Pre-poisoned Plants This is a reiteration of the importance of Mariette Nowak’s article titled “Are ‘Safe’ Pesticides Killing Pollinators”. A few things that have come up since she wrote it. It was recently revealed (Pesticide Research Institute, Pesticide Action Network of North America, Beyond Pesticides) that many “bee friendly” home garden plants sold at Home […] Continue reading "The Grapevine (Nov 2013)"
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"
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"
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"
Native to much of Canada and the northern half of the United States, the beloved pussy willow (Salixdiscolor) heralds spring by bursting its bud scales, revealing catkins clothed in silk. Continue reading "Beyond the Bird Feeder: Pussy Willow"
Pines rank above every other conifer in their value as a food plant for birds and other wildlife. Winter, when their green limbs are often frosted with snow, is the one of best times of year to admire both their value and their beauty. Continue reading "Beyond the Bird Feeder: Pines"
Natural Areas Maintenance from the JFNew Nursery Newsletter, 2009 As the year winds down, fall is a great time to prepare new areas for a dormant or “frost” seeding. Many people associate fall plantings with just cool-season grasses, but many wildflower species do well if planted in the fall. The ideal planting time is from […] Continue reading "The Grapevine (Nov 2009)"
