let’s Hear it for the Boys
It’s easy to joke about how male bees are only good for one thing. But on this Father’s Day, let’s
I Need a Drink!
The dry weather we’ve been experiencing recently is a reminder that pollinators need water, too! A fully-stocked pollinator habitat must
Mind the Gap
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is an easy-going native that should be in every pollinator garden. Its blooms fill the gap
Hi, Neighbor!
Finding the capped-off tunnels of native cavity-nesting bees is always a thrill for us at the SBG. Whether spotted in
Soft Landings
Arbor Day is right around the corner (April 28) and at the SBG, we love to celebrate trees–after all, native