Milkweed (Asclepias) is a native perennial featuring colorful flower clusters and sturdy stems that grow naturally in prairie lands and woodland areas. These plants are hardy perennials heavily laden with nectar, creating a buffet for pollinators like butterflies, serving as the sole host plant to the monarch caterpillar. While this is a mighty task for a small perennial, milkweed gets it done and adds pollinator value beyond supporting the monarch population. Perennial gardeners and pollinator enthusiasts alike also adore the distinct flower clusters! Here, we'll discuss the importance of milkweed to the monarch population and why gardeners love growing this care-free perennial.
Milkweed is the sole host plant to a monarch caterpillar meaning we need milkweed to have monarchs! This native wildflower can be found naturally in prairies and meadows, evolving alongside butterflies to develop relationships critical to our environment. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, while adult monarchs feast upon the nectar-filled florets, giving them ample energy to reproduce in the Eastern U.S. and Canada during the warmer months. In return, milkweed continues to spread via seed dispersal through wind pollination. And with about 35 percent of the world's food crops depend on animal and insect pollinators to reproduce, it's clear to see how vital it is that resources are abundant for these important creatures.
Loss of habitat in croplands and pesticide use have dwindled milkweed plants and other nectar resources, putting monarchs in a vulnerable position. According to a U.S. Geological Survey study, 3.62 billion milkweed stems are needed to reestablish this monarch population, but only 1.34 billion stems remain in the U.S. But there is still time to make a difference; spread the word and begin planting more milkweed and other pollinator plants to fight for the monarchs!
Milkweed isn't just an essential plant in the monarch butterfly lifecycle; many other native insects like honeybees, moths, and hummingbirds can't get enough of the colorful florets heavily laden with nectar that arrives two years after planting. Ample flower clusters emerge in late spring and continue blooming prolifically through the end of summer, providing a long-lasting food source when our pollinators need it most! The thick green foliage stays sturdy, leaving plenty of leaves for monarch caterpillars to feast upon.
But it's not just the nectar and leaves that pollinators love; after blooming through the summer, spent flowers turn into large seed pods in the fall. Birds like American tree sparrows and finches adore these seed pods. The seed pods are surrounded by tufts of wispy hair that aid in wind pollination and help grow more milkweed plants.
Milkweed doesn't just put in the work to support pollinators; it does so all while being incredibly low-maintenance, disease-resistant, adaptable, and drought-tolerant for gardeners too! While we naturally see milkweed growing in meadows or woodland areas, this powerful perennial looks fabulous in nearly any sunny garden as long as it's planted in well-drained soil. We love seeing this powerful perennial surrounded by other sun-loving plants like coneflower, bee balm, and aster. While your garden will buzz with bees and butterflies, deer tend to avoid them, so you won't have to worry about them damaging your milkweed plants. So sit back, relax, and admire the gorgeous flower clusters that helped make your garden a pollinator sanctuary.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
The symbiotic relationship between bees and plants is a testament to the intricate balance of the natural world. Bees are workers, no pun intended. They feed on nectar and spread pollen between plants, thus creating more plants and a thriving ecosystem for wildlife, humans, and other pollinators to enjoy. Beyond the aesthetics, bees and other pollinators like butterflies, birds, and flies are essential for our food supply. So, if you're interested in attracting and supporting bees, choose these plants to keep your garden buzzing!
Bees and other pollinators have co-evolved with plants for over thousands of years to form a mutually beneficial relationship. Pollinators feed on nectar provided by flowers, and in the process, they collect and distribute pollen as their bodies brush against anthers and stigmas, successfully completing pollination. In turn, plants develop more attractive flower colors, scents, and nectar to entice pollinators to visit and aid in their reproduction. It's a win-win! Over time, bees continued to prefer plants that provide a food source with easy access (flat or tubular flowers) with lots of nectar.
Bees also have incredible vision and can easily perceive flowers that are purple, blue, violet/pink, white, yellow, and orange colors. Native perennials and shrubs in the violet-blue color range generally contain more nectar than any other color! Because bees can easily see these vivid bright colors it makes darker colors, like red, brown and black hues harder to see and less appealing. In fact, bees may interpret darker colors as natural predators and avoid any plants that are predominantly these hues.
Easy care, durable, and great for beginner gardeners looking to attract pollinators. What's not to love about calamint? Closely related to catmint (Nepeta), the small but mighty, confetti-like flowers are densely packed along aromatic foliage.
The native bush honeysuckle (Diervilla) features blazing leaves in autumn and pretty orange hues, but it's the yellow flowers that attract bees! The flowers attract pollinators with nectar, but the foliage hosts many species of caterpillars and hummingbird moths.
The tall habit and giant flowers of Rose of Sharon make it an ideal choice for hedges or specimen plantings. We can't think of a more romantic pollinator plant that brings this much flower power!
It makes sense why the common name for Monarda is bee balm because this plant is a magnet for honeybees and more. This native perennial features colorful, slender tubular flowers on broad flower heads, providing a large landing pad for pollinators to stake their claim.
When we think of summer-blooming plants, we can't help but envision a sea of colorful coneflowers! Just plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil and watch as they bloom with ease from June through July.
Butterflies don't just adore butterfly bush as its name implies; this shrub has many nectar-filled florets that bees love as well! So what makes butterfly bush so intoxicating to bees? The purple, pink, and blue colors with a sweet honey scent check all their boxes.
Milkweed is a native perennial thrives in meadow gardens throughout the United States. The sturdy stems support large clusters of flowers, literally oozing with pollen and nectar.
While hydrangeas aren't common pollinator plants, the right hydrangea can be a beacon of pollinator activity! Mophead hydrangeas have infertile, showy florets that block access to fertile florets with nectar and pollen, making it difficult for bees to enjoy. However, varieties with exposed fertile florets, like lacecap hydrangeas, act as a pollinator buffet.
Crapemyrtle may be among the most underrated pollinator plants, but not in our eyes! This shrub is a staple in pollinator gardens, not just for its attractive, bright, ruffled flowers that contrast deep foliage but for its pollinator benefits.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Variety is the spice of life and brings butterflies to the garden! The butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a deciduous shrub cherished for the vibrant, long flower panicles that attract pollinators looking to feast on its nectar-filled flowers. From compact dwarf varieties packed with flowers to highly fragrant long-bloomers, these types of butterfly bushes, big or small, are sure to stun in the landscape. Here, we'll discuss some of our favorite varieties and their unique garden features to find the perfect butterfly bush for you.
Darker purple than other butterfly bush varieties, 'Black Knight' (Buddleia davidii) makes for a dramatic feature in the landscape. Luckily, you won't have to wait long to experience its beauty; this butterfly bush is fast-growing compared to other varieties. This butterfly bush will spread and naturalize from midsummer through fall by self-seeding.
Shop this variety: Buddleia 'Black Knight' butterfly bush.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Aside from adding beauty to the garden, native plants have direct biological and environmental impacts that play a crucial role in supporting a healthy ecosystem. From removing carbon emissions to providing essential food sources, native plants improve air quality and promote local wildlife, all while looking good in the process. Here, we'll dig into five reasons you should consider native plants in your garden or landscape.
Native plants are an essential food source for pollinators and insects, providing pollen, nectar, and seeds. These important species feed on this food source, with some insects having co-evolved with the plant and solely relying on it to survive. While non-native species also offer food to pollinators, some studies say that pollinators prefer native plant species. Research shows that native plants are four times more attractive to pollinators than non-natives because pollinators and plants have evolved alongside each other for many years, creating a mutually beneficial relationship in the ecosystem. Planting native species will supply pollinators with the nutrition they need to thrive!
By cultivating native plants, you invite new species of pollinators or insects to your area and add a spectrum of colors, textures, and fragrances to your garden. Here are some of our favorites to increase the biodiversity of your landscape, all while looking fabulous in the process!
Native plants can cut down on our water consumption. Yes! Because native plants have adapted to soil and temperature conditions in the local environment, they rely on less water supply and quickly adapt after planting. The lack of supplemental water, robust root system, and the ability of native plants to better absorb also reduces runoff and erosion in the landscape. Because native plants adapt quickly to specific regions, they are incredibly resistant to disease, thus requiring less fertilizers and pesticides. What's not to love about these powerful plants?
With native plants co-evolving with pollinators, many have relied on them to provide shelter and protection from environmental conditions and predators, with some even evolving to blend in with their plant surroundings. Native trees, shrubs, and grasses also provide nesting sites and cover for birds and small insects while creating a barrier against predators. This shelter can also create a microclimate and either reduce or increase temperature better suited for these beneficial pollinators. Many insects often use native species to lay their larvae to hatch come spring safely.
Another way native plants can support a healthy ecosystem is by promoting healthy air quality. Native plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their roots and soil. Because native plants have such a robust root system, they can store more carbon than non-native plants in the same area, thus filtering pollutants faster and more effectively. A recent study by Environmental Science & Technology reported by Ohio State University stated that adding native plants and trees to the landscapes near factories and other pollution sources could reduce air pollution by an average of 27 percent compared to costly added technologies.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Photo by: Michele Dorsey Walfred
Want to create a butterfly oasis that lasts all summer? Welcome 'Jeana' Phlox - a long-blooming phlox variety with clusters of dainty pink/purple flowers in a neat, tidy habit. 'Jeana' was earning accolades from gardeners worldwide and was named the 2024 Perennial Plant of the Year by The Perennial Plant Association, all for good reason. Here, we'll dive into just what makes this phlox variety a standout in the garden.
Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. 'Jeana' Phlox prefers soil with a slightly acid to neutral pH.
'Jeana' phlox needs full sun (6+ hrs/day).
Don't overwater this phlox - 'Jeana' prefers medium to low moisture.
Fertilizer is generally unnecessary for phlox, but a slow-release granular fertilizer worked into the soil around the plants in the spring is sufficient.
No special care is needed. Cut foliage in late fall to prevent fungal diseases from returning in spring. Luckily 'Jeana' is especially resistant to powdery mildew.
Encourage faster reblooming by cutting back stems after flowering by 1/2. This will maintain dense growth and attractive habit for the summer months. This will also encourage fall rebloom.
Photo by: Michele Dorsey Walfred
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Butterfly bush, aptly named for its ability to attract a flurry of colorful winged visitors, is a treasured addition to any landscape. Its large cone-shaped flower panicles come in an array of colors that release a sweet honey scent, attracting butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and more. But without regular pruning, butterfly bushes can become sparse, and flowering can diminish, leaving next to nothing for pollinators. So keep pruning to keep the butterflies coming to your garden for years to come! We'll show you how to get started.
The best time to prune butterfly bush is in the spring, after the final frost but before new season growth emerges. Doing so removes any dead stems and shapes the shrub while encouraging vigorous growth for the season ahead. Some pruning can be done in the fall to tidy up the plant for spring, but it is only necessary if you live in a warmer climate (gardening zones 8 and 9).
While these terms may be used simultaneously, they are entirely different. Pruning is a technique that targets unproductive areas of the plant, like leggy, diseased, or dead growth. While deadheading is the process of removing any spent flowers during their peak growing season so that new buds can emerge. Both are beneficial to helping your butterfly bush thrive!
In order to properly prune your butterfly bush, you need to gather the correct tools to get the job done. First, you'll need a pair of bypass pruners to create clean angular cuts for small stems and shape the shrub. Next, you'll need bypass loopers to prune on large, woody stems with new growth emerging. Gardening gloves are optional.
Before you begin, it's also important to double-check your butterfly bush variety and assess how much pruning it needs: dwarf varieties like Buddleia Pugster® or Lo & Behold require little to no pruning due to their smaller habit.
To prune your butterfly bush, make an angled cut above where you see large leaf buds or new healthy growth is emerging. Since butterfly bush blooms on new wood, the bigger the bud you're cutting back to, the more vigorous growth you can expect! Next, prune out dead stems or leaves and shape the plant's habit. It may appear a little woody at first, but that's okay: bright flower panicles and vibrant foliage will soon fill up any bare stems.
A little worried about not seeing any flowering soon after pruning? Not to worry: butterfly bush is one of the last plants to bloom in summer and requires little more patience than other show-stopping shrubs. Learn more about late-blooming plants HERE.
After you've finished pruning, your butterfly bush will be extra thirsty. While this shrub is traditionally drought tolerant, it could use extra watering directly after maintenance. Do so deep and thoroughly when watering, and continue watering about one inch per week during the peak growing season. Then these beauties are good to grow!
Butterfly bush is truly a low-maintenance plant, but if you wish to tidy things up during the peak growing season, you can do so by regularly deadheading any spent flowers. This will remove any unsightly growth and encourage vibrant new flowers to appear more rapidly.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Important creatures like bees, birds, butterflies, and moths have formed intricate partnerships with plants to keep the ecosystem healthy. While there are many sun-loving pollinator plants, there is also an array of perennials with gorgeous blooms and sweet nectar for these critical species to enjoy in the part-shade or full shade (<4 hrs/day). Many online gardening resources list-full sun plants, but nectar from shade plants can still attract pollinators in troves and provide essential habitats to keep them thriving, with some pollinators like carpenter bees preferring shady areas to nest.
These plants can perform well in the shade due to their adaptability to environmental conditions, with some even thriving in both part sun (4-6 hrs/day) and full sun (6+ hrs/day). So if you're a shade gardener looking to welcome pollinators, consider adding these plants to your collection!
Create a burst of color in your shade garden with columbine! Hummingbirds and butterflies can't get enough of the drooping bell-shaped flowers with tubular nectar spurs, and neither can we! While this native perennial can do well in full sun, its extreme adaptability means it also can thrive in part shade environments with well-drained soil and medium moisture. As an added bonus, this old-fashioned favorite is easy to grow and extremely low-maintenance. So sit back, relax, and watch as pollinators begin their dance around your plants.
Create a host environment for pollinators with long-blooming shrubs like bush honeysuckle. Featuring trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer, this native plant takes center stage in the fall, when its leaves turn to an array of blazing orange, red and purple hues. The foliage rides turn upward, allowing hummingbird moths to host their larvae, and is a host plant for the Laurel Sphinx moth and the Snowberry Clearwing. While it can thrive in the shade, it will feature more flowers and grow more colorfully in areas with full sun. Regardless, the flower power is still strong enough to attract pollinators through the shade! Add bush honeysuckle to your landscape along a privacy hedge or intermixed with other pollinator plants.
The dropping petals and prominent center cones from Pale Purple coneflower are a sturdy base for butterflies like Painted Lady and Monarchs to stake a claim. Their purpose extends well past their blooms, with spent flowers giving rise to seed heads that birds love! While coneflowers are typically full sun plants, echinacea pallida is a native coneflower that always finds itself on the edge of meadows and forest lines so it's naturally suitable for part sun or part shade. They are also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, so you don't have to worry about disturbances to your pollinator garden. Create a whimsical cottage landscape, or add a pop of color to your shade garden; the possibilities are endless.
Form rich mats of gorgeous blue/purple flowers that the pollinators love with native woodland phlox! Taller than its family member creeping phlox, woodland phlox is about 12" tall x 16" wide and features fragrant early-blooming flowers that require part sun or shade. Its early blooming nature provides a vital food source for newly awakened and returning pollinators, helping them flourish throughout the season. Woodland phlox works excellently as a ground cover or as mass plantings in shaded areas under trees and shrubs. Plus, it's incredibly easy to care for.
Learn more about helping springtime pollinators in your garden below.
Abelia is a southern shrub that makes an excellent shade plant for the pollinators, especially bees! It brings the best of both worlds with vibrant foliage and stunning flower color. The bell shape of the flowers house heaps of nectar that butterflies and hummingbirds can't get enough of. Don't let its delicate panicles fool you; this shrub is tough: thriving in dry soil conditions after established and features flowers well into the off-season. Try planting along a shady hedge or in tough-to-grow spots; abelia won't let the pollinators down.
You can find abelia for your shade garden at Great Garden Plants! Shop below.
Not only can coral bells(Heuchera) tolerate the shade, they thrive in it! Coral bells feature striking and versatile foliage with flowers extending upwards that pollinators absolutely love. Large bells produce sweet nectar, and their sturdy leaves create a space for pollinators to gather. They require little maintenance besides regular watering during the peak season and can do well in containers. Add to a shady spot on your patio or beneath the trees, and watch as the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flutter around your garden.
You can find an array of coral bells for your shade garden at Great Garden Plants! Shop below.
The beautiful fluffy plumes from astilbe are an absolute magnet to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths! Its glossy, dark green foliage keeps interest in the shade garden all summer long, and the vibrant pink, purple, and white add a serious pop of color. Astilbe is also deer-resistant and easy to grow, making it an excellent carefree companion plant or underplanting under large shrubs. What's not to love? Try adding to a cut-flower arrangement; just be sure to leave some of the beauty for the pollinators to enjoy.
You can find an array of astilbe plants for your shade garden at Great Garden Plants! Shop below.
These aren't the only plants that will keep your garden buzzing! Barrenwort, rhododendron, toad lily, foamflower, chelone turtlehead, and hosta are more shade-tolerant plants that attract bees, butterflies, birds and more. Additionally, there are many traditional sun-loving plants like milkweed that can also tolerant part shade as long as soil and environmental conditions are right. It's important to consider your planting area and which plants will thrive when designing your pollinator garden.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Pollinator gardens are important because they provide food sources and habitats for pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds, caterpillars, and more - which are critical for maintaining the health and productivity of the ecosystem. Pollinators play a vital role in the reproductive process of many plants by transferring pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part, which enables the plants to produce fruits and seeds. With pollinators, many of the fruits, flowers, and vegetables we rely on would be available, and the diversity of plant species in ecosystems would be significantly improved. The purpose of a pollinator garden is to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for pollinators, which can help to support healthy populations of these important species. In addition to their ecological benefits, pollinator gardens can enhance the beauty of urban and suburban landscapes!
While it may seem daunting at first, adding a pollinator garden to your outdoor landscape doesn't have to be complicated! With some inspiration, research, and nectar-rich flowers, welcoming wildlife to your garden can be shockingly easy. Read on as we discuss seven tips for designing and implementing a pollinator garden.
Nearly 80% of the world's food and plants require pollination, solidifying the dire need for these critical species. Society must continue to learn more about pollinators and ways their habitat and food sources can be encouraged. This is where you come in! Before you plan your garden, consider doing more in-depth about native pollinators in your area, which one's you'll be supporting with your garden, and unique environmental struggles. To do so, try signing up for pollinator garden educational programs or get certified in pollinator stewardship.
Getting inspired and setting goals for your pollinator garden can be a fun and creative process that allows you to connect with nature and express your unique style! Maybe you want a whimsical cottage garden, or you're planning a monochrome color design; the possibilities are endless. Pinterest is one of our personal favorites, and you can even create and divide your inspiration 'pins' based on your unique garden layout or by which pollinator you're attracting. You can also get inspiration from industry blogs like GreatGardenPlants.com and Hydrangea.com.
After getting inspiration, begin setting some goals, like attracting specific species of butterflies or bees or creating a relaxing and peaceful outdoor space for yourself and your family; the more you understand the purpose of your garden, the easier it is to create an action plan. Get more inspiration for your garden on Butterflybush.com below, and click on our Pinterest to give us a follow!
Now that you've done your research, it's time to start planning. Planning your garden is essential in creating a beautiful and functional pollinator garden. We love using a sketchbook to draw out a rough garden layout! Decide where to place your plants, pathways, and other garden features. Consider the size and scale of your garden, and make sure your design is proportional. It's also important to keep in mind the levels of sunlight, water, and quality of the soil of your garden site while planning. Once you've finished your plan, you can begin to gather materials, make a list of plants, and schedule maintenance tasks.
Pollinators think outside the box, and you should too. Get creative with placing your plants! Consider incorporating elements of companion plants that feature vibrant color, interesting texture, and contrast to create visual interest and depth. Mix pollinator plants with different heights, textures, and shapes to add dimension and variety. Plan a pathway or plant in a window bed; before you know it, your multi-purpose flowers will attract pollinators and wow your neighbors.
When choosing pollinator plants for your garden, it's essential to consider several factors to ensure that you provide the best possible pollinator habitat. First, consider choosing native plants as they are non-invasive and have adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. This is always an excellent option for beginner gardeners! Second, select various plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season to provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen to keep your garden 'buzzing' year-round. Third, consider the shape and size of flowers, as different pollinators are attracted to different shapes and sizes of flowers. For example, hummingbirds prefer long, tubular flowers, while bees and butterflies are attracted to clusters of smaller flowers. And last but not least, get creative with vibrant and unique plants!
Author: Lindsey Griffith
It's that time of year again: when the bees and butterflies come out to play after months of hibernation! After emerging, these pollinators begin to visit flowers and other plants in search of food, distributing the pollen from flower to flower, aiding in the plant pollination and reproduction process. This process is critical to the ecosystem, with over 35% of the world's crops depending on pollinators to reproduce.
Popular pollinators include butterflies, honeybees, moths, birds, and other small mammals. However, some evidence suggests that these crop-boosting species could be in trouble, with their habitat under increasing stress from deforestation, pollution, and chemical misuse. The good news is that you hold power to create a gardening environment where pollinators can thrive! Here, we'll discuss different ways you can help create an ideal habitat for springtime pollinators in your garden.
It’s vital for pollinators to feed early spring after months of hibernation to ensure their survival. One of the easiest ways to support a pollinator-friendly habitat during this time period is to opt for nectar-rich spring-blooming perennials in your garden. Not only are these flowers and bushes completely gorgeous, but they also produce a substantial amount of nectar and pollen during a crucial point in their lifecycle. Consider planting these spring-blooming pollinator magnets in your garden. Salvia, columbine, and bee balm are loved by our team of horticultural experts, and by butterflies too!
We understand how eager you might be to begin spring cleanup; but you should consider holding off on your garden area a just a little while longer! When you remove gardening materials or prune too early in the spring season, you risk disrupting or potentially destroying eggs or pollinators who may not have left hibernation yet. This is especially prevalent in areas with a slow spring season start.
Instead, consider waiting until temperatures reach 50 degrees consistently before cleaning your spring garden to keep pollinator homes safe. You can also opt to gently compile all debris in piles in your garden, this way it will make for easy cleanup when the time comes, that way your pollinator homes still stay in tact.
Learn about other reasons as to why you should procrastinate your spring garden cleanup.
One of the ways you can hold off on your spring garden maintenance is to avoid mowing your lawn. No Mow May, introduced by the UK wild plant conservation charity Plantlife, encourages people to take a break from mowing for 30 days in late spring. Studies have shown that mowing less frequently promotes pollinator-friendly food like weeds, clovers, dandelions, and more native plants to grow more robust. And for pollinators, starting off on the right foot (or should we say, 'wing',) is extremely important for a long and fruitful life.
Many garden pesticides and insecticides can be detrimental to pollinators. When butterflies and other insects get infected by an insecticide they can carry it back to their colony, potentially destroying it. While it may be unavoidable, there are still ways you can apply pesticides in a way that is less harmful to your garden pollinators.
#1. Apply pesticides and insecticides at night during the pollinators non-active hours.
#2. Avoid aerial applications as this increases risk of pesticide risks or drifts from the wind.
#3. Do your research, and opt for less toxic pesticides.
Support your pollinators from early spring well into the end of summer with Native Plants. This can be a great addition to any garden, and reduce environmental impact by ensuring you aren't planting any invasive species. Since pollinators have evolved over time with native plants in a specified area, they've developed a mutually beneficial relationship.
Native plants NEED pollinators to continue evolving, while pollinators NEED native plants to feed. These native shrubs work well accompanying spring blooming perennials to create a whole ecosystem perfect for our biodiverse friends. Not to mention, native plants are already adapt to your local climate and environmental conditions, meaning they are low maintenance and great for beginners who want to create a pollinator-friendly garden.
Shop our collection of native plants from Butterfly Bushes:
In conclusion, there are many low-maintenance ways to create a pollinator-friendly garden and increase local biodiversity. These species are essential for all flowering plants, and springtime is one of the most vital times for their survival. Discover more ways you can support pollinators and native wildlife on our other blogs:
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Don't start your spring cleaning too early! If you're anything like me, you're probably looking for reasons to procrastinate cleaning. Well, look no further, because there is one important reason you should wait.
Do you ever wonder where pollinators go in the winter? They're most likely still in your garden! Many bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects hide through the winter in dead plants. Some pollinators overwinter as larvae, while others are brave enough to overwinter as adults. The caterpillars of moths and butterflies roll themselves in dead leaves or burrow inside of branches. Adults typically find somewhere dry and safe (usually around plant debris) to ride out the winter, and then emerge once warmer spring temperatures arrive.
Butterflies, moths, and caterpillars survive the cold temperatures by entering diapause, a hibernation-like state. Their bodies create an excess of glycerol, which serves a similar purpose as antifreeze. This allows them to tough out cold temperatures, and even a little snow! The air temperature, time since last freeze, and daylight length all contribute to when they wake up from their slumber.
While we may be ready to enjoy the new season and warmer temperatures in the garden, not all the pollinators are ready. Trimming and removing dead stems and leaves too early in spring can disturb your snoozing pollinators. Here in Michigan, it's still too soon to remove debris. We even discovered a chrysalis on an Itea branch outside our office just this week.
Wait to remove any plant litter from your garden until daily temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees. However, if you want to get a head start, you can still trim your plants and store debris in piles in your garden. Protect this year's butterflies, moths, and other pollinators by giving them extra time to hit snooze. They'll reward you throughout the season by continuing the lifecycle of your flowers.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Ensuring your garden is functional is just as important as making it beautiful, which is why we emphasize pollinator-friendly plants! Plants rely on pollinators to continue their life cycle, spreading their pollen from plant to plant. Support your local ecosystem by keeping pollinators in mind as you plan your garden. With all the hard work they do, they deserve a feast, and these hydrangeas could be their sweet dessert.
Hydrangeas may not be one of the first plants that come to mind as you plan a pollinator garden. That's because not all of them are very pollinator friendly! Hydrangea flowers are actually made of two different types of florets: fertile and sterile florets. Sterile florets are all about looks. They're big, colorful, and designed to catch the eye of pollinators. On the other hand, fertile florets are smaller, non-showy, but loaded with pollen and nectar.
Mophead hydrangeas are packed full of sterile florets, hiding the fertile florets from pollinators. These are less pollinator-friendly compared to lacecap hydrangeas, which have their fertile florets exposed for easy access. So, when choosing hydrangeas for your pollinator garden, pick lacecap hydrangeas!
Here are our favorite lacecap panicle hydrangeas that are sure to be all the buzz in your garden:
Hydrangea paniculata Little Quick Fire® - Panicle Hydrangea
Take everything you love about Quick Fire®, and then make it compact! That's what you'll get with Little Quick Fire®. It's dwarf habit lends itself well to containers and smaller spaces.
Plant hydrangeas alongside butterfly bushes for an unforgettable summer display! You'll be astounded by the number of flowers, and pollinators, they both bring to the garden.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Spring brings so much excitement to the garden, but also some worries! You may be noticing newly emerging leaves and flower buds on some of your favorite plants. However, even though it's warm and sunny, a few plants may still be acting like it's winter. You may be wondering, "did my plant survive the winter?"
Don't jump to any conclusions yet. Your plants might still be fine! Perennials and shrubs enter "dormancy" in the winter to conserve energy, which is basically one long nap. Some plants are still sleepyheads when spring rolls around, and are slower to leaf out in the garden.
Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is notorious for hitting the snooze button. So, we aren't surprised when we are frequently asked, "is my butterfly bush dead?" We know it's hard to be patient with all the excitement of spring, but that's exactly what butterfly bushes need. Give them a few extra weeks in the spring to push out new growth. In cold climates, you may have to wait until June!
Don't worry; they will reward your patience with incredible blooms that persist through the summer. Butterfly bushes aren't the only plants that are slow to wake up. Here are some other plants that appreciate some extra time to get going in spring:
Plants still not waking up in early summer? Ok, your plant might actually be dead. If you still don't see any emerging leaves, check for buds! While some viable buds are a good sign, the best way to know is by looking at the stems. Alive stems are firm, yet still pliable. When you cut or scrape them, there will be a green cast on the inside. If the stems are dry and brittle, they are likely dead and should be removed. Finding a few dead branches doesn't mean it's the end! Be thorough when checking all the stems before declaring your plant dead.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
What is citizen science? It's an opportunity for the public to learn more about science and make an impact in the scientific community in the process! Scientists need your help to collect, analyze, and report data on a whole range of topics. There is a plethora of projects to help with, and the best part is that you can choose whatever you like!
As gardeners (and pollinator enthusiasts), the easiest way to participate in Citizen Science Month is by collecting data in your own garden. The Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project is an effort to collect data on the Lepidoptera from Panama to Canada. It serves as a database for scientists to form or address research questions on Lepidoptera. This is a collaborative effort that heavily relies on citizen scientists for its success! Anyone can participate by submitting photographs of butterflies and moths, along with locations and any additional observations.
The process is incredibly easy. All you have to do is register for an account, submit a sighting, and wait for them to verify your findings! Once it's verified, they'll display your photographs and data in their image galleries. You can also volunteer to edit photographs or verify other users' images and information for extra support.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Consider using iNaturalist, an app that helps you record nature at your fingertip. Use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to record any organism sighting, from a common backyard flower to a rare insect and everything in between. iNaturalist uses this data to contribute to biodiversity science and shares your findings with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Join one of their hundreds of active projects, or create your own!
Here is a list of citizen science projects that I can't wait to join myself:
April may be Citizen Science Month, but scientists need your help all year long. Continue to help scientists by submitting simple observations all season. You'll be surprised with how much you learn along the way!
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Though it may come as a surprise to the people who struggle to grow it at all, there are places where butterfly bush is invasive - so much so that Washington State and Oregon have both banned it from being sold or planted there. In response to this, plant breeders like Dr. Dennis Werner of NCSU have devoted their talents to developing non-invasive varieties that have the color, long-blooming, and butterfly-attracting ability of conventional butterfly bush but without the risk of spreading into the wild.
To qualify as a non-invasive variety, a butterfly bush must show less than 2% germination and derive from what's known as a wide cross. This means that the plant breeder takes two distinct species of Buddleia, only one of which may be the standard B. davidii, and makes a cross. This typically results in the offspring producing few to no seeds; it may also mean that the pollen is not viable from a plant fertility standpoint, so it also minimizes the risk of the non-invasive variety accidentally increasing seed set on any plants that have escaped to the wild.
If you are looking for non-invasive butterfly bushes, these are the varieties that currently qualify, and are approved for sale in Oregon and Washington (albeit under the name "summer lilac" to distinguish them from butterfly bushes).
* The varieties Lo & Behold Ruby Chip and 'Miss Pearl' qualify as non-invasive but are still awaiting their "official" designation.
If you're planting to attract butterflies, remember that they need more than just butterfly bushes to truly feel at home! They also need a diversity of flowers to feed on, and host plants where they can lay eggs and allow their young to prosper. View our selection of native and host plants for more ideas.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
When planning a pollinator garden, it's easy to get caught up with all the colorful, fragrant blooms. The flowers provide a rich source of pollen and nectar, which are important for your local bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. However, the best pollinator gardens don't only have flowers. They incorporate host plants - plants that a pollinator lays eggs, eats, and lives on. Flowers are great for inviting pollinators to visit, but host plants are how you get them to stay!
We offer a wide variety of plants that serve as host plants for in our collection, Plants for Caterpillars. By planting a few of them in your garden, you'll get front row seats to watch the butterfly life-cycle unfold. These plants will get eaten by caterpillars, but don't worry, that's exactly what we want. Embrace the holes you find in your foliage! That's how you know you're helping your pollinators.
Viburnum All That Glows® - Arrowwood Viburnum
Its leaves serve as a food source for the larvae of hummingbird moths (aka clearwing moths) and spring azure butterflies, while its flowers attract red admiral and question mark butterflies!
Host plants are vital for the pollinator life cycle. It's where female insects lay their eggs, where larvae hatch and feed, and the place they call home. Many species of butterflies only have one host plant, and without it, they can't complete their life cycle. Depletion of host plants can be dangerous, causing a huge drop in the population.
The Atala butterfly (pictured here) serves as a reminder for how important host plants can be! This incredible butterfly was thought to be extinct, caused by overharvesting their host plant, the Coontie Cycad. However, thanks to gardeners planting their host plant in their home gardens, local colonies of Atala butterflies can be found in Southern Florida once again.
Milkweed is another host plant, which is vital for the Monarch butterfly lifecycle. Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on their leaves, which are filled with cardenolides. Cardenolides are stored in the bodies of Monarch caterpillars and butterflies as a defense against predators. Without Milkweed, we wouldn't have Monarchs!
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
When I think of pollinator-friendly plants, my mind immediately jumps to the classics like butterfly bush (Buddleia), milkweed (Asclepias), or bee balm (Monarda). However, there are so many more pollinator-friendly plants waiting to be added to your garden, like our newest addition, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus).
If you think of a flower as a billboard for pollinators, then Rose of Sharon is like a giant flashing neon sign. Vibrantly-colored petals with hues of pink, purple, and blue form a massive flower with a prominent staminal column. It's hard for pollinators (and gardeners) to miss! A deep raspberry-colored eye in the center of the flower guides pollinators to its nectar reserves for a sweet, nutritious feast.
In order to ensure efficient pollination, a large staminal column (tube covered in stamens) rubs against the pollinators as they reach for nectar. The result? Pollinators, especially bees, are bathed in pollen!
Don't worry, the pollinators don't seem to mind. You'll see them happily buzzing around to more flowers.
Growing plants in containers is an easy way to expand your garden, especially if you're running out of space. Containers are ideal for growing fussy plants, showcasing your favorite blooms, and mixing and matching. Plus, it's the best way to invite pollinators to your patio, porch, or deck! It's essential to select the right plants for your pots. Not all plants are the happiest in containers!
We are commonly asked "Can butterfly bush grow in pots?" Thankfully, the answer is yes! We even offer dwarf varieties, like the Pugster® and Lo & Behold® series, which are the perfect size for containers. Try planting this pollinator-favorite in containers to give the butterflies an extra treat in your garden. Here are some of our best tips for growing butterfly bush in containers.
Choosing the right size pot for your butterfly bush is important for a few reasons! If you choose a pot that is too small, the soil will dry out quickly and the roots will become pot-bound. Pots that are too large stay wet for too long, causing root rot. We suggest planting your one quart size plant in a pot that is 8-9 inches in diameter. As the plant grows, increase the pot size by 2-4 inches. Trust us, you and the plant will be much happier increasing the pot size as it grows instead of putting it in a large pot right away!
Butterfly bush grows best in well-draining soils, whether it is in a garden bed or container! Ensure your pots have large drainage holes in the bottom. Avoid using gravel, rocks, or sand at the bottom of the pot to improve drainage; it's a myth! All you need is lightweight commercial potting soil.
Buddleia loves to bask in the sun, so make sure you put your pot in a spot with full sun (more than 6 hours sun a day). If your plant isn't receiving enough sun, you can expect fewer flowers and sparse foliage. If you notice it isn't getting enough light, don't worry; containers are easy to move!
Have any questions? Let us know in the comments! Remember to check out our whole selection of butterfly bushes, here.
Yes, there really is such a thing a hummingbird moth. Members of the scientific genus Hemaris, they are big, furry moths belong to a class known as clearwing moths...
]]>Yes, there really is such a thing a hummingbird moth. Members of the scientific genus Hemaris, they are big, furry moths belong to a class known as clearwing moths, as unlike other moths and butterflies, their wings have clear, window-like panes instead of scales. The robust, colorful bodies are flocked with thick hair, which, combined with their size and speed, makes many people mistake them for hummingbirds. These beautiful, fascinating creatures are actually quite common in the summer, and they love to feed on butterfly bushes, along with a wide variety of flowering annuals, perennials, and shrubs.
Their life cycles is a bit different than other butterflies and hummingbirds: they spend their larval stage as a smooth, thick, hairless caterpillar, and then spend their pupal stage in reddish-brown cases in the soil or leaf litter below the plant they were feeding on. Then the moth emerges, dries its wings, and goes off in search of a meal of sweet nectar.
There are two species of hummingbird moths that are found in eastern North America: the snowberry clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, and the hummingbird clearwing, Hemaris thysbe. Attracting them to your garden is easy: plant plenty of flowers to feed the adults, as well as the preferred food sources for the caterpillars, diervilla and coralberry.
If you have questions, let us know! Comment your questions below or reach out through our contact us page. We have a team of horticulturalists who are here to help!
Butterfly bushes have become a bit controversial lately, and maybe you've heard or read something saying that you shouldn't plant butterfly bushes, or that they're bad for butterflies. Of course, if you've grown butterfly bushes before, you know that they attract tons of them, so how can this be?
What this argument is trying to get at is that just as people can't live by "bread alone," butterflies cannot live by butterfly bushes alone. These plants only satisfy their need for nectar, and do not provide a vital food source for butterfly larvae (caterpillars), so they don't sustain butterflies through their entire life cycle. In short, planting butterfly bushes should be just one part of your strategy for making your yard and garden more hospitable to butterflies. As you think about which shrubs and perennials you want to plant, be sure that your list includes plants that:
Though ButterflyBushes.com is our name, and we do love them, we know that they are just one tiny part of making the world a better place for butterflies and pollinators. That's why we offer a wide selection of other shrubs, perennials, and annuals, including native species.
Once upon a time, people gardened mostly for themselves - because they liked the colors, and the flowers, and because landscaping makes a house look nice. In the last several years, however, people are increasingly finding other reasons to garden, and other rewards from planting. Butterfly gardens are the perfect example, but a becoming a gardener who gardens for butterflies may take some shifts in the way that you think about what a garden should look like. These five truths about butterfly gardening may surprise you - but trust us, they are part of the fun of the voyage of discovery!