A natural area restoration can not be truly natural unless it uses plants with a genetic makeup (genotype) similar to those that were in that area originally. Continue reading "A Mystery Explored: Why is Local Genotype Important in Restoration Efforts?"
Have you ever wondered why it is, that to reproduce Monarch butterflies need milkweed; and why there actually are plants deer dislike; and why northeastern squirrels prefer white oak acorns to those of red oaks? Why, field guides of plants, insects and butterflies, use the term ‘host plant’? What is the connection between the evolutionary […] Continue reading "A Mystery Explored: Secondary Metabolites"
Yards of native landscapers generally look different. There isn’t much lawn. The shrubs aren’t trimmed into balls or cones. The perennials are all mixed up, and many get tall…very tall. So what’s the problem? Continue reading "Cues to Care: The Language of Neighborly Landscaping"
Researchers have documented, in many recent studies, that the Eurasian honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) hereafter referred to as “honeysuckle” shrubs are much more harmful than previously believed. While it has long been known that these shrubs are invasive, and obliterate native understory vegetation, including native shrubs and herbaceous plants, it has now been shown that honeysuckles […] Continue reading "Eurasian Honeysuckle: Bad for birds, bad for trees, and bad for you"
It’s often said that the Jack-in-the-pulpit changes its sex as it ages. Is that really true? Continue reading "A Mystery Explored: The Sex Life of Jack-in-the-Pulpit"
We all love holly for the holidays, and so do birds. We value native hollies for decorations and for landscaping, while birds appreciate their berries, abundant during the lean times of winter. The American holly, (Ilex opaca), is the only native holly with evergreen spiny leaves and red berries – the classic characteristics of holly. Continue reading "Beyond the Bird Feeder: Holly"
Wild Ones members make an effort to save native plants that would otherwise be destroyed by a bulldozer because of land development. This bittersweet situation provides you the opportunity to retrieve plants for your landscape. Rules vary from chapter to chapter, but a code of ethics and liability waivers are required. Following are some guidelines. […] Continue reading "Conducting a Plant Rescue"
Sharing your native garden with the media? Prepare thoughtfully. Reporters may not understand ecological landscaping, so avoid jargon, focus on key points, and offer vivid examples. Educate, inspire, and celebrate the joy your garden brings. Continue reading "Talking about your landscape? For best results, remember these points, and cut back on the jargon"
Bring both berries and birds to your garden with a native mulberry tree. There are two species native to North America – the red mulberry (Morus rubra) and the Texas mulberry (Morus microphylla). Continue reading "Beyond the Bird Feeder: Mulberry Tree"
The beautiful red Canada columbine (Aqiulegia canadensis) is the only native columbine found throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Continue reading "Beyond the Bird Feeder: Wild Columbine"
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