tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64077057388588287642024-03-05T13:33:57.166-05:00BeautifulNativePlantsSue Reed Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604026887270135218noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-28809258328843245202023-12-21T23:23:00.006-05:002023-12-22T15:38:25.526-05:00Beautiful Native Plants in 2023<p>On this shortest day of the year, we take time to look back on one of the bright notes - our native plants were quietly at work every single day of 2023 adding beauty and value to the world we live in. They were feeding the pollinators and the birds. Feeding the mammals, the fish, and reptiles, those that eat plants and those that eat the creatures that feed on plants. Giving them all shelter. Giving us food, too, and oxygen to breathe. Removing carbon dioxide from the air, stopping erosion, and improving the soil. Providing sources of medicine and inspiring inventions through biomimicry. They also looked great in our gardens and brought visitors we enjoyed.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgg4mDXFA-eI8LYKezO1CalvR2h3XzVMVy-CfCYmEop68kMgMiwG52vGsQl8U2d5pk9Ly4NkcJxvi-Yuuh7s60fchDh0JWwEb-c8MGVqNGXqLXuE-1fHQZIOiS8RkP55W0XIdHppdhofzyULM-kM9PJv2_7LrlAUckDzEoCGDk2m9ksEG1ELYLAyi0Ew/s1024/veined%20Ctenucha%20moth%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1024" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgg4mDXFA-eI8LYKezO1CalvR2h3XzVMVy-CfCYmEop68kMgMiwG52vGsQl8U2d5pk9Ly4NkcJxvi-Yuuh7s60fchDh0JWwEb-c8MGVqNGXqLXuE-1fHQZIOiS8RkP55W0XIdHppdhofzyULM-kM9PJv2_7LrlAUckDzEoCGDk2m9ksEG1ELYLAyi0Ew/s320/veined%20Ctenucha%20moth%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veined Ctenucha moth, Ctenucha venosa,<br />feeding on native chokecherry,<i> Prunus virginiana<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Providing food for insects is perhaps one of the most important things native plants do. E.O. Wilson said: </p><p></p><blockquote>"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."</blockquote><p>As they co-evolved with the living beings around them, native plants developed specific characteristics that enabled them to thrive. Native bees are important contributors to local ecosystems, pollinating native plants in the exact places and times when they are blooming.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SKWlU-c4GH54adVXjYK52-T8rI5IRWaIGPApX91ZYbLYH-7NG7wTYRuiiCL7CeKET6HY9mxTmpwoLGCsHhv3CcRmMg9IBPbMxKpmynmLI4OkKiSh89DvpdmUgSNMQxKbbAQFuBGzGxCeE-JDDj9s55unJfm8LuwtiYh8U17LIMXTgzgatRl9aTdXZZA/s1024/Frigid%20bumbel%20bee.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1024" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SKWlU-c4GH54adVXjYK52-T8rI5IRWaIGPApX91ZYbLYH-7NG7wTYRuiiCL7CeKET6HY9mxTmpwoLGCsHhv3CcRmMg9IBPbMxKpmynmLI4OkKiSh89DvpdmUgSNMQxKbbAQFuBGzGxCeE-JDDj9s55unJfm8LuwtiYh8U17LIMXTgzgatRl9aTdXZZA/w386-h306/Frigid%20bumbel%20bee.jpeg" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frigid bee, Bombus frigida, feeding on Wholeleaf paintbrush,<br /><i>Castillija integra.<br /></i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Another important timing event associated with the presence of the plants that feed the insects is that many birds require insects to raise their fledglings. Seeds provide food for birds in winter, but in the spring, many birds must utilize insects to successfully raise the next generation. Those insects, appearing when the native plants they need to eat are also appearing, have had to overcome all of each plant’s natural compounds meant to discourage predators. Just like us, they can’t eat everything that grows!</p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHMq327KEYu7f2bQbW4BZLXv2P3zJ1-9KTXpgSfwRx9XMArAXsnLXAmi8yUusdBpfXWKOYniwgFJrKf_TLAr5HWel8k36Hr_5m9kpwaprBIxe5tbLVBFDzxQ-qsPMWhy4i2plaKCoYOER3ODFEW8f_qzo-zSDPzA0gE0kOY7Wqxs1Gtqo4uYNrk8Gf7c/s819/red%20breased%20nuthatch%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="819" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHMq327KEYu7f2bQbW4BZLXv2P3zJ1-9KTXpgSfwRx9XMArAXsnLXAmi8yUusdBpfXWKOYniwgFJrKf_TLAr5HWel8k36Hr_5m9kpwaprBIxe5tbLVBFDzxQ-qsPMWhy4i2plaKCoYOER3ODFEW8f_qzo-zSDPzA0gE0kOY7Wqxs1Gtqo4uYNrk8Gf7c/w377-h345/red%20breased%20nuthatch%20(1).jpeg" width="377" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This red-breasted nuthatch, <i>Sitta canadensis, </i>depends on <br />seeds for food in winter and chooses old growth conifer forests<br />to shelter and nest in. <br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Did you know that native plants are constantly contributing to advances in medicine and science? Indigenous peoples knew centuries ago about the healing properties in the Salix, or willow, family. From that knowledge came one of our most commonly used remedies, aspirin. A device in widespread use today, velcro, was invented directly from a hiker’s experience with removing burrs from his dog’s coat. Read more about biomimicry here: <a href="https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/blog/best-biomimicry-examples">https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/blog/best-biomimicry-examples</a></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_9rShAyqHDXpgyNgc0tUFCaKEnbfJu4eChDHhMCjT6Z4yk9ilmJiKQ16P3x7SwwpX1c4W3x1z_U5gi6tMeVzLA-Ms07hXq6qAbraggfhhCpYOb4UkPRdiWHbLgyrC6ew-ZM_cvM_ah0stqq4QERytfPATx5xMIwvEj5Trg8X4VFME-9XBPRDJ9bh8ek/s774/WILD%20LICORICE%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="774" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_9rShAyqHDXpgyNgc0tUFCaKEnbfJu4eChDHhMCjT6Z4yk9ilmJiKQ16P3x7SwwpX1c4W3x1z_U5gi6tMeVzLA-Ms07hXq6qAbraggfhhCpYOb4UkPRdiWHbLgyrC6ew-ZM_cvM_ah0stqq4QERytfPATx5xMIwvEj5Trg8X4VFME-9XBPRDJ9bh8ek/w363-h262/WILD%20LICORICE%20(1).jpeg" width="363" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hooks used by plants like this Wild licorice,<i> Glycyrrhiza lepidota,</i> to attach<br /> and move their seeds by hitch hiking on animal fur were the inspiration<br />for the invention of velcro. <br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Native grasses are a fascinating group of plants and are vital sources of food for many mammals, birds, insects. They also have an important role as shelter - birds, insects, and small mammals hide in grass from predators, use grasses for nesting, and often the chrysalis of a butterfly can be found hanging from a grass leaf. Beneficial, too, in our gardens, for connecting design elements and acting as backdrop for colorful flowers. One native grass, Little bluestem, <i>Schizachyrium scoparium, </i>is common in all but three of our states and not only valuable to a multitude of wildlife species, but also a wonderful addition to a garden. Read more about Little bluestem here: <a href="https://conps.org/big-and-little-bluestems-not-so-blue-in-fall/">https://conps.org/big-and-little-bluestems-not-so-blue-in-fall/</a>
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbrAW65x-djDIRYap7kaL5RsXtPb7rPVK58TGOra9GlctZwIpKnNVuWcf2ZUwvGR4a7FQe9UrOiFNyMYucac5Dx83IeaiwUqNA5QRjgP6FUU8m7LSqSPQhyMD2wGS8e_3vSfu0ThyphenhyphenPQ6gwAYmGPoktYo-J0zEggW59Qg1ky3sSKeNjMHPrFplQ3iBr90/s1280/new%20mexico%20feathergrass.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1280" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbrAW65x-djDIRYap7kaL5RsXtPb7rPVK58TGOra9GlctZwIpKnNVuWcf2ZUwvGR4a7FQe9UrOiFNyMYucac5Dx83IeaiwUqNA5QRjgP6FUU8m7LSqSPQhyMD2wGS8e_3vSfu0ThyphenhyphenPQ6gwAYmGPoktYo-J0zEggW59Qg1ky3sSKeNjMHPrFplQ3iBr90/s320/new%20mexico%20feathergrass.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This New Mexico feathergrass, <i>Hesperostipa meomexicana</i>,<br />is native in the western parts of the country. Grass seedheads<br />can provide excellent textural accents in a garden in addition<br />to the benefits they bring for wildlife. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Last, but by no means least, native plants are beautiful. The artist within us all appreciates their astounding variety of colors and forms. Our gardens and civic landscapes become places of delight and refreshment in addition to being valuable for all the reasons above. As we now turn toward the new year, we have choices to make. How can we best contribute to a sustainable future? E.O. Wilson had this to say:</p>
<blockquote><p>"There can be no purpose more enspiriting than to begin the age of restoration, reweaving the wondrous diversity of life that still surrounds us."</p></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFPw46H7AJH0DMWabsMtq5-YdKOvrRcfmVxD5gZwqWVw7AUydlBtDFErW37A1XWK3mzaCHLDLBrFIQ2wsqagQBWtDC4qtsHUHTBLsXCbd_Ezi5JUaIvShbvHwN635r89slcldgoyJd1jq6D0QBUNg2XcQ_Ydd_UyUKQ8hxbd67LSSeqQaUfm1w5kjuJc/s1280/dark%20throated%20shooting%20star.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1280" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFPw46H7AJH0DMWabsMtq5-YdKOvrRcfmVxD5gZwqWVw7AUydlBtDFErW37A1XWK3mzaCHLDLBrFIQ2wsqagQBWtDC4qtsHUHTBLsXCbd_Ezi5JUaIvShbvHwN635r89slcldgoyJd1jq6D0QBUNg2XcQ_Ydd_UyUKQ8hxbd67LSSeqQaUfm1w5kjuJc/s320/dark%20throated%20shooting%20star.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native plants are beautiful! Dark-throated shooting star, <br /><i>Primula pauciflora</i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Sue Dingwell</p>
<p>Colorado, Virginia, and Florida Native Plant Societies</p>
<p>Master Gardener</p>
<p>Master Naturalist</p>
<p> <br /></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-69757974731077741282020-03-17T22:40:00.003-04:002023-12-22T08:53:30.274-05:00Toothwort - Is That for Dinner?<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">You may have noticed a certain kind of frenzy that descends on folks in the early spring, a frenzy for wildflowers. And plant people are not the only ones affected, either. People who otherwise never set foot outside of cemented Metro areas make plans to get out of town. The call of bluebells, merrybells, trilliums, and trout lilies is a clarion call that draws whole families to embark on a flower treasure-hunt out in the distant woods and valleys where nature still has the freedom to show her own exuberance for the season.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Ephemerals they are called. These are flowers that emerge and sparkle brightly but briefly, and are gone practically in the blink of an eye. Even their leaves melt away, leaving no trace of their existence by the time the heat of summer arrives. One such ephemeral, native to every state east of the Rocky Mountains, is <i>Cardamine concatenata, </i>aka cut-leaf toothwort. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9mGcdpCm6YH1VPf5sonohihl7aSNH2V2nGo5YTby4NDB45e2cdajtShFHHPRZjCRlQTdXVwfIzgxfADubJl8dIfC9-p2HqS2b-NBdnW3Lc4SUEXqGb-b21ebJ2Gb0lcjUAYxxb__cFp9/s1600/L1090714-imp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9mGcdpCm6YH1VPf5sonohihl7aSNH2V2nGo5YTby4NDB45e2cdajtShFHHPRZjCRlQTdXVwfIzgxfADubJl8dIfC9-p2HqS2b-NBdnW3Lc4SUEXqGb-b21ebJ2Gb0lcjUAYxxb__cFp9/s640/L1090714-imp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 11.2px;">Cut-leaf toothwort, Cardamine concatenata<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Sounds like something you’d see coming down a dark alley with a grimace and sword, doesn’t it? You would never know from the name that it’s a dainty little thing with bell-shaped blooms, and delicate, deeply serrated leaves.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">It turn out that the word 'wort' comes from the old English ‘wyrt,’ meaning herb or plant. When wort appears at the end of a plant’s name, it means that the plant was probably once used as some kind of healing remedy.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">In times past, folks relied on what a plant looked like to determine what part of the body it might heal. This practice is known as the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_signatures" target="_blank"><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #009eb8;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;"> </span></span></a><a href="https://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/doctrine-signatures" target="_blank"><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #009eb8;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">Doctrine of Signatures</span></span>. </a>In the case of cut-leaf toothwort, the fleshy underground tuber from which the plant grows is covered with lumpy projections that resemble teeth. Thus, it was thought to be a cure for toothache. Whether it was effective or not, we do not know, but there is no medical evidence to support its efficacy.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">The tubers were also used for food; slightly peppery in taste, they can be consumed raw or steamed; said to be good in salads. That is, if you grow them in your own garden, <b>because it is illegal to harvest from public places.</b> It must have taken a heck of an effort to get enough for eating, they are tiny plants, only about 6 inches high.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">One thing there is no doubt about is that the toothwort is very useful to a high number of insects who <a href="https://edgeofthewoodsnursery.com/the-ecological-role-of-spring-ephemerals" target="_blank"><span face=""helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #009eb8;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: color;">emerge early and are looking for foo</span></span>d.</a> Toothwort flowers stay semi-folded until sunlight stimulates them to open more fully, and even hold themselves more erect, which advertises their availability during a warmer time, when insects are most likely to be actively seeking nectar. Long and short-tongued bees visit toothwort, and the short-tongues also collect its pollen. Toothwort is a larval host for several of the<i> Pieris</i> butterflies. Once upon a time it was a minor food source for the now-extinct Passenger pigeon.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Toothwort bears a number of other amusing common names, including crinkleroot; crow’s foot; crow toes; cut-leaf; lady’s smocks; milkmaids; pepper root; pepperwort; purple-leaved crinkleroot; toothache root; and wild radish. Another native plant that you might pass by without noticing, yet beautiful to behold, an important player in its habitat, and worthy of our observation and our conservation. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"> "What's in a name?" asked Juliet. Quite a bit it would seem!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">Cut-leaf toothwort, an ephemeral native wildflower, found in </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">deciduous mesic woodlands, floodplain woodlands, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">wooded bluffs, and upland savannas. One of the natives </span></div>
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particularly averse to Alliaria petiolata, garlic mustard, which<br />
will cause severe population decline. Food for early pollinators,</div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Sue Dingwell</span>Sue Dingwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02525535736523273259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-86975546622584529772020-03-06T23:07:00.002-05:002020-03-07T00:02:42.439-05:00Native Plant People, It's Up to Us Now<div class="p1" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A recent Landscaping with Native Plants conference in Colorado offered a sold-out audience a wide range of topics, but one resounding theme was echoed by every single speaker - it’s up to us now. The need for conservation is critical, the time is now, and we must, all of us, take on the responsibility for thoughtful planting that will slow the loss of species and shore up the functionality of our own local ecosystems.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Keynote speaker, Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society delivered a powerful talk, ‘Insect Apocalypse? What Is Really Happening; Why it Matters, and How We All Can Help.’ He began by describing the loss of insects worldwide, and emphasized that even if the word ‘apocalypse’ might not yet be applicable, the trends of decline in insect abundance and diversity are distinctly and quantifiably alarming.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> Native bees like this one are important to maintaining the fabric of the planet.<br />Insects are undergoing severe declines in abundance and diversity <br />on every continent except Antartica.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">We need more research, yes, Scott said, but we cannot be paralyzed by lack of information. Even if we don’t know everything, because many insects have not yet been assessed, we do know that the decline of what we have measured is severe, and that there are NO studies that do not show decline. We know enough to know we must take action.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And why should we care? Because insects pollinate at least 75% of flowering plants, this translates to </span>one in three mouthfuls of the food on our dinner plates. Attempting to further illustrate the major role of insects in our web of life on earth, Scott asked, “Do you like salmon? Aquatic insects are the first food of the salmon hatchlings. Do you like grizzly bears? They eat the salmon, and berries, which rely on pollination . . . " The list could go on and on, of course. For a short but complete and scientific summary from the Wiley online library, put this in your file: '<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118945568.ch2" target="_blank">The importance of Insects</a>,' or for a more expanded explanation from E. O. Wilson, <a href="https://faculty.washington.edu/timbillo/Readings%20and%20documents/ABRIDGED%20READINGS%20for%20PERU/Wilson_1987_Little_things_that_run.pdf" target="_blank">'The Little Things That Run the World.'<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">The two biggest problems: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;">Habitat loss is the primary problem, we’ve taken away too much of insect’s native habitat. And the landscapes that remain are often of degraded quality - we mow too much, we graze too much, we allow the spread of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;">non-native, invasive species, leaving spaces not conducive to the life cycles of insects we need.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And pesticides. We use more pesticides now than we ever have before, and they are more powerful. Perhaps this is not the place to enumerate the hazards of pesticides, suffice it to say that the hazard list is also growing exponentially. With droll humor Scott declared that he had no sympathy for either the perfect lawn or the perfect rose. It is vital that we get off the poison train and onto the high quality habitat.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Remedies? This slide sums up the answer to our problems of habitat loss and degradation. Native plants ARE the fabric that holds the planet together.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Society must take steps at all levels to protect, restore, and enhance native plant habitat.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">“So what do we do to encourage robust populations of diverse native insects? We need high-quality, climate-resilient habitat across the landscape. Government agencies, farmers, managers of natural areas, homeowners, and businesses all can protect and restore habitat, reduce the harm of pesticides on non-target insects, and undertake actions to help slow climate change.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The conclusion of the talk focused like a laser beam on the<b> need for individual action. </b>You could absolutely feel the audience levitating in unison when Scott said, <b>“Native plant people need to be there and hand hold.” </b>We must, while refraining from, ahem, bludgeoning them with our ideas, get people excited about native plants. We need to educate and implement:</span></div>
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<li class="li8" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Show people that native plants are also BEAUTIFUL</span></li>
<li class="li8" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Encourage them to start small, just start</span></li>
<li class="li8" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Work to make natives more available</span></li>
<li class="li8" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Talk to HOAs and community leaders</span></li>
<li class="li8" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Use the tried and true gateways: You love birds? butterflies? pollinators?<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>fishing? Oh, you need beautiful native plants!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></li>
<li class="li8" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Natural areas are glue that holds it all together - protect them!</span></li>
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No problem!<br />
Boulder raspberry, Rubus deliciosus. </td></tr>
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Through his extensive experience Scott has come to realize there are lots of people out there who want to help, and we just haven’t tapped them yet. He encouraged everyone to get out and talk to people, and to get quality habitat going on any available patch of ground, no matter how small.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Another reminder from Scott came from his observation of the scientists and staff at Xerces who got out in the field to collect data. Inevitably, he said, when they get out there and begin to make discoveries, they fall even more deeply in love. </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Isn’t this a potent reminder that we need to be leading our friends, our neighbors, and especially, leading our children, ‘out there,’ wherever they are, city, suburbia, or country, so they can discover for themselves the fascination and beauty of our complex and interdependent world?</span><br />
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In a city? Here’s just one of the many guides available for you: <a href="https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2018/learning-about-nature-cities" target="_blank">Learn About Nature in Cities</a><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.xerces.org/" target="_blank">The Xerces Society</a>, named for the first known butterfly to become extinct, by the way, the Xerces blue, maintains an extensive website, a science-based, current source of reliable information on plants, pollinators and all invertebrates, land and aquatic.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You can find regional planting guides, trainings, book recommendations, planning tools, archives of articles, business partnership opportunities, and much more.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Native Plant People, (NPP). It’s up to us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Let's get out there and hold some hands.</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Sue Dingwell<br />Thanks to the <a href="https://conps.org/" target="_blank">Colorado Native Plant Society </a><br />for spearheading sponsorship of this conference!</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulNativePlants/" target="_blank">Comments or questions?Find us on Facebook</a></span></span></div>
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Sue Dingwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02525535736523273259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-7147880100649601052020-02-22T02:45:00.000-05:002020-02-22T03:17:22.053-05:00More Love for Native Vines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="s1">Vines are popular with gardeners for many reasons; and we have outstanding choices for using NATIVE vines in our landscapes. There is really no need to choose an exotic vine, many of which have invaded our natural areas and caused great harm to them and the animals that would like to live in them. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonicera sempervirens, commonly known as coral <br />
honeysuckle. An easy native vine to grow.<br />
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<span class="s1">The same thing gardeners love about vines is also what drives them crazy. Vines climb, creep, crawl, drape and cover; it’s the good news and the bad news. But I’m advocating more love for native vines because they are not only useful in the garden, but ultimately such good providers for wildlife. What’s needed is an understanding of the growth habits of the vines you want to incorporate.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">By nature vines are among the more opportunistic of plants. Their roots take hold in the woodland floor and they use tendrils of different kinds to clamber upwards and spread their leaves in the sunshine. This means that a gardener can multiply the flower quotient by utilizing vertical space, or space that might otherwise be devoid of growth. Vines can cover walls, mailboxes, fences, terraces, trellises, arbors, rock piles, and tree stumps. Vines also make excellent groundcovers. Some vines are more opportunistic than others; <b>due diligence is the key to success.</b></span><br />
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<span class="s1">One of the easiest vines to grow, and adapted to most of the eastern United States, is <i>Lonicera sempervirens,</i> or coral honeysuckle. Common names differ, of course, in different places, and this vine is also known by some as trumpet honeysuckle. But don’t confuse it with trumpet vine, the voracious <i>Campsis radicans.</i> </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Easy to control, coral honeysuckle is:</span></div>
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<li>a native honeysuckle with a long bloom season</li>
<li>loved by butterflies and hummingbirds</li>
<li>a larval host for Spring Azure butterflies and Snowberry clearwing moths</li>
<li>fruit for quail and many songbirds</li>
<li>not preferred by deer</li>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Knowing the scientific name is really important when you are trying to convey or seek information about a particular plant.</span></b> For instance, the following plants are ALL called ‘woodbine’ in some parts of the country: <i>Lonicera sempervirens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, </i>and <i>Clematis virginiana. </i>As native plant advocates, we need to be asking for the right plants. </span>Common names get you nowhere. Anecdotal evidence. Sitting at an outside eatery in Utah one summer, I was asked if I could identity a pretty trumpet-shaped flower hanging from a vine nearby.<br />
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No, I replied.<br />
We'll ask the server, said friends.</div>
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<span class="s1"> Well, I do know for sure what she will call it.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"> What? came the unbelieving question. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"> Trumpet flower, I said, <br /><br />The server had no idea what it was called, and disappeared into the kitchen to enquire. Sure enough, the answer came back, 'Trumpet flower,'</span> leaving us no more enlightened than before.</div>
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<i>Campsis radicans</i>, trumpet vine is not for the faint of heart. Flowers have a tubular shape similar to coral honeysuckle but not as slender. This one was photographed high up in a tree. Trumpet vine is an aggressive grower that needs serious planning for containment and pruning if you want to grow it at home. It thrives in infertile sandy soil, which could be a plus, but the suckering and wandering roots make it a nightmare in rich moist soil. Be warned!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD2annQ1jLkYMMDnE8kGjsT5AyqD_O0tO2mQvR_7ptZw0F3p3Ubp0MLeKsd5WEZUKkJzgtNNkmrE-Vlb47Jf9oYnSSmEkTxLNUv-lCn0h4CMKGnPzaFsLO_QiKUHM_nFazX7pUu1Pi2vZ/s1600/campsis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD2annQ1jLkYMMDnE8kGjsT5AyqD_O0tO2mQvR_7ptZw0F3p3Ubp0MLeKsd5WEZUKkJzgtNNkmrE-Vlb47Jf9oYnSSmEkTxLNUv-lCn0h4CMKGnPzaFsLO_QiKUHM_nFazX7pUu1Pi2vZ/s320/campsis.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trumpet vine, lovely, and good for hummingbirds,<br />
but an aggressive climber and spreader.<br />
Photo ©BeautifulNativePlants</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Trumpet vine flowers are beautiful and it is one of the<a href="http://www.rubythroat.org/CreeperTrumpetMain.html" target="_blank"> main sources of food for the ruby-throated hummingbird </a>throughout the bird’s range. This vine grows rapidly, is tenacious, grasping, and heavy. I have seen only two places where homeowners successfully corralled it. One was on a tall, thick pole surrounded by a flagstone terrace. One was on a heavily supported T-shaped trellis in the middle of sandy lawn that could be mowed closely around the base. It’s possible, but it’s constant vigilance, and even then only with pre-approved barriers.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_wsI5K1kHO2GewfeclBAeE60D6dY6JCcFZIXtKekeFOIMC7WG4py9JEX_0R_cF9abIsBYs6aWPBU-ZzLOd2GhC-H9e-cdSXKYTOq73MYCRioc42hgTnK3LfaGoB06aBFh3TnSi14oj5X/s1600/L1230161.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_wsI5K1kHO2GewfeclBAeE60D6dY6JCcFZIXtKekeFOIMC7WG4py9JEX_0R_cF9abIsBYs6aWPBU-ZzLOd2GhC-H9e-cdSXKYTOq73MYCRioc42hgTnK3LfaGoB06aBFh3TnSi14oj5X/s320/L1230161.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our native clematis, Clematis virginia, largely extirpated<br />
in the wild, but available in the trade.<br />
©BeautifulNativePlants</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Did you know that we do have a native clematis? <i>Clematis virginiana </i>, or Virgin’s bower, has a snowy white, delicate flower, much smaller, but no less lovely, than the exotic ones you buy in the box stores. It's a hardy plant and easy to grow. Blooms appear late summer to fall, with copious amounts of pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies. And after the flowers, the seeds! The seeds ripen from green to rusty brown, and then sport long feathery tails, just as showy as the flowers. This unusual formation earns the vine another common name: Old man’s beard.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">There is an exotic imposter, <a href="https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=5354" target="_blank">Clematis ternifolia, sweet autumn virginsbower. </a><i><a href="https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=5354" target="_blank"> </a> </i>This<i> </i>invasive exotic vine smothers everything in its path, and is considered a pest plant by our National Park Service, among many others. <b>Tell the difference by examining the leaf margins.</b> Native leaf margin is toothed, exotic leaf margin is entire, or smooth.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKja788DIRB762flaSrzxQD0p9ahlau7lxyagFZtpQ2SME8lZCfXRcjQtSfVxpKUVvHojgPPSuAOY9q3-0YNcL8dAFQWdCC6oML54CsQM-XZgT2Vb3Qoiml1mp5nU61rKrboIMBpNoTww5/s1600/L1190310.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKja788DIRB762flaSrzxQD0p9ahlau7lxyagFZtpQ2SME8lZCfXRcjQtSfVxpKUVvHojgPPSuAOY9q3-0YNcL8dAFQWdCC6oML54CsQM-XZgT2Vb3Qoiml1mp5nU61rKrboIMBpNoTww5/s320/L1190310.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Beautiful native wisteria, Wisteria frutescens.<br />
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Photo ©BeautifulNativePlants</div>
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There is native wisteria, too, <i>Wisteria frutescens</i>; not at all as aggressive as Asian exotic wisteria is. Native wisteria blooms in early spring, AFTER the leaves have appeared, again unlike the exotic, which flowers before the leaves. It bears fragrant flowers on new wood, needs a strong support and annual pruning when mature, but is a beautiful addition to any vertical sunny space.</div>
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<span class="s1">Widely used throughout the south, a discussion of native vines is not complete without mentioning <i>Gelsemium sempervirens,</i> variously known as Carolina jessamine or jasmine, along with many other names. Easy to grow; beautiful fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds; evergreen leaves in much of its range; thick cover for trellis features and as a groundcover. However, it must be noted that all parts of this plant are toxic. As are many other plants we commonly use in our gardens. You will have to come to your own conclusions.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Next up<i>, Parthenocissus quinquefolia,</i> Virginia creeper. Yes, it creeps! This vine will spread over the ground as well as upwards because roots form at the nodes where vines come in contact with soil. So, another mixed bag – if you have limited space in a yard, it may not be a good choice. However, those creeping qualities make Virginia creeper an excellent groundcover. It covers the ground fairly quickly and spreads thickly enough to crowd out weeds. If you have the luxury of just being able to mow around it, it’s quite wonderful. Note that it will not flower and fruit as a groundcover, like many vines, it needs to grow upwards to flower. </span></div>
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And Virginia creeper is hard to beat as a provider of food and cover for wildlife. It’s got nectar and pollen; its leaves are eaten by several moth caterpillars, including the Giant Moth. When ripe, the dark blue berries contrast with brilliant red foliage in the fall and they are high in the lipid fats that are so important for powering migrating birds on their journeys. A long list of birds and small mammals are sustained by this high-quality food source. It has sticky feet and needs only guidance, not ties.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquixWUJbIi1vLpzKmrn40zjPR7ECwybZT5bm2trULrjfrJq6nE-8J7hmdvI1GSRUonwwr4TmZEUshayAX-sxPoD0gQtGNC961dMp6WX3csnSbQGH81YB55vh7ZG_DO2g9tL2K6QDICMrt/s1600/Untitled+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquixWUJbIi1vLpzKmrn40zjPR7ECwybZT5bm2trULrjfrJq6nE-8J7hmdvI1GSRUonwwr4TmZEUshayAX-sxPoD0gQtGNC961dMp6WX3csnSbQGH81YB55vh7ZG_DO2g9tL2K6QDICMrt/s400/Untitled+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Virginia creeper in summer and fall. Leaves of three, let it be; leaves of<br />
five, let it thrive! Photos ©BeautifulNativePlants<br />
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<span class="s1">Virginia creeper and poison ivy are sometimes confused. Creeper has five leaves and drupes (berries) that are dark-when-mature, not edible for humans. Poison ivy has three leaves and whitish berries. Both are beneficial to wildlife. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrqOSmf9C_z4m0klOuGGLATZAQATMcV8Pl_WtW_45VNiO_QYJeq4jtxeBSWeRvZChTc93KO8o5wx3e6mZLooZrm_X0CpQeEeXS8hRSo07a27JKVM7f1g02Hrbw2AXz7trkepSgFSEY7FM/s1600/passion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrqOSmf9C_z4m0klOuGGLATZAQATMcV8Pl_WtW_45VNiO_QYJeq4jtxeBSWeRvZChTc93KO8o5wx3e6mZLooZrm_X0CpQeEeXS8hRSo07a27JKVM7f1g02Hrbw2AXz7trkepSgFSEY7FM/s320/passion.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passionflower. It provokes passions. When happy it will<br />
neet haircuts. </td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Passionflower, (<i>Passiflora incarnata</i>) is perhaps the ultimate paradox. This divinely beautiful vine perplexes and impassions as few others do. Gardeners scream, “I can’t grow it for anything!!” as often as “I can’t get rid of it!” This is another one that has the capacity to become aggressive if its needs are being met. Proving the importance of knowing both the plant’s needs, and what you can provide. Your county extension agent and your Native Plant Society can help you with advice and with locating sources for native plants. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">There are many other native vines, of course. Vines in the the grape, (<i>Vitis)</i>, and greenbrier, (<i>Smilax</i>) families, may be suitable for larger parcels of land. For the more average sized yards there are Dutchman’s pipe, (<i>Aristolochia macrophylla</i>); wild yam, (<i>Dioscorea villosa);</i> groundnut, (<i>Apios americana</i>); hog peanut, (<i>Amphicarpaea bracteata;</i> and butterfly pea, (<i>Clitoria mariana</i>). All of these are worth searching for, from a reliable native plant nursery or sale. Each has special needs and special benefits for wildlife and for gardeners - whether they be wild or not!</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulNativePlants" target="_blank">Comments or questions?<br />Find us on Facebook!</a></span><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<span class="s1">Sue Dingwell</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-66983461683459683272020-02-20T13:00:00.001-05:002021-08-10T09:22:46.136-04:00Insects are a Weighty Matter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Aphids on a pear tree</div>
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One of many out-of-sight colonies,
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amounting to several pounds of insects
per tree<br />
© <span style="font-size: x-small;">Beatriz Moisset</span></div>
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If all the insects in an acre of land
chose to sit on you, they would crush you. Is that possible? How many
insects are there in an acre and how much do they weigh?</div>
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To get a better perspective on the
importance of insects, I set myself the task of finding out how many
insects there are in any ordinary garden or field. An
entomologist/gardener, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Eugene_Lutz">Frank E. Lutz</a> did just that more than 70 years
ago.<br />
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For four years Lutz collected and
counted every species of insects in his garden and published his
results in a fascinating little book, <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/title/lot-of-insects-entomology-in-a-suburban-garden/oclc/41183919"><i>A Lot of Insects</i></a>. The total
number of species was 1,402. You would think that his garden was
crawling with pests, but you would be wrong. The carnivores (both
predators and parasites) kept the herbivores in check preserving the
balance of nature. As a result, his garden won several awards, in
part thanks to all those insects.</div>
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This doesn’t tell us the total number
of insects. Some species may have been represented by just one or a
handful of specimens, others by thousands. For instance, you don’t
find just one ant or one aphid but entire colonies. Some
entomologists have tried to come up with estimates. Larry Pedigo and
Marlin Rice tell us in their textbook, <a href="http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=877"><i>Entomology and PestManagement</i></a>, that there are 400 millions insects per acre.</div>
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Any number bigger than a million is
hard to grasp. Let us look at insects in a different way. Their total
weight, also called biomass, may tell us something significant. What
is the biomass of all the insects in an acre of land? How does it
compare to the biomass of vertebrates in the same field? Gilbert
Waldbauer says in his charming book <a href="http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674016323"><i>What Good are Bugs?</i></a> that in a
field in Georgia, grasshoppers outweigh seven times the total biomass
of 10 sparrows and 10 mice that may occupy that same acre.
When we include all insects, not just grasshoppers, Pedigo and Rice
inform us that the average insect biomass per acre in the United
States is 400 pounds. The biomass of birds, mice, salamanders and all
other vertebrates in the same area may be a mere 40 pounds. Any
vertebrate that feeds on insects may rejoice at the abundance of
food.</div>
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Such amount of insect flesh per acre is
hard to believe. Where are all the insects that account for so much
weight? Insects frequently go unnoticed for several reasons. Most are
tiny, 1/16 in. or less, even such minuscule ones add up to a fair
amount of mass because they are so numerous. Others are well hidden.
In addition to the ones we see flying around, scampering on the
ground, or visiting a flower, myriad insects and their larvae are
buried in the soil, inside tree trunks, on the underside of leaves,
or high in the foliage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqGSGuJn05wQ6WxaHWdHQa_5bfp-EwLER88OUjvFnvCADgwePNFusN6M6NZDOpYHtSBdfhaI3KNRifaw2IwXBsk9QO7J7oIMvKBeWDS3sAKFtsr9ns5rVBNz1Gi0lN5mCas74j9S0aPs/s1600/IMG_2358.w.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqGSGuJn05wQ6WxaHWdHQa_5bfp-EwLER88OUjvFnvCADgwePNFusN6M6NZDOpYHtSBdfhaI3KNRifaw2IwXBsk9QO7J7oIMvKBeWDS3sAKFtsr9ns5rVBNz1Gi0lN5mCas74j9S0aPs/s400/IMG_2358.w.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">An assortment of insects
were hidden</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">under a piece of loose
bark of one of these logs</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />© Beatriz Moisset</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAV5bJSRmpJSvd3TasvvTZIsOZ3vGLucIdqaUGfdFD07x_LbbBfZDDyRRvaGW5zCwg-VDgHr7W1zZEotK02j19FBx4v9rpBCt6rti4d-AKSKFvGBVJjcJqediJpt-57Kb7viQ6cRzPGU/s1600/IMG_2514.w.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAV5bJSRmpJSvd3TasvvTZIsOZ3vGLucIdqaUGfdFD07x_LbbBfZDDyRRvaGW5zCwg-VDgHr7W1zZEotK02j19FBx4v9rpBCt6rti4d-AKSKFvGBVJjcJqediJpt-57Kb7viQ6cRzPGU/s400/IMG_2514.w.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A shiny metallic
Augochlora pura bee sleeping under the bark<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></div>
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Even the ones that don’t take pains
in hiding often remain unseen by most of us. Last spring I spotted
some lady bird beetles on the tree trunks of some pear trees. This
alerted me to the possibility of aphids nearby. Each flower cluster
was home to a colony of green aphids. I would have never seen them if
I hadn’t searched for them. The trees appeared healthy and the
flowers, lovely. Nevertheless, I suspect that each tree held a few
pounds of aphids.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
The sheer
numbers and bulk of insects give us some idea of the magnitude of
their role in any ecosystem. It
is good to remember that most of them are not pests: They provide
food for birds and other vertebrates, they recycle organic matter,
they pollinate flowering plants, and they keep other insects in
check.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ants and termites
contribute heavily to the total insect biomass<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Editor's Note: Author Beatriz Moisset has provided multiple resources for </span><span style="font-size: small;">further study, all highly recommended for their scientific rigor combined with </span><span style="font-size: small;">explanations that are both interesting and understandable. She is also a member of the </span><span style="font-size: small;">online go-to for insect ID, BugGuide. Please see ~<br /></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bug Guide - </span><a href="https://bugguide.net/user/view/667" style="font-size: 12px;">https://bugguide.net/user/view/667</a></div>
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Pollinator blog - <a href="http://pollinators.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 12px;">http://pollinators.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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A Beginner's Guide to our Native Bees </div>
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<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5306468.pdf" style="font-size: 12px;">https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5306468.pdf</a><br />
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Beatriz Moisset, PhD Biology</div>
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University of Cordoba, Argentina<br />
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Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-79345150899293360022020-02-04T23:25:00.000-05:002020-02-07T15:16:23.815-05:00Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy: Book Review <style type="text/css">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Doug Tallamy's new book:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a wellspring of inspiration</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> In his new book, <i>Nature’s Best Hope</i>, Dr. Doug Tallamy has delivered a deep and powerful wellspring of inspiration for the many people craving an opportunity to be part of transformative change for our challenged world. Even more compelling than his first book, <i>Bringing Nature Home</i>, a seminal work in itself, <i>Nature’s Best Hope </i>is a clarion call for the informed appreciation of native plants and the immediate course correction of using them in our own planting spaces to form the connected corridors that will help forestall the loss of species and the loss of ecosystem services that are we currently experiencing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="s1"><i>Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard</i>, is a richly layered work, providing a contextual look at the evolution of our thinking </span>about conservation, as well as detailed guidelines for getting started with native plants in your own nearby spaces, and, perhaps most importantly, the reasoning that will convince you, your neighbors, and your neighborhoods that now is the time to do so. Far from a dry treatise or an impassioned rant, the writing here reflects Tallamy’s character: cautiously optimistic, and gently but perceptively humorous. This book is an enjoyable read both for his fans, and for those who are new to his ideas about the roles native plants play in our landscapes. One of his stated goals was to write a book that would meet the needs of three groups of people: those who like plants, those who like animals, and those who like neither. He has done so.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A white sphinx moth pollinates a flower while seeking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nectar. We must understand our pollinator's needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">©Doug Tallamy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course, at the heart of this book is the depth of Tallamy’s knowledge and experience. A professor of Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware for over 40 years, author of more than 95 research papers, and - read the book cover for a list of awards, and bona fides - a person ultimately qualified to make the arguments he does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Tallamy’s explanations of the specialized relationships between plants, insects, and animals are fascinating stories, but also foundational building blocks for understanding the natural world we live in, whether we live in the city, the country, or anywhere in between.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So many significant changes have come about in our world since the publication of <i>Bringing Nature Home;</i> the words ‘monarch decline,’ ‘climate change,’ and ‘the sixth extinction’ are no longer strangers to our conversations but have become part of the common parlance. In the new book Tallamy has taken the opportunity to address some of the common questions that have surfaced during this intervening time. Debates about the value of introduced plants and novel ecosystems; the feasibility of restoration projects, or the advisability of letting nature ‘take its course.’ These issues and more receive detailed and clarifying explanations. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kirtland's warblers are now so few in number that their</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">future is precarious. We still have the power to reverse the decline</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of many plant and animal species. ©Doug Tallamy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="s1"></span>A core concept of the new book is an idea Tallamy calls the Homegrown National Park, one that is created by us, as individuals, with no need for new laws to be passed. Tallamy in no way minimizes the extent of the challenges we face, he carefully quantifies all that we have lost in acres, in habitat, and in species, but his mastery of details is what makes his idea of the Homegrown National Park so compelling. He notes that we have witnessed time and again how quickly nature can restore itself, and asks us to imagine how much more quickly she would do so if only we helped her. We have the power as individuals to do so. The connected corridors of our Homegrown National Parks have the potential “to restore some semblance of ecosystem function to more the twenty million acres of what is now ecological wasteland.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> That is significant. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A bluebird brings to its nest one of the many thousand<br />insects needed to raise the babies. 90% of insects that eat<br /> plants depend on finding the plants they have co-evolved,<br />and have a specialized relationship, with. <br />© Doug Tallamy</span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tangible evidence of results, even in the most unlikely of places, provide welcome success stories: monarchs and native bees on the High Line in New York City, 103 species of birds in a tiny yard half a block from Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway, a grandfather and a toddler who are now loving and deriving the benefits of nature from time spent in their new, native plant, richly diverse backyards. When looking for specific advice within the book, highly visible chapter subdivisions make it easy to find exactly what you are looking for; there is a whole section on suburban yards.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another valuable feature is the FAQ section at the end. Just one example: in reply to the question, “Doesn’t this (planting natives) take more knowledge than the average homeowner has?” Tallamy replies in part, “In the 1980s we learned how to program our VCRs!” His full answer is more amusing and more edifying than time allows for here, but you can see how this section will be a handy reference for helping you answer the questions you will be getting, too. Toxic plants? Ticks? Yard's too small? It's too late to fix? Tallamy has you covered. Extensive illustrations, a comprehensive index, and a bibliography each add to the value of <i>Nature’s Best Hope</i>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="s1">“</span><span class="s2">W</span><span class="s1">hether we like nature or not, none of us will be able to live long without it.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In <i>Nature’s Best Hope</i> you will find the inspiration, the motivation, and the tools you need to help create our next National Park, it's a positively electrifying read. Buy a book today. Or go to the publishers, <span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.workman.com/products/natures-best-hope" target="_blank">Timber Press</a>,</b></span> and buy a box of them to share with key players in your life. I did.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sue Dingwell</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Master Naturalist, FL and VA</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Master Gardener<br />
Former Board Member of Virginia and Florida</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Native Plant Societies<br />
Conservation and Media Committees, <br />
Colorado Native Plant Society</span></div>
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</style>Sue Dingwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02525535736523273259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-70382067072021283832020-01-29T02:43:00.000-05:002020-01-29T10:21:40.459-05:00Feed the Birds!<style type="text/css">
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<span class="s1">While there are many discussions on the pros and cons of using bird feeders, you can never go wrong by feeding them with the native plants they depend on in the wild. As we wrestle with the reality of increasing species loss, we can take action in our own yards and community spaces by promoting and using plants native to our region. Yes, changes are occurring, and the ranges of both flora and fauna are moving ever northward. But less is not more - let’s keep as many of the local eco-type plants as we can for as long as we can. And enjoy the benefits of </span>the company of the animals that are still counting on them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNQI4AbFOYOjQ9sb_yoRGmatOAdR8EusQfnK8kL7q7LkXllhDsTF7AhlTL2_QvFWtl7127LfMebsArsQ7d4rlpgLu3WGPcAjoAEuNmNU-9ygDaHt3iO5EY_WJQccjk7aJBTYngO8FILwz/s1600/IMG_2823.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNQI4AbFOYOjQ9sb_yoRGmatOAdR8EusQfnK8kL7q7LkXllhDsTF7AhlTL2_QvFWtl7127LfMebsArsQ7d4rlpgLu3WGPcAjoAEuNmNU-9ygDaHt3iO5EY_WJQccjk7aJBTYngO8FILwz/s320/IMG_2823.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although they are often called 'berries,' the fruit<br />
of the juniper is actually a cone. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Native juniper species make excellent privacy screens, and double as roosting and nesting shelters for birds and a wide variety of insects. Many American robins remain in their breeding territory all winter long and especially appreciate these tasty safe havens. Here a robin is enjoying the fruits of a Rocky Mountain juniper, (<i>Juniperus scopulorum</i>). Each little ‘berry’ is actually a cone, you can see the overlapping scales in the photo, taken with a magnifying lens.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">In the east, use <a href="https://vnps.org/eastern-red-cedar-in-the-landscape/" target="_blank">Eastern Red Cedar, </a></span><a href="https://vnps.org/eastern-red-cedar-in-the-landscape/" target="_blank">Juniperus virginica</a>, and you will not only be helping birds, but also the Juniper Hairstreak butterfly.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Everyone loves sunflowers, and finches are extremely partial to the seeds of this showy native plant. They have evolved a beak specifically designed for quick cracking. On the cutting edge of the upper half of the beak is a groove which the lower half slides into exactly. The finch uses its tongue to situate the seed into the groove. As the beak closes, a slight back and forth movement slices the outer hull open.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Co-evolution: it works. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/helianthus_annuus.shtml" target="_blank">Sunflowers,</a> of the genus <i>Helianthus</i>, members of the aster family, are among the easiest of flowers to grow, and there are many species to chose from. Just make sure it’s a native!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR9P4YhRVgJD-Xg76_th_h8btVwSM2q6NhyphenhyphencjOxHlw_kTPaUUu2JcCNZQdnMoj6i2qTX5z5sxQIiM7Zioe2VKoyohLOJJIOX0KS9eOrJjB7aXUhzlUGfGh9QcisAnCmRlW3QTY9iJ3PaK/s1600/P1060050.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR9P4YhRVgJD-Xg76_th_h8btVwSM2q6NhyphenhyphencjOxHlw_kTPaUUu2JcCNZQdnMoj6i2qTX5z5sxQIiM7Zioe2VKoyohLOJJIOX0KS9eOrJjB7aXUhzlUGfGh9QcisAnCmRlW3QTY9iJ3PaK/s320/P1060050.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lesser goldfinch enjoys sunflower seeds in the native<br />
garden of a library in Boulder, CO.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF24KiEcho83kRHy8-u1vLZifqJqlmNJuHAiLt9YhPhqr0U3Br_GL3J-lrv2oud3McdLswvjrY0PjEesw96Ic7CgMN8ZkqoK2CoLRGx-PLIkhp9dVs8w3qDUDdqF4SG18n2qSbVrhD-O3/s1600/CATHY.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1551" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF24KiEcho83kRHy8-u1vLZifqJqlmNJuHAiLt9YhPhqr0U3Br_GL3J-lrv2oud3McdLswvjrY0PjEesw96Ic7CgMN8ZkqoK2CoLRGx-PLIkhp9dVs8w3qDUDdqF4SG18n2qSbVrhD-O3/s320/CATHY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hummingbird nectars on mangrove mallow.<br />
Photo thanks to Cathy Lieb Reed Beals </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p5">
<span class="s1">You never have to worry about keeping native flower nectar clean for your hummingbirds, and the flowers will of course also bring other nectaring insects to your yard. The butterflies are fun to watch, and the hummingbirds will feed on the other protein-rich insects that come along. </span></div>
<div class="p5">
<br /></div>
<div class="p5">
<span class="s1">This hummingbird in a South Florida yard is delighted to find a drink in a mangrove mallow, (<i>Pavonia paludicola</i>), graciously provided by the homeowner. If you'd like more information, here is a comprehensive, two-part article on how to attract and feed hummers with native plants: <span class="s4"><a href="https://choosenatives.org/articles/how-to-feed-hummingbird-part-i-insects-protein/"><b>https://choosenatives.org/articles/how-to-feed-hummingbird-part-i-insects-protein/</b></a></span></span></div>
<div class="p5">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p5">
Natives are a natural.</div>
<div class="p5">
<br /></div>
<div class="p5">
<br /></div>
<br />
Sue Dingwell ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulNativePlants/" target="_blank"><b>Follow us on Facebook</b></a>Sue Dingwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02525535736523273259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-56513227980262330752020-01-21T17:09:00.000-05:002020-01-21T22:05:01.859-05:00Toward the Plastic-free Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSprH1BmnLJd7A3uc2A_oFAJ-v42a9oE7P6m4zDWwTzfyJHzrtWKEBnCBvtPHym3rFtlSQ2JY7S6X6Bhqc4VCvggn3FYhMZn4T5vlPiYrHCyPOBUXA0J8XApmTZ5YX3x1XXj7pzMz6hKY/s1600/IMG_8454.11.12w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSprH1BmnLJd7A3uc2A_oFAJ-v42a9oE7P6m4zDWwTzfyJHzrtWKEBnCBvtPHym3rFtlSQ2JY7S6X6Bhqc4VCvggn3FYhMZn4T5vlPiYrHCyPOBUXA0J8XApmTZ5YX3x1XXj7pzMz6hKY/s320/IMG_8454.11.12w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Leaf recycling the natural
way, an eternal cycle</div>
<div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Plastics are a curse and a blessing.
They are changing our world for better and for worse. That is why
Susan Freinkel titled her book on this subject Plastic: "A Toxic Love
Story." I recommend her <a href="http://library.fora.tv/2012/05/22/Susan_Freinkel_Eternal_Plastic_A_Toxic_Love_Story/disposable_lifestyle_are_plastics_the_root_of_all_evil">ForaTV lecture</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The most serious trouble with plastics
is that they are not truly recyclable. It is true that we place them
by the curbside and they are taken by trucks to recycling facilities.
If all goes as it should, that plastic is turned into something else
and given a new life. But that doesn’t complete the circle back to
the original components. Perhaps it should be called something else,
down-cycling, half-cycling?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrHV4mHurb7VvX3YnT2rd41Z3dPp1OgvMKXRs2R3sarE7dm7NaH9_2bBR6fWlNvM6e-SWC99momB3Nfkx40tjygIIPthW65WPyXNUdvW-IY1GQOfSSoiW5mqnAz675kLs4TKfWBD8ups/s1600/4408273247_86db163ca2.Kevin-Krejci.flickr-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrHV4mHurb7VvX3YnT2rd41Z3dPp1OgvMKXRs2R3sarE7dm7NaH9_2bBR6fWlNvM6e-SWC99momB3Nfkx40tjygIIPthW65WPyXNUdvW-IY1GQOfSSoiW5mqnAz675kLs4TKfWBD8ups/s1600/4408273247_86db163ca2.Kevin-Krejci.flickr-300x199.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Recycled or not, this is
where plastics end up</div>
<div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Kevin Krejci. Flickr<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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Nature is the supreme recycler. Let us
see how it does it. A leaf takes minerals and water from the soil,
and carbon dioxide from the air. Using energy from sunlight, it
combines these raw materials into organic matter. In the fall, the
leaf dies and falls to the ground. The recycling process gets under
way. Insects chew it down, fungi and bacteria take over and continue
breaking it down into simpler and simpler molecules. It may take
months or years; the raw materials go back to their original state —
minerals, water, and carbon dioxide to be used again. The process is
a perfect circle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes the full cycle requires more
steps. A caterpillar eats the leaf. A songbird eats the caterpillar,
and a hawk eats the songbird. When the bird of prey dies, it returns
to the soil, completing the cycle. Or, the leaf sends the final
product, the organic matter, down to the trunk of the tree where it
becomes wood. It may take many years, even centuries, but in the end
the wood returns to the soil, and the circle is completed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This recycling has been going on from
the beginning of life on the planet and will continue until the end.
Without it there would be no life. Let us compare with the
“recycling” performed by us, humans.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Aluminum is fully recyclable. It can be
melted again and again indefinitely. Glass is almost as recyclable.
Paper, like leaves, is made of organic matter. So, if processed
properly, is also fully recyclable.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At least in theory, those major
components of the waste stream can complete the entire cycle
repeatedly. Plastic is another matter. Leaving aside the complexities
of the variety of plastics, let us say that plastics are not
recyclable. So far no true biodegradable plastics exists. So they are
only converted to lower-grade plastics and used for some purposes.
After that they reach the end of the line, never going full circle.
Waste of some sort accumulates inexorably, and it is beginning to
impact the environment in alarming ways.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, what can we do in our gardens to
prevent the accumulation of plastics? We know that the three R’s of
environmental responsibility are in descending order of importance:
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. With plastics we should change it to:
Reduce, Reduce, and Reduce. Complete elimination may be impossible.
But reduction should be a top priority. Let us make it our New Year’s
Resolution.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSYk__Du7aFQ_7iFdcjj1RLesPKRM5uUjnP4UCpwkxWI_5eL73jADc98j_yhDiFTYgbA0RpofE8rd72Y4l7Fm0UflZM5kjfIWBv4ZPcF4XjQa8cW_XMv0ZQZt-0WgMmieo5ZRrJhZemA/s1600/4523471364_ec0964efc0-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSYk__Du7aFQ_7iFdcjj1RLesPKRM5uUjnP4UCpwkxWI_5eL73jADc98j_yhDiFTYgbA0RpofE8rd72Y4l7Fm0UflZM5kjfIWBv4ZPcF4XjQa8cW_XMv0ZQZt-0WgMmieo5ZRrJhZemA/s1600/4523471364_ec0964efc0-300x199.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Plastic mulch in the
garden</div>
<div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© mmwm. Flickr</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have to educate ourselves on the
ways to reduce plastics in the garden. An Internet search of the more
professional websites was rather disappointing. For example, the
Universities of<a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/using-plastic-mulches-and-drip-irrigation-for-vegetables"> North Carolina</a>, <a href="https://uconnladybug.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/plastic-mulches-for-the-vegetable-garden/">Connecticut</a>, and <a href="http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H245.pdf">New Mexico</a> discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of plastic mulch. None of the
websites mentions the most serious disadvantage, damage to the
environment, and none has suggestions on how to replace it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fortunately, other sites are rich on
tips about how to create a plastic-free garden</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <a href="http://ecologycenter.org/plastics/ptf/report9/">Ecology Center</a>, an organization
devoted to goals of ecological sustainability, lists a number of
misconceptions about the recycling of plastics, for instance the
belief that curbside collection will reduce the amount of plastic
landfilled. It doesn’t work this way if it encourages us to use
more plastic. This site emphasizes the importance of “reduce” and
“reuse” in its list of suggestions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A good resource for gardeners
interested in reducing plastics is the <a href="http://rodaleinstitute.org/">Rodale Institute</a>. Their
article “<a href="http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/7-ways-get-plastic-out-your-vegetable-garden">7 Ways To Get Plastic Out Of Your Vegetable Garden</a>” has
some excellent suggestions. Using organic instead of plastic mulches
is so important that they expand the subject in “<a href="http://www.rodalewellness.com/living-well/garden-mulch">The Easiest Ways to Drought-Proof Your Garden</a>." They also discuss plastic-free
living in the home as well as the garden in “<a href="http://www.rodalewellness.com/living-well/plastic-free">Our 5 Favorite Lessons Learned from Plastic-Free Living</a>.” They recommend choosing the
right hose. Even small details can be helpful, like using popsicle
sticks instead of plastic plant labels or daylily dying leaves as
plant ties. The readers of these articles proposed other ideas, such
as cutting strips of metal from soft drink cans to use as labels, and
painting the names of plants on small rocks. Every bit helps. Every
suggestion counts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8yLgktpNHZf4-BGO3f2JUz6w8UVT0oPsA6NJ0H_6LjaXNTYa-Zl8ypu2G7ujd6ofy0YJSIQJFNQqo2awomCmScxepXy5i85If6y-V7joIYDbyHWSeZYdb-qBIj3D5_ii356nbLfL1Q8/s1600/IMG_8499.12.12-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8yLgktpNHZf4-BGO3f2JUz6w8UVT0oPsA6NJ0H_6LjaXNTYa-Zl8ypu2G7ujd6ofy0YJSIQJFNQqo2awomCmScxepXy5i85If6y-V7joIYDbyHWSeZYdb-qBIj3D5_ii356nbLfL1Q8/s1600/IMG_8499.12.12-300x225.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What can we do about the
ubiquitous plastic plant pots?</div>
<div lang="es-ES" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let us strive toward the plastic-free
garden: <b>Reduce, Reduce, and Reduce!</b> Do you have your own favorite
methods? I am sure the readers of “BeautifulNative Plants” have a
lot to teach the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2013, Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20160422025123/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a></div>
</div>
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</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-27470502459491593722020-01-15T01:56:00.000-05:002020-02-13T05:03:07.970-05:00Oh, Yucca! A Plant for All Reasons<style type="text/css">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">Oh, Yucca! Do you picture this plant as a pokey, static, and rather dull component of a landscape?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">Au contraire! We posit the yucca as a plant of majesty, elegance, and fascinating complexity. Not to mention an easy evergreen keeper in the garden.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ntyMrxUjQVnz2ER2lBvjOyv1RqZ6bVOnLXiqS_Bd3vWi5G2w0dlurEh6Hb_dpkf6iFi7Mk2JCi14igeNbqHq348fxYvQpiJuU9ywB05A88llZF2Yr-zaxyhyY33Dd7paORHnhFQHBxf2/s1600/P1002529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1280" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ntyMrxUjQVnz2ER2lBvjOyv1RqZ6bVOnLXiqS_Bd3vWi5G2w0dlurEh6Hb_dpkf6iFi7Mk2JCi14igeNbqHq348fxYvQpiJuU9ywB05A88llZF2Yr-zaxyhyY33Dd7paORHnhFQHBxf2/s400/P1002529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native yuccas have architectural interest after flowering</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR5bBaTVpFizmmMTFbVqbD7XHw3GPaTK5bv3SU3BvvNvQsRqcVeiEuAA2ZFywBwxCL-ut7LEdhil6z4uJaEEWQGssIksIvce73yfNduLKu8_OT09jzFxO6suCl9WLZt0L6qRs49UAxsmI/s1600/P1000520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="911" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPR5bBaTVpFizmmMTFbVqbD7XHw3GPaTK5bv3SU3BvvNvQsRqcVeiEuAA2ZFywBwxCL-ut7LEdhil6z4uJaEEWQGssIksIvce73yfNduLKu8_OT09jzFxO6suCl9WLZt0L6qRs49UAxsmI/s320/P1000520.jpeg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucca glauca, in New Mexico the bright<br />
mass of flowers gives it the name<br />
Lamparas de Dios, which translates<br />
as Lamps of the Lord. Note downward<br />
orientation of flowers.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">The yucca is a tough customer alright, with leaves adapted to withstand drought and cold, and pointy, sometimes sharp tips.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In contrast to its rugged exterior though, its blooms are extravagantly luxurious; bell-shaped, fragrant flowers enclosing a mysterious relationship and performing gymnastics to become holders of seeds.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">The mystery is not so hard to explain, co-evolution over thousands of years between the yucca and the yucca moth. What’s mysterious is the exclusivity and the complexity of their relationship. There are dozens of species of yucca, but with the exception of one, <i>Yucca aloifolia</i>, every one of them</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>must do a dance of partnership with a specific moth in the <i>Tegeticula </i>or <i>Parategeticula</i> genus, known as yucca moths. These two living beings depend upon each other for their existence, one cannot procreate without the other, and they have established a partnership that benefits each of them in multiple ways. </div>
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Poor little yucca moth - unlike most moths and butterflies it lacks a long tongue. Well, that doesn’t matter too much because the adult moth isn’t around long enough to need to eat anyway.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s meet, mate, and move on, all on, in, or under a yucca plant. After the meeting and mating, the female moth uses her short life to accomplish some tricky feats. The moths have emerged just as their yucca has come into bloom. The female must use special tentacles around her mouth to scrape pollen off several anthers (male part) of a yucca flower. Then, carefully protecting the resulting lump of pollen under her chin, she takes wing for an inspection tour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFBGwNFl5QoYT30vAhQBss-nEkTlDEKbiK3XDZDx1cDIlAAV6S3YotaQj51njQqRZynSGL1NsqQ4dAMLC9_KR2fa7dXX1W9xqSimKUjVlgMM31RnV7O9gF9zrdFB5JUpz09x0Z8jrIwpN/s1600/Untitled+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFBGwNFl5QoYT30vAhQBss-nEkTlDEKbiK3XDZDx1cDIlAAV6S3YotaQj51njQqRZynSGL1NsqQ4dAMLC9_KR2fa7dXX1W9xqSimKUjVlgMM31RnV7O9gF9zrdFB5JUpz09x0Z8jrIwpN/s400/Untitled+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucca flowers progress from upward facing to downward</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Leaving the pollen source plant, she seeks out a new yucca at the right stage of flowering, (yay, cross pollination!). Now her inspection tour goes deep. Into<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the flower’s ovary she descends, making sure that no other moth eggs are already occupying the space; her antennae signal the scent of another female’s presence. This works for everyone - an overburdened flower would abort, depriving both the plant and the moth babes of a future. Now the yucca moth mama opens a small hole in the flower's ovary, deposits her eggs inside, and finally, she makes her way to the stigma (female part) of the flower, where she scrapes off some of her pollen. Perfect! Now the flower is fertilized. There will be a fruit. The moth larvae will have seeds to eat, but will leave plenty behind.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Both flower and moth will continue on to the next go-round of the amazing, and often unseen web of life on earth.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoObwRbrIFIOnyXhzyFq_37LG1PwhBhy11CD0dcocy3FzC9-Oi0hukdRrPYJx674L9xAOVv43EaiRgNluwg2WeG_-b2YP1_KsC97zOqaYZ8e74FEpJ-FcobXmStsEfFC5kNmWJskafOKqL/s1600/three.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoObwRbrIFIOnyXhzyFq_37LG1PwhBhy11CD0dcocy3FzC9-Oi0hukdRrPYJx674L9xAOVv43EaiRgNluwg2WeG_-b2YP1_KsC97zOqaYZ8e74FEpJ-FcobXmStsEfFC5kNmWJskafOKqL/s320/three.jpeg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By late fall, seed capsules split open and release<br />
hundreds of flat black seeds. The capsules often<br />
persist till spring or beyond as these have.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Yuccas have have made adaptations to a range of habitats from</span> deserts to grassland, mountains and coastal scrub. From New Jersey down to Florida and across the Midwest, you can grow the native <i>Yucca filamentosa</i> among others. In the West, <i>Yucca glauca </i>is common, but you have many others to choose from there as well. Only the northernmost states on both coasts, where there is too much moisture, lack native yuccas. </div>
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Yuccas make excellent accent plants or focal points in a garden. Plant them where they will have space to spread as they mature, and not near walkways, of course. They remain green all year, even in the snow or the deepest heat of summer, and require a minimum of water, making them perfect candidates for low-impact gardening. </div>
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After you have selected the species that grows in your region, and brought the plant home, make sure to dig a hole wider and deeper than the container. Yuccas have deep taproots which you need to keep protected, these taproots also mean the plant will prefer not to be moved once settled in. You must water new plants until they establish, but keep in mind that the yucca's natural adaptation to drought and dry conditions means that over-watering will not be welcomed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SEIruKKMyk_jbpj1NY8iloF9N2do8vEq9xuUwzig74JqzJJhSW5bc7sN94-GnTI-mdzNsrW-gM1M8tKF9T9hVOEJC3XlTb9zghocAigAR7dUtpSmVIK2w9wHdURGOvy49Uw6ETw0gV0o/s1600/L1340541.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SEIruKKMyk_jbpj1NY8iloF9N2do8vEq9xuUwzig74JqzJJhSW5bc7sN94-GnTI-mdzNsrW-gM1M8tKF9T9hVOEJC3XlTb9zghocAigAR7dUtpSmVIK2w9wHdURGOvy49Uw6ETw0gV0o/s320/L1340541.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucca filamentosa in garden at end of<br />
winter in Riverbend Park, VA. The tough white filaments<br />
of the yucca had many uses in the past, forming<br />
nets, sandals, and baskets, </td></tr>
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There is no doubt that yuccas make dramatic ornamental statements. In fact, one yucca has its own national park in California, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm" target="_blank">Joshua Tree National Park</a>. The famous Joshua Tree is actually <i>Yucca brevifolia! </i><br />
<br />
In addition to the yucca moth, various yuccas provide food for several skipper caterpillars as well as food, roosting and nesting sites for birds, small mammals and reptiles.<br />
<br />
Natives give life!</div>
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<div class="p1">
Sue Dingwell<br />
<br />
<b>Check us out on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulNativePlants" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a> </b></div>
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</w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">Every year I ruminate on what more I can do to support (and not just attract) wildlife in my home landscape. When an F1 tornado took down a dead elm tree and a few birch leaders last summer, we left the trunks of both as snags. When I clip shrub and tree branches I put them in a growing pile in the back corner of our lot instead of chipping them up. And I’m always experimenting with different management techniques in our prairie-inspired headquarters deep in the heart of suburbia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">In 2014 I converted our thinning / neglected back lawn of about 2,500ft into meadow. Over the years I’ve tried different methods of spring removal of plant top growth -- fire is illegal in city limits here in the Plains -- as well as employing fall forb plug planting and variously-timed seeding. I’ve not found the magic sauce to increase forb density without burning, but plugs out back and in the front beds has been modestly effective. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">Speaking of out front, that’s where I spend more time tweaking. Honestly, it’s amazing the pressures a small 400-500ft space must face. <a href="https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/creating-the-100ft-prairie-inspired-pollinator-garden" target="_blank">The two garden beds</a> are divided by a wide lawn path that’s slowly succumbing to little bluestem self sowing. The west bed is watered daily by my neighbor’s lawn sprinkler over spray, and the really drought tolerant plants have vanished so each year I make additions. The east bed fares better and forbs are actually starting to dominate the grasses to the point where early each summer I do a little thinning. Did I mention the garden capture a lot of neighborhood trash? Kid’s crayon drawings, work evaluations, socks, little plastic trees, plastic coffee cups, credit card bills, glue dot sheets, bags of sequins, packages of eyeglass wipes, play money…. The garden filters trash and rainfall. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hBw7nIItqBe5DnqUTX0L1xED9OSDJcgRPTTfOSEPw1jLiwSvtXPS1QgxxrRBuiw0dyUYvv8dw8Qi9pjYh-LPX9Bn_xhOF46nMopVlPrwFCAINbNYX5NckLwiTfItFpSIzFz5OY8HgQg/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hBw7nIItqBe5DnqUTX0L1xED9OSDJcgRPTTfOSEPw1jLiwSvtXPS1QgxxrRBuiw0dyUYvv8dw8Qi9pjYh-LPX9Bn_xhOF46nMopVlPrwFCAINbNYX5NckLwiTfItFpSIzFz5OY8HgQg/s320/IMG_8986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">Overall I let all areas of the landscape <a href="https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/converting-a-small-front-yard-to-prairie-beds" target="_blank">find their way and teach me</a>. While the front beds are more exposed to human viewing -- and thus require a fuzz more TLC like cutting back grasses near the sidewalk in mid summer -- the other 5,000ft or so are more kept up by birds, voles, and my toddler who trims plants within reach.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV6ArhfKEz_moxQ0IVl_ZXnei7PPd-1IBzrgph5UHjZTi5sTTF3_XTrSh2BADWxVPakwgyErHvssaQ7thnt0GZzx0eZPqrAjRpY-ewIzWFXUjeBsjFn6R7xBNLHG8qVroSrtRdSjrdxg/s1600/October+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV6ArhfKEz_moxQ0IVl_ZXnei7PPd-1IBzrgph5UHjZTi5sTTF3_XTrSh2BADWxVPakwgyErHvssaQ7thnt0GZzx0eZPqrAjRpY-ewIzWFXUjeBsjFn6R7xBNLHG8qVroSrtRdSjrdxg/s320/October+24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">I’ve had my fair share of <a href="https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/how-to-pass-weed-inspection-a-real-life-story-guide" target="_blank">city weed control notices</a>, winning each time, knowing how critical it is to have this re-wilded example in an ocean of lawn with an absence of street trees. Our city lot is within 1/2 mile of a restored tallgrass prairie of over 500 hundred acres, and a few miles away from a conserved prairie of another few hundred acres. Our subdivision is flanked on one side by a long grove of trees that creates a songbird flyway and, in summer, echoes with a few fleeting bobwhite calls. The pond one hundred feet from our house is deafening in March as peepers awaken.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxR7RKs9_wScqNCugCrZc_c_ALPMXOoRvc_O88iorPe3cc5kRzd9Dv_9XnZXEA1UaPwmNOMf3So2pBl9rWRtP90FK_Bv8KLHeV12HrCDD2o-jf1CJ0VubufsNyc0BwodqYe01Iy7VAA0/s1600/IMG_20191122_120739_986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxR7RKs9_wScqNCugCrZc_c_ALPMXOoRvc_O88iorPe3cc5kRzd9Dv_9XnZXEA1UaPwmNOMf3So2pBl9rWRtP90FK_Bv8KLHeV12HrCDD2o-jf1CJ0VubufsNyc0BwodqYe01Iy7VAA0/s320/IMG_20191122_120739_986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">It’s imperative we make a stand for nature wherever and however we can. This means gardens take on a sort of activist, <a href="https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/native-plants-racism-the-colonizing-nature-of-garden-language" target="_blank">social justice for wildlife</a> (and people) bent that makes a variety of folks and industries uncomfortable. But if we aren’t uncomfortable -- if we aren’t being challenged to rethink pretty and think critically about human supremacy over landscapes -- then there’s no room for empathy, understanding, or equality among all of us who call our neighborhoods home. When I dig in a new Heuchera richardsonii, Liatris aspera, or Dalea purpurea I’m not dreaming of how I will enjoy the plant -- I’m thinking <a href="https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/our-gardens-are-at-the-center-of-vanishing-bees-and-butterflies-and-in-saving-nature" target="_blank">what species use it</a> as a larval host or come in droves to gather pollen. That might make me an anomaly, but in the view of insects and bugs and more, it also makes my garden a refuge of hope and a place of defiant compassion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;">BENJAMIN VOGT has a PhD from the University of Nebraska and is the author of <a href="https://www.monarchgard.com/books.html" target="_blank">A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for An Uncertain Future</a>. He speaks nationally on sustainable design, environmental psychology, and reconciliation ecology. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0000pt;"></span>Benjamin owns the prairie-inspired design firm <a href="http://monarchgard.com/" target="_blank">Monarch Gardens LLC</a> and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.</div>
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Benjamin Vogthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-49171136656717420572020-01-01T17:12:00.000-05:002020-02-13T05:06:32.934-05:00Stinging Nettle. Food for Butterflies and Food for Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinging nettle foliage <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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Last May I went for a walk at my favorite nature center, and I noticed the nettles growing fast and furiously along the trail. <i>Urtica dioica</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is a native plant that grows through most of North America as the <a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=URDI">Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center</a> tell us. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden warns us about its powerful sting in <a href="https://www.bbg.org/news/weed-of-the-month-stinging-nettle">Weed of the Month: Stinging Nettle.</a> </span></div>
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This plant is a healthy vegetable, and its tender leaves invite gourmets who know what is good. I have never tasted it, but I thought it was time to do so. I tried collecting a few leaves, but soon found out the sting was surprisingly powerful. I have picked up leaves in other occasions with little consequence, and I have seen others collect leaves with no concern. I may to wear gloves in my next foray.<br />
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I found many recipes in the Internet. <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/stinging-nettles-8-recipes-for-145582">Garlicky pesto</a> sounds promising. I will try that. <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/165071/stinging-nettle-soup/">Stinging nettle soup</a> also looks tempting.</div>
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Early May is perhaps the best time to collect leaves. The plants are already tall and vigorous and, when I collected them yesterday, they seemed free from hungry visitors. However, I was surprised the next day when I looked at the leaves in their plastic bag. They were now crawling with tiny aphids. Last year I found aphids eagerly sucking juices from these plants on May 12.<br />
Close observation of the aphids under a microscope led me to notice the impressive structure of the stinging hairs. Interspersed among the regular hairs, considerably larger but still small enough to go unnoticed by the bare eye, the stinging hairs look remarkably different. They are shaped like hypodermic syringes and bursting with fluid, ready to pierce the passerby's skin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkrgoDGdV9jJSFV4yM0yL9qyA6NB6DUqdyopgFHFiNLEEDqyond_fkDFxRivx8BlOK4yh0nwlImASiJRP7otvye0fUy04-rGGtrsz7CbO6SClKez8KlK7NjWIATwwo2dZGTcilW2j0Kw/s1600/IMG_5994.5.13.12w.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkrgoDGdV9jJSFV4yM0yL9qyA6NB6DUqdyopgFHFiNLEEDqyond_fkDFxRivx8BlOK4yh0nwlImASiJRP7otvye0fUy04-rGGtrsz7CbO6SClKez8KlK7NjWIATwwo2dZGTcilW2j0Kw/s1600/IMG_5994.5.13.12w.jpg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7v7elf_5dG9QV3hPRLqxjlGp2EoIJ209ISqmYFw_ZgXXEBLEOWQPmlV0sv_HwH8vvI4B4tr4Wt8AL4329kjua6_wLUpLSQThOCsrTYAnftzDCzIlPOc_DaBTErJ_1GgEL-YKjt1BDlc/s1600/IMG_5424.5.13.12w.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="599" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7v7elf_5dG9QV3hPRLqxjlGp2EoIJ209ISqmYFw_ZgXXEBLEOWQPmlV0sv_HwH8vvI4B4tr4Wt8AL4329kjua6_wLUpLSQThOCsrTYAnftzDCzIlPOc_DaBTErJ_1GgEL-YKjt1BDlc/s320/IMG_5424.5.13.12w.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aphid and stinging hairs <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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Insect activity grew significantly by June of last year. These plants turned into a zoo of sorts. Aphids abounded on many plants. Large, fat caterpillars were feeding on leaves. Some were hiding within neatly folded leaves shaped as tents. Others had already turned into immobile, colorful chrysalises.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-NB-8ho374X67IbCMMLT3q-GArLkfwFEgLuLRW5tVk_ZeMhHpEc9mUgvGD11zsV3N_vaGDy6QvPFdof4gtxXFjZJ7yTKIVnT-yBxwbAvC0CUJRUWpO4JxT6cGDTJR2t4gTsbakZ5B8I/s1600/IMG_6832.6.11.12w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="560" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-NB-8ho374X67IbCMMLT3q-GArLkfwFEgLuLRW5tVk_ZeMhHpEc9mUgvGD11zsV3N_vaGDy6QvPFdof4gtxXFjZJ7yTKIVnT-yBxwbAvC0CUJRUWpO4JxT6cGDTJR2t4gTsbakZ5B8I/s320/IMG_6832.6.11.12w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red admiral caterpillar <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLeJLIYpXdJ-0yQ3DBjXwF2wdbxOMiewM4jkxJ3z_zzHSliys5vafr0SrkV04-LwSnNN9kjMZD8tikgi2L47UlXs4Tw_2zJUH2hOWBEPJqBCIIMPLbSV8ZomkN4bYAdTRBTPW0AwAAPM/s1600/IMG_6841.6.11.12w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLeJLIYpXdJ-0yQ3DBjXwF2wdbxOMiewM4jkxJ3z_zzHSliys5vafr0SrkV04-LwSnNN9kjMZD8tikgi2L47UlXs4Tw_2zJUH2hOWBEPJqBCIIMPLbSV8ZomkN4bYAdTRBTPW0AwAAPM/s320/IMG_6841.6.11.12w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red admiral pupa or chrysalis <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult red admiral <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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I was happy to learn that such caterpillars would turn into the lovely admiral butterfly. Nettles can feed about twenty species of caterpillars. The admiral, painted lady, comma butterfly and the spectacular Io moth are perhaps the best known and loved ones.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma butterfly in winter attire <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Io moth<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/4807361596/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; 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font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">©</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anita Gould</a></td></tr>
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In summary, stinging nettles can enrich our diet and be a worthy addition to a butterfly garden.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">© Beatriz Moisset.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-56411607617609254322019-12-27T18:32:00.000-05:002019-12-27T21:08:30.511-05:00Ring in the New Year with Bluebells!<style type="text/css">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bells are ringing!<br />
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<span class="s1">A new decade fast approaches, but your optimism is challenged by reports of the Sixth Extinction; what to do? </span>Why not make a New Year’s Resolution to ring in the new by using more native plants in your garden? That’s a win-win resolution - you’ll have fun instead of dreading its fulfillment, and you will be helping sustain all the life in your local ecosystem. Renew your sense of hope with bluebells, a native plant as intriguing as it is beautiful.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1">With nearly 40 species native to the U.S. there is likely one you can grow, more on that later. You can’t beat their showy clusters of flowers, each one an exquisite tiny bell, all clustered together on a coil that lengthens into a graceful arch as the plant matures. Buds begin their journey clothed in pink, but four to six hours before each individual flower opens, its color is transformed by changing levels of PH within into robes of blue. Deeper blues appear on plants in more acidic soils. Occasionally a plant will stay pink, and even a few, same species, that are white.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<br />Growing Bluebells</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns, small as bluebells are blooming, make a good choice <br />
for interplanting, along with other natives</td></tr>
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In the eastern half of the U.S. the most common bluebell is <i>Mertensia virginica</i>, found from Georgia<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to Quebec and throughout much of the Midwest. These plants are ephemeral of course, meaning they emerge early in the spring and complete their life cycles before the forest canopy closes overhead. In the garden, replicate their natural habitat as much as possible, moist soils and part shade. Cooler sites will allow for more sun. Interplant bluebells with ferns, Solomon’s seal, (<i>Polygonatum biflorum</i>), cohosh, (<i>Actaea racemosa</i>), or twinleaf, (<i>Jeffersonia diphylla</i>), to fill in the spaces the bluebells leave by early summer, just as they would in the forest, too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-converted-space">In the Western half of the U.S. there is a variety of species to chose from, and most of these tend to persist throughout the summer. Like their relatives in the east, they have a long blooming period, four weeks or so, with occasional blooms appearing late in the season. Prairie bluebells, <i>Mertensia lanceolata, </i>are common in much of the West, and longflower bluebells, <i>Mertensia longiflora</i>, make it all the way to California. The pacific northwest has the charmingly named Oregon bluebell, <i>Mertensia bella Piper</i>. A bluebell for the northeastern salt coast is oyster plant, <i>Mertensia maritima</i>. In the super-hot spots like Florida, these bells will ring for you: lyreleaf sage, <i>Salvia lyrata</i>, learn about them here at <a href="http://greengardeningmatters./">GreenGardeningMatters.</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fascinating changes of one plant! Here the emergent purple leaves of a Virginia Bluebell, Mertensia virginica,<br />
are fading to green and revealing the buds at their center. The buds will morph from pink to blue as they mature.</td></tr>
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Information: Find and Grow Native Plants</h3>
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<span class="s1">Want more information on obtaining or cultivating native flowers, trees, or shrubs? Check out your local Native Plant Society’s web page. The American Horticultural Society maintains a list of all of <a href="https://www.ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/native-plant-societies" target="_blank">America’s Native Plant Societies</a>. T</span>he NPS websites have tons of information relevant to your particular growing area, and usually lists of local growers as well. Most of them provide contact information, too, and are eager to help you on your way. Maybe end of the year is great time for you to support your local NPS with a donation!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native bees need early bloomers. Long-tongued bees go in from the top.<br />
Short-tongued bees are called 'robbers because they go in from base, <br />
by-passing the pollen. But new research shows that far from being robbers,<br />
their struggles to cut slit at base may actually provide superior pollination.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Value to Wildlife</span></h3>
<span class="s1">So bluebells are fun to watch, but what about supporting the local ecosystem? Indeed, these plants, in all parts of the country, are especially important to the creatures who are springing to life first after a season of winter. The early emerging native bees need them, the hummingbird moths, butterflies and skippers. In warmer regions and in the west, they are blooming for the first arrival of the hummingbirds. Habitat destruction is contributing to the overall loss of these natives, so a place in your yard is an important contribution to their ability to persist into the future. We may not be able to save everything, but we can certainly strive to preserve as much as possible.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">As the new decade arrives you can help reverse the decline of songbirds, butterflies, bees, in fact, all of the pollinators - and all who depend on them - by supporting conservation efforts locally and globally, and by using natives in your garden and in your public spaces. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">Lead by example. <b>“Ring them bells!” Bluebells!</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Happy New Year!<br /><br />Sue Dingwell<br /><a href="https://cleangreennatives.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">CleanGreenNatives</a></span></span></div>
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</style>Sue Dingwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02525535736523273259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-43272755539946653432019-12-22T08:37:00.000-05:002020-02-04T22:26:04.362-05:00Giant Ironweed, a Tough, Eastern North American Wildflower<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzF4-R8CURiv9ol7-U9n07Opnkwl57ATOSfnvpRXAtF7VMut3i2jOR3HS96cRwhSiR3XujBUwoilHSgwY89sHHNUaDVZ95fcc0FJQJcIVE6pQE6ntFWtz8GyMcU4oqLX6dUZF_mV2e6vi/s1600/ironweed3-2019-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="650" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzF4-R8CURiv9ol7-U9n07Opnkwl57ATOSfnvpRXAtF7VMut3i2jOR3HS96cRwhSiR3XujBUwoilHSgwY89sHHNUaDVZ95fcc0FJQJcIVE6pQE6ntFWtz8GyMcU4oqLX6dUZF_mV2e6vi/s400/ironweed3-2019-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many butterflies visited the new ironweed including </span><span style="font-size: small;">this </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">beautiful giant swallowtail (</span><i style="font-size: medium;">Papilio cresphontes</i><span style="font-size: small;">).</span></td></tr>
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Why do we love native wildflowers in our yards? </h3>
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It's the butterflies, the birds, and the bees. As <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/doug-tallamy.html" target="_blank">Doug Tallamy</a> says, the plants in our yards need to do more than just be pretty. They should support wildlife and become part of the local ecosystem. And the best way to do this is to have a wide variety of native plants. This is why I was pleased when a giant ironweed (<i>Vernonia gigantea</i><span style="text-align: center;">) volunteered in my yard this year. I didn't notice it until it bloomed in the fall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxUKPGzlCMkrET_1-3NDEIZfyWl2WhTRNX-5TGplP48Y7TlcYQKJhgWpFSplYHRdqtHqtt5B_XtSWEaajvImnQTtkHlZq3Go8Yrn698AbRBXUnmrzM_VsGoPHCcakTGTPZkLRw5sk_5Qj/s1600/ironweed2019-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="550" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxUKPGzlCMkrET_1-3NDEIZfyWl2WhTRNX-5TGplP48Y7TlcYQKJhgWpFSplYHRdqtHqtt5B_XtSWEaajvImnQTtkHlZq3Go8Yrn698AbRBXUnmrzM_VsGoPHCcakTGTPZkLRw5sk_5Qj/s400/ironweed2019-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvukH6aX0a8eMbEKVsiaYFXHEGjvI8B6Bnfhs5OkBB9IP_YR2Lz8aAc6Hf9z3TJAOf7pm2qu1eSdCL1xMgeuK9jVZ-_ncyIa8TNLjfyW9tMv-46xeK_ZOfedkcxij7uJbS2SivSDWs9M4N/s1600/sunflowerwaterdrops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvukH6aX0a8eMbEKVsiaYFXHEGjvI8B6Bnfhs5OkBB9IP_YR2Lz8aAc6Hf9z3TJAOf7pm2qu1eSdCL1xMgeuK9jVZ-_ncyIa8TNLjfyW9tMv-46xeK_ZOfedkcxij7uJbS2SivSDWs9M4N/s200/sunflowerwaterdrops.jpg" width="197" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ironweed is in the daisy family (Asteraceae), but unlike daisies and sunflowers, ironweed has only disk florets that are loosely arranged into small flower heads.</span></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunflowers, like many members of the daisy family, have tight flower heads with disk florets in the center and ray florets acting as petals around the edge. </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z5DbjSCr6XlbsTunJuvBFEz1lyFEU3MY4ENjpDSBH4vXQus_mU1WXLGzf7ROnJQVmJ0l6C0DEBIj_Jw1dDYpS1A7HzA_qYQhmY28vEyPh3F3l7m2nAeH1K2f9SSpDr1vEW7t1fiLRJ-I/s1600/ironweedrangemap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="669" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z5DbjSCr6XlbsTunJuvBFEz1lyFEU3MY4ENjpDSBH4vXQus_mU1WXLGzf7ROnJQVmJ0l6C0DEBIj_Jw1dDYpS1A7HzA_qYQhmY28vEyPh3F3l7m2nAeH1K2f9SSpDr1vEW7t1fiLRJ-I/s320/ironweedrangemap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Native range for giant ironweed (V<i>ernonia gigantea</i>)<br />Map from USDA.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="text-align: center;">
A late summer bloomer</span></h3>
<span style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Giant ironweed blooms in summer into the fall. It attracts many pollinators, particularly butterflies. It's a robust, perennial wildflower, is adaptable and is found in wet to mesic meadows, along forest margins, and next to stream banks. Because of its flexibility, it's useful in the landscape, but keep in mind that it's not particularly drought tolerant.<br />
<br />
It is an excellent addition to a butterfly garden or mixed wildflower meadow in full sun or partial shade. It can grow to five feet or more, so it works best when located in the back of the planting or in the midst of a meadow.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">
Remove lawn and wildflowers will come</span></h3>
<span style="text-align: center;">
<br />So how did I gain an ironweed volunteer when I've never seen any in the neighborhood? Okay, let's go back to 2012 when my husband and I moved the shed to an opening just behind the garage. We ended up with a weird piece of lawn next to the slope of our raised septic drainfield. In the 2012 photo below, it's where the chairs are and behind the chairs there was some hidden ginger planted on the slope. The raised drainfield is managed as a meadow and it gets cut back once a year or so.<br />
<br />
I decided to remove the lawn and the ginger (<i>Curcuma petiolata</i>) to create a sloped wildflower meadow that would not get cut back every year. I started by planting a beautyberry bush (<i>Callicarpa americana</i>) toward the back but with enough space so it would not block access to the top of the drainfield. Then I worked to remove the lawn in several stages. I planted some wildflowers such as some blazing star (<i>Liatris spicata</i>) and spider wort (<i>Tradescantia ohiensis</i>), but many others have volunteered. Over the years, I have pulled out excess Spanish needles (<i>Bidens alba</i>) and pulled back the St. Augustine grass that crawled in over the years, but mostly I've ended up with a nice mix of bunching grasses, goldenrods, coreopsis, and more.<br />
<br />
It has been fairly stable until the ironweed appeared. I tried to figure out if there are populations nearby, so after I discovered it, I scouted the roadside ditches and a conservation area about half a mile away, but didn't find any. Then I realized that it was growing near one of those blazing stars had been planted. So my theory is that a seed was in that soil and had been dormant for a while. But I'm happy to have it and even though profiles say that this plant can take over. I look forward to having this surprise native wildflower in my mini-meadow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWhOnaaayRCvzln_S5ZKKOdpUB53y-0or_dajvVT7JAHsWma2n7KbQfXV-BcwVNd9H46Vfi41mdPmyXuMifZRIYnALR3VKrIaXHIRZqRUiD2cbkRG5CecvRr_5lPywJTHI-OId7O7qPnL/s1600/shedin2012-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWhOnaaayRCvzln_S5ZKKOdpUB53y-0or_dajvVT7JAHsWma2n7KbQfXV-BcwVNd9H46Vfi41mdPmyXuMifZRIYnALR3VKrIaXHIRZqRUiD2cbkRG5CecvRr_5lPywJTHI-OId7O7qPnL/s320/shedin2012-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPa30kz2D3RFpRuZVUGbRVTLzNycsCU6LboXG_GAi3qXM5gHVBJbDCkTPHgMhNJYxOToJJP6Zd6Xsovtd6SDhBP4WR8XuReJV9RHnmTJptmCwAos6sHKjVeoXSrwn-MmOMa27LdcpIWQmF/s1600/shedin2017-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPa30kz2D3RFpRuZVUGbRVTLzNycsCU6LboXG_GAi3qXM5gHVBJbDCkTPHgMhNJYxOToJJP6Zd6Xsovtd6SDhBP4WR8XuReJV9RHnmTJptmCwAos6sHKjVeoXSrwn-MmOMa27LdcpIWQmF/s320/shedin2017-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wildflower meadow is where the chairs were located in 2012 after <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2012/08/two-geezers-and-shed.html" target="_blank">we'd moved the tool shed</a> to this new location. Several years later, we also <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/08/reworking-elevated-rain-barrels.html" target="_blank">replaced the wooden stand for the rain barrels</a>. </td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2018, looking back at the wildflower area to the left of the shed. In the foreground is the exuberant <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/09/end-of-seminole-pumpkin-season.html" target="_blank">Seminole pumpkin</a> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(<i>Cucurbita moschata</i>).</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVJvMdDV9inLk8SYtFfVDyiWc7Xd0zbntNwdythgN3pluWnJagayGoyQJHwUoi2W5k5t04SAbWFHMqgovF5qjEWH3aZ_9AkML545mhgH6JCnYy8rYcsIz2dx0MHWVaBeozIzUDB3kazXv/s1600/ironweed2-2019-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="650" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVJvMdDV9inLk8SYtFfVDyiWc7Xd0zbntNwdythgN3pluWnJagayGoyQJHwUoi2W5k5t04SAbWFHMqgovF5qjEWH3aZ_9AkML545mhgH6JCnYy8rYcsIz2dx0MHWVaBeozIzUDB3kazXv/s320/ironweed2-2019-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoXjCAyitMCj70VnVvWjBIj7vUaryiUWr1Z20UqNfQ0i3xEvfaE5g-n83C_iJ_7R6sFo_gYvoa49lR47TEQon0amZ0sOo0zmu3DZ1lR-0ukqMrgnvXeFyZYfoqa2B5YKRvP2kMszwU4CE/s1600/ironweed4-2019-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoXjCAyitMCj70VnVvWjBIj7vUaryiUWr1Z20UqNfQ0i3xEvfaE5g-n83C_iJ_7R6sFo_gYvoa49lR47TEQon0amZ0sOo0zmu3DZ1lR-0ukqMrgnvXeFyZYfoqa2B5YKRvP2kMszwU4CE/s320/ironweed4-2019-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wildflower area with some planted wildflowers, but mostly filled with volunteers.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This same meadow area in a different season..</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Ginny Stibolt is a botanist, a native plant enthusiast, and a garden writer with five books and 100s of articles. To purchase her books or read her other articles go to her blog: <a href="http://www.greengardeningmatters.com/" target="_blank">www.GreenGardeningMatters.com</a><br />
</span>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-57186244090094044162018-01-24T15:54:00.000-05:002018-01-24T16:10:08.619-05:00Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am chasing away the winter blues by sorting through photographs of my butterflies captured in 2017. I hope you might enjoy the bright colors and beautiful patterns over at my <a href="http://caroldukeflowers.com/butterflies-of-2017-2/">Garden Blog</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6-QitA1X0I0ZVB7v-RaJ-7YAwg6xAD2Z3rCE9wKnVcOcUml31XdH49b3-XWYELQOA3YB_lsuHJGK6BB5yxJQ7_h23E_14WGj3eZj7GCJ15iywt6twJ9em8ZGvHzItVwp9gp88vIWrb0/s1600/DSC_2462+web1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6-QitA1X0I0ZVB7v-RaJ-7YAwg6xAD2Z3rCE9wKnVcOcUml31XdH49b3-XWYELQOA3YB_lsuHJGK6BB5yxJQ7_h23E_14WGj3eZj7GCJ15iywt6twJ9em8ZGvHzItVwp9gp88vIWrb0/s320/DSC_2462+web1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> All Best Wishes and Happy Butterflying for 2018!</span></div>
</div>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067132532095325169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-44670793149234375432017-03-13T22:07:00.000-04:002017-03-25T14:39:00.640-04:00Bumble Bees: Panda Bears of the Insect World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxUnckmsvUIdQNZTf-1Kl33Ce7FgkYE4IppAVIZu5gayyF-HjLYN1GQ9miV_4ZrCStuxljYE7jmu5zcGQbbS4lD2VJbPRCK2F-x4PP6PX-R7b5gMOp-fzUhLFIk6jHEYm1OoAr6IMlR8/s1600/IMG_0670.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxUnckmsvUIdQNZTf-1Kl33Ce7FgkYE4IppAVIZu5gayyF-HjLYN1GQ9miV_4ZrCStuxljYE7jmu5zcGQbbS4lD2VJbPRCK2F-x4PP6PX-R7b5gMOp-fzUhLFIk6jHEYm1OoAr6IMlR8/s320/IMG_0670.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The impatient bumble bee (<i>Bombus
impatiens</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the most common bumble bee in the
Eastern US</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Most people hate or fear insects with
just a few exceptions. Bumble bees have enough charisma to be loved,
at least by children. You find children’s books, toys, and
Halloween costumes about bumble bees. Perhaps what makes them
acceptable is their fuzzy roundish appearance reminiscent of a tiny
bear. This positive image is reinforced by their cheerful buzzing
sound and their penchant to visit flowers. This is one insect which<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140701122706/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/saving-bumble-bees.html">people find easy to accept in a wildlife garden</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We all have a mental image of a striped
black and yellow furry insect going from flower to flower. And we are
all familiar with their humming sound, much celebrated in
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee. It is probably this
sound that earned them the name of “humble bee,” with which they
are sometimes known in England, from Middle Dutch “hommel” or Old
High German, “humbal.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There isn’t just one kind of bumble
bee, but many. In fact forty-eight species live in the United States.
Their basic pattern of black and yellow varies quite a bit. The more
colorful ones sport orange-and-yellow or whitish-yellow stripes
contrasting against the dark background. I am only familiar with a
few of those that live in the Eastern United States, and I confess
that I have difficulty telling some of them apart. That is not
entirely my fault. Certain species of bumble bees are mimics of each
other. This seems to be beneficial to them because hungry birds need
to learn the unpleasant lesson of being stung only once and avoid all
bumble bees with similar coloration.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZqH5emveuIzSt9VuY_-zPqml0WAVGcGGYS5YXDSN0NUcxMp97a5ZITzJ_lc7y6nzQ2phZwgyiySIXqiRJiNxLD-NRNCbZcZ9gZ5jiAZt9DQzujEDG5nQlnLGP274kpxNiZzMMlJS0v8/s1600/P7276645.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZqH5emveuIzSt9VuY_-zPqml0WAVGcGGYS5YXDSN0NUcxMp97a5ZITzJ_lc7y6nzQ2phZwgyiySIXqiRJiNxLD-NRNCbZcZ9gZ5jiAZt9DQzujEDG5nQlnLGP274kpxNiZzMMlJS0v8/s320/P7276645.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tricolored bumble bee (<i>Bombus
ternarius</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Several species share a similar pattern</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bumble bees are important members of
the wildlife fauna of a garden and they are fun to watch. They, along
with other bees, pollinate flowers. Some are valued enough by farmers
that a small industry of<a href="http://bumblebee.org/nestboxes.htm"> bumble bee nest boxes</a> is growing steadily.
They are valued by green-house tomato growers, in particular. Nobody
else, not even honey bees, those workhorses of agricultural
pollination, can do a better job at pollinating tomatoes. Moreover,
they can live happily inside green houses with minimal care.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomatoes, and also blueberries and
azaleas, make it hard for pollinators to reach the pollen. Their
anthers, the flower part that holds the pollen, don’t split open
exposing the pollen and giving flower visitors easy access to it.
Instead, they keep their treasure encased with only a small opening
at their tips through which the tiny grains can escape if handled
properly. Bumble bees are pros at this task. They cling to the flower
and give it a skillful shake by shivering their entire little bodies
emitting a sound in middle-C, just the right kind of vibration to
knock off the pollen grains and send them flying. Most of them land
on the hairy bumble bee. The sound is unmistakable, even for somebody
as musically challenged as me and cannot be mistaken by the buzzing
sound of flying. You will recognize this sound next time you watch
bumble bees at work in your tomato garden. You can also watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIM4dc0Rz_Y">thevideo</a>. This process is usually referred to as “buzz pollination”.
I prefer to call it the “salt shaker technique.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like all bees, the females have
stingers they may use in self defense, although they are not inclined
to do so unless severely molested or if their nests are under threat.
When they are collecting pollen or nectar at flowers, one can even
take advantage of their good nature by petting them. I have had fun
doing this many times. All the annoyed busy insect does is stretch
one leg like trying to push your finger away. If it gets really
irritated it will stretch two legs or more; then you can almost hear
it yelling “quit it, enough already!”<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPadG2OfEAPNDalTFjjmcu6rGKEztPhChV-8MrQmyUAa24qJ_au1k0pNmNJi_WmCSRQOKNv_VMvECYKZkG7kNU4ak8MKSAtAiF9U_NxgywJJpuBbpag9g7NYfa32y1TkDqEkoidWT6zqg/s1600/pet.bumblebee.9.10.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPadG2OfEAPNDalTFjjmcu6rGKEztPhChV-8MrQmyUAa24qJ_au1k0pNmNJi_WmCSRQOKNv_VMvECYKZkG7kNU4ak8MKSAtAiF9U_NxgywJJpuBbpag9g7NYfa32y1TkDqEkoidWT6zqg/s320/pet.bumblebee.9.10.w.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Petting or pestering a bumble bee</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
Well, I don’t
recommend that you or your children try this. Don’t blame me if
anything happens. A friend of mine takes advantage of the fact that
males don’t sting. Sometimes she demonstrates bumble bee-petting to
children but only with males. The best time is the early morning
since males spend the night on flowers, unlike females who sleep
inside their nests underground. They are sluggish at that time
because of the morning chill and because they are just waking up. So,
if you insist on trying, remember that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6WKVkonNS65TV843RuqFou8WZU5UACHLk0e46mwt9qzbYMVMsz0hnZBio3spFNHB_0E0mpqCMqAj3o9VgIzJdqP15BYVH12CkE69NPGIdWhX2pQgt99iBDo0P91dP7Z2X5qtM824bn0/s1600/MVI_2673+02tongue.4.2.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6WKVkonNS65TV843RuqFou8WZU5UACHLk0e46mwt9qzbYMVMsz0hnZBio3spFNHB_0E0mpqCMqAj3o9VgIzJdqP15BYVH12CkE69NPGIdWhX2pQgt99iBDo0P91dP7Z2X5qtM824bn0/s320/MVI_2673+02tongue.4.2.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This mason bee (<i>Osmia cornifrons</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
illustrates the tongue’s length of
some bees</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Bumble bees
along with some relatives, honey bees and carpenter bees, and also a
few members of other families, leaf cutter bees, are called
long-tongued bees. Their mouth parts are fairly long when compared to
that of other bees such as andrenids and colletids which are called
short-tongued bees. I wish I had a photo of a bumble bee sticking out
its tongue. But I can show you a mason bee, <i>Osmia</i>, at the entrance of
its nest with its impressive proboscis fully deployed. It is easy to
see how such bees can take advantage of long-throated flowers or
those with a spur.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVjCWINcIKa7LJ4TQhoL0CNvozb5Unb2mBPtJb-6njv6lc5y_bvcnBWS908bUBljFhxCmGBLif91MUSbbuJlfak5WYE4IcEuhKB3Cn8acWMzhyphenhyphenL-ZITHW64jKWROkVZB-Dg7A1RC1c3s/s1600/IMG_1772.6.11..Bbimculatus..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVjCWINcIKa7LJ4TQhoL0CNvozb5Unb2mBPtJb-6njv6lc5y_bvcnBWS908bUBljFhxCmGBLif91MUSbbuJlfak5WYE4IcEuhKB3Cn8acWMzhyphenhyphenL-ZITHW64jKWROkVZB-Dg7A1RC1c3s/s320/IMG_1772.6.11..Bbimculatus..jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two spotted bumble bee <i>(Bombus
bimaculatus</i>) on beebalm</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
Despite
belonging to the “long-tongued” bee category, some bumble bees
deserve this title more than others. One of the truly long-tongued
ones is the two-spotted bumble bee (<i>Bombus bimaculatus</i>). It can be
seen <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45284874@N00/8464630329/in/photostream">drinking nectar from flowers such as bee balm</a>, <i>Monarda</i>, unlike
some cheaters like carpenter bees. The latter takes a shortcut by
slashing the base of the flower and reaching its goal without
entering the flower the “legitimate” way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2DIjTFqgOblltOygN0BrIlaSbn0MgDHT10ydFISgAjkhgMX6rIELP1Cz0VSDWBD5Wm4job7cq2PDX6i91w53f8rHuAHDzjSKPesplabUCwhNnYhszy05KL3wj82zw9-Sv4a-2qaAX1A/s1600/bumblebee.impatiens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2DIjTFqgOblltOygN0BrIlaSbn0MgDHT10ydFISgAjkhgMX6rIELP1Cz0VSDWBD5Wm4job7cq2PDX6i91w53f8rHuAHDzjSKPesplabUCwhNnYhszy05KL3wj82zw9-Sv4a-2qaAX1A/s320/bumblebee.impatiens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bumble bee visiting jewelweed</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is also
interesting to see some bumble bees visiting jewelweed (<i>Impatiens
capensis</i>) flowers. They plunge their plump, little bodies into the
flower, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25LidRR2NwM">fitting inside like a finger in a glove</a>. Even so the nectar
is some distance from the entrance, at the end of the spur; so the
bumble bee needs to stretch its tongue all the way. It is such an
easy task for this flower visitor that it is in and out in the blink
of an eye, having drained the stored nectar before the photographer
has had enough time to snap a shot. They show <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140701225115/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/2012-the-year-of-discovering-native-bees/">similar behavior whenvisiting <i>Penstemon</i></a> or beardtongue.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The interesting stories about bumble
bees don’t end here. I will save others for later. Stay tuned for
the next installments.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bumble Bees: It is a Jungle out There</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Life Cycle of a Bumble Bee and its
Colony<br />
Brainy Bumble Bees <br />
Bumble Bees in the Native Plant Garden<br />
Bumble Bee Impersonators </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2013, Beatriz Moisset. First
published in<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140702004537/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/bumble-bees/"> Beautiful Wildlife Garden</a>, 2013</div>
</div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-2034267664107739542017-02-25T20:48:00.002-05:002017-03-25T14:39:28.905-04:00Viburnum Under Siege. Part Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Editor’s note: this is part two of
this series. Don’t miss <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2017/02/viburnum-under-siege.html">part one of Viburnum Under Siege</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The accidentally introduced pest,
viburnum leaf beetle (<i>Pyrrhalta viburni</i>) or VLB for short, can destroy a shrub in just a couple of years. Unfortunately it continues to spread through North America. So I am trying to
learn more about it, hoping that we can protect the viburnums in our
area. This is the information that I have gathered from the sites
listed and from my own observations. It doesn’t look very
encouraging.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkqxDx8ftd6i_g5U9PmbXEUb4J807Q4fRP798SvwPpt2ua3eVNGUsHuUKoHC0teQcTBz9gy08rYijnjzG8_V44cq5B7VGI9DS3X0tVkXxGvH_Qxw9FywMkO0nWkRc8Jxy9_h-NlEpo3o/s1600/IMG_5027.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkqxDx8ftd6i_g5U9PmbXEUb4J807Q4fRP798SvwPpt2ua3eVNGUsHuUKoHC0teQcTBz9gy08rYijnjzG8_V44cq5B7VGI9DS3X0tVkXxGvH_Qxw9FywMkO0nWkRc8Jxy9_h-NlEpo3o/s320/IMG_5027.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQp9awi3Anik4FroZ_7X3W0Z-1kPAEFgmQibOWWJGU7KHudhBvDaKGtmCnxhYw9lfHWjA2PIuSzolT0VnV9VbtilGzl6BgY1R-yFWvjugPmu4rTqpyT5MOp5WEotq-rZvAhipF_cEIso/s1600/IMG_2950.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQp9awi3Anik4FroZ_7X3W0Z-1kPAEFgmQibOWWJGU7KHudhBvDaKGtmCnxhYw9lfHWjA2PIuSzolT0VnV9VbtilGzl6BgY1R-yFWvjugPmu4rTqpyT5MOp5WEotq-rZvAhipF_cEIso/s320/IMG_2950.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">VLB
larvae and leaf damage</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The grubs or larvae emerge from eggs
early in the spring. They are yellowish or greenish, with black
markings and can reach one third or a quarter of an inch in length.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They spend a few weeks feeding on the
leaves by making numerous little holes between the veins. These holes
are easy to identify. By early or mid June they climb down along the
stems and bury themselves in the ground to pupate. When I searched
for them in mid June, I found none, only the damage remained.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By the end of June or in July, the
adults emerge and start feeding on the same shrubs, making more holes
that look similar to the ones made by the larvae. The adult beetles
are about a quarter of an inch long, brown, with a golden fuzz
coating the body.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9zmhyWTRKcXDga8mymeOS_gtE-oFyIjIzSKYkWCcwZCq26OQfzEPsAjtLYNfwPTWBn6UNO_Dgo1unfw5ZcgDl1r0Q-yvD8gt1Cg0OvrrJ0BUMA6WeN4ANTPJKd0wVoB1tv5CIkKQbVY/s1600/IMG_2524.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9zmhyWTRKcXDga8mymeOS_gtE-oFyIjIzSKYkWCcwZCq26OQfzEPsAjtLYNfwPTWBn6UNO_Dgo1unfw5ZcgDl1r0Q-yvD8gt1Cg0OvrrJ0BUMA6WeN4ANTPJKd0wVoB1tv5CIkKQbVY/s320/IMG_2524.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">VLB
egg caps on terminal twig</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span> </span></span></span>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Females lay eggs on twigs, after
chewing up a round hole. They cover a batch of about 8 eggs with a
cap made of sawdust and their own feces. They can lay as many as
seventy batches aligned in rows near the far end of a twig. The eggs
spend the winter well protected against predators and the weather
under this nasty mess. Their only serious threat to their survival is
the crushing mechanism that many non-native viburnums possess.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most native viburnums, such as
arrowwood (<i>V. dentatum</i>) and possum-haw (<i>V. nudum</i>) are either very
susceptible or susceptible to VLB. The only native ones that are
moderately resistant are the nannyberry viburnum (<i>V. lentago</i>) and the
blackhaw viburnum (<i>V. prunifolium</i>). On the other hand, many of the
non-native species are very resistant. So I see our native plants
being hit by a double whammy, first by the pest itself and second by nurseries
selling “pest free viburnums,” meaning non-native ones.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8rt5exhKalC5JLxu3CxQ4lc1pOrU9ZWl2xtJ7zc-ua4BNkMQdfmoSpFjdE6HaNDMI2B1HEFWrziWyMkjY0o14xTZKSUGZMoVQPxz8HekZaBWaoHbUjitaq9Hbu8OUkLNPeaRCZroehw/s1600/IMG_5959.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8rt5exhKalC5JLxu3CxQ4lc1pOrU9ZWl2xtJ7zc-ua4BNkMQdfmoSpFjdE6HaNDMI2B1HEFWrziWyMkjY0o14xTZKSUGZMoVQPxz8HekZaBWaoHbUjitaq9Hbu8OUkLNPeaRCZroehw/s320/IMG_5959.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrowwood,
<i>Viburnum dentatum</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Cornell University site has a
number of suggestions on how to fight this invasive pest starting
with placing sticky traps around the base of the stems of shrubs in
the spring to prevent the full grown larvae from crawling down to
pupate. It is too late to do that now, so we will have to be ready
next year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JkcheQC8vBs0vcSr8xtMcCcXie-nLjb3tytDBBCt7zAQJssy7v6NTJWcB4BrcnAsoxFr2qCycHnbhv8y4drYOLHKIwAkeDwveENFvjg16_zp4I3hR_J-oFGC1w0kHhJT4h1ZHKxFBho/s1600/IMG_1933.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JkcheQC8vBs0vcSr8xtMcCcXie-nLjb3tytDBBCt7zAQJssy7v6NTJWcB4BrcnAsoxFr2qCycHnbhv8y4drYOLHKIwAkeDwveENFvjg16_zp4I3hR_J-oFGC1w0kHhJT4h1ZHKxFBho/s320/IMG_1933.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult
beetle</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The adults are active now, mid July, so
I have been trying to collect them by shaking the branches, catching
them on some white sheets underneath and dropping them in soapy
water. I suspect that the numbers will grow larger in the next few
weeks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the first frost it will be time
to start inspecting the stems for signs of eggs and to prune and
destroy infested twigs. They should be easy to identify thanks to
photos in the mentioned sites. This is perhaps the most effective
means of control, especially if your shrubs are relatively small. I fear that all these measures combined
may not be enough to stop the advance of the VLB, particularly when
there are many tall bushes among poison ivy and other shrubs; but we
plan to do our best.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The sites listed also suggest some
pesticides; but I haven’t considered those.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If worse comes to worse there are some
soaps and oils that may be of help, especially in early spring when
the young larvae are emerging from the eggs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope that we can reduce the damage in
our area so that birds passing by in the fall continue to find the
nutritious berries of arrowwood and so moths also continue to find
food.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am interested in other suggestions. Have you detected this invasive pest in
your gardens? I suggest that you look for the characteristic leaf
damage and egg cases. Let us know if you find any.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Examples of native species highly
susceptible to VLB</b>:</div>
<ul>
<li>Arrowwood viburnums (<i>V.
dentatum</i> complex)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Possum haw or smooth witherod viburnum
(<i>V. nudum</i>)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>American cranberrybush viburnum (<i>V.
opulus</i> var. <i>americana</i>; a variety of the European cranberry
viburnum, <i>V. opulus</i>)</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Examples of non-native species highly
resistant to VLB</b>:</div>
<ul>
<li>Doublefile viburnum (<i>V. plicatum</i>).
Eastern Asia</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tea viburnum (<i>V. setigerum</i>). Central
and Western China</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Siebold viburnum (<i>V. sieboldii</i>).
Eastern Asia</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Koreanspice viburnum (<i>V. carlesii</i>).
Eastern Asia</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Resources</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/354920">Bugguide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/">Cornell University</a><br />
<a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/beetles/viburnum_leaf_beetle.htm">University of Florida</a><br />
<a href="http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-39">Ohio State University</a><br />
<a href="https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/CAPS/pestInfo/viburnumLeaf.htm">Purdue State University</a><br />
<br />
© 2011, Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20150404134624/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/viburnum-under-siege-part-two.html">Beautiful Wildlife Garden</a>, 2011 </div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-78718483339782717782017-02-21T17:35:00.000-05:002017-07-04T15:14:40.739-04:00Viburnum Under Siege<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CZiCNu9e5RVOWSJHkM5fioqU1a82U3CUSyPVgVcdD3-3y44j0zoTSDl2lkke5R-ZGD0Rduk0kCyQiCIZEYx9TLiadvbe5kry8hnpgr9bjUvPQJ4UULfGYLstCLr4QBjEmGe5S6BViK4/s1600/IMG_1442.6.16.11w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CZiCNu9e5RVOWSJHkM5fioqU1a82U3CUSyPVgVcdD3-3y44j0zoTSDl2lkke5R-ZGD0Rduk0kCyQiCIZEYx9TLiadvbe5kry8hnpgr9bjUvPQJ4UULfGYLstCLr4QBjEmGe5S6BViK4/s320/IMG_1442.6.16.11w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Leaf
damage inflicted on arrowwood</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by
the viburnum leaf beetle</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></span></div>
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</tbody></table>
The shoots of <i>Viburnum dentatum</i> are
thin, strong and straight. Native Americans used them for arrow
shafts. That is why this shrub is often called arrowwood. Until
recently it was considered as a plant free from serious pests. Now,
the arrowwoods in my area are under attack by an invasive leaf
beetle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Last May (2010), I began noticing leaves full
of holes (skeletonized); something that I have never seen before. I
finally spotted the culprits, little bugs hiding on the underside of
damaged leaves. They look somewhat like caterpillars, but not quite;
they are greenish, with black dots. A visit to the <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/354920">Bugguide</a> site helped me
identify them and provided links to several university sites full of
information (see below). They are the larvae of the viburnum leaf
beetle (VLB for short, <i>Pyrrhalta viburni</i>), an introduced pest from
The Old World. Both the larvae and adults of this beetle feed
exclusively on a variety of species of viburnum.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd7aKxu9eNwdpIxDIpQKtq8wMpxqYEKwrGpRCAVyDJKhhM826k-yLnFBFNdGlE4ZZJuREmJQxlYdeED1PdBGdSMRfLBcs2U7VWmfQ7JOCnO3lxAPxdIOfQ6uhOIO-xmGmR8xMfWbf5SM/s1600/IMG_2932.5.24.11w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd7aKxu9eNwdpIxDIpQKtq8wMpxqYEKwrGpRCAVyDJKhhM826k-yLnFBFNdGlE4ZZJuREmJQxlYdeED1PdBGdSMRfLBcs2U7VWmfQ7JOCnO3lxAPxdIOfQ6uhOIO-xmGmR8xMfWbf5SM/s320/IMG_2932.5.24.11w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Viburnum
leaf beetle larva and leaf damage</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>In its place of origin, the beetle and the viburnum have been fighting an
escalating war for perhaps as long as millions of years. The female
lays its eggs in holes made on thin twigs of the plant and plugs the
batches of eggs with sawdust and feces. The plant develops a thick
and hard mass of scar tissue that crushes the eggs. The beetle fights
back by producing larger and larger numbers of eggs, so that, at
least, a few escape the crushing weapon. Also, several females lay
their egg masses close together, overwhelming the capacity of the
twig to develop scar tissue. The plant responds by getting better at
making scar tissue. The struggle continues without serious damage to
the plant and without either adversary going extinct. We could call
it an armed truce.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this scene enter the <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20130927132657/http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/just-say-no-to-the-plant-zoo-mentality.html">humanhorticulturists and their quest for exotic beauties</a> to add to
gardens, a noble endeavor it would seem. Who would have known the
unintended consequences? It is easy to see how some beetle eggs were
carried overseas along with nursery stock. When they arrived in this
continent, it probably took them a number of years to make the
transition from their familiar species of viburnum to our native
ones; but, once they did it, they found a defenseless plant. None of
our viburnum species had reasons to develop a defense weapon against
an enemy that they had never met. They are easily overcome by the
onslaught of the many hundreds of larvae that emerge from the eggs
laid by each female. Healthy shrubs can be turned into gray skeletons
in just a couple of years.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncHfc61gX-MU782_zuhFp-JVKDM2Pj9LPmFbgK6nRdKV2JFGwnn0P1corb3qJIV8kISUdSu3gqu7asUgBPPjnkr4xfuQBAp9wdw7FH8maZZ4dYS-HuPIndHSo0KO__e0-U9NCPUf0TvM/s1600/IMG_1932.7.3.11w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncHfc61gX-MU782_zuhFp-JVKDM2Pj9LPmFbgK6nRdKV2JFGwnn0P1corb3qJIV8kISUdSu3gqu7asUgBPPjnkr4xfuQBAp9wdw7FH8maZZ4dYS-HuPIndHSo0KO__e0-U9NCPUf0TvM/s320/IMG_1932.7.3.11w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Adult
viburnum leaf beetles</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©
Beatriz Moisset</span></span></span></div>
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Annapolis Royal is a town in Nova
Scotia that has been the port of entry for numerous kinds of
horticultural stock, including some Asian and European viburnums, for
more than a century. It has also been the site of a very important
nursery. The viburnum leaf beetle was noticed for the first time, and
soon forgotten, in the 1920s not far from this area. Not much
happened until 1947 when it was collected and identified once again.
And, for a second time, it was quickly forgotten, just a minor
entomological curiosity. Another 40 years went by until the VLB and
its damage to native viburnums began to be noticed in a number of
places. Research and surveys began in the seventies and eighties with
the object of studying the possibility of an invasion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The spread of this pest has been
gaining momentum since then. It is found in Canada and north eastern
United States. Concern is growing, motivating some to say that this
situation has the potential of “. . . verging on ecological
disaster” (Small and Catling, 2005). The National Agricultural Pest
Information System has been monitoring the advance of the beetle.
They just added Montgomery county, PA, because of my finding. The
story of the VLB is reminiscent to that of the chestnut blight and
the hemlock woolly adelgid, to name just the best known examples of
pests introduced with horticultural stock.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
According to the <a href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=VIBUR">USDA plant profile</a>,
there are 30 species of viburnum in the country, 15 of which are
native. The others have been introduced from Europe or Asia. About
half of the native ones are in the threatened or endangered category.
Viburnum shrubs are present in our gardens and they also form part of
the understory of many forests throughout North America. Their loss
would be significant to wildlife. Their berries supply food for birds
in the fall and winter. They are host plants for a number of moths,
which in turn become food for baby birds. Among the moths that feed
on viburnum we count the delightful hummingbird moth and the
spectacular Io, imperial and cecropia moths.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In part II I will provide information
on beetle identification and methods of control.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>More Resources</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/">Viburnum Leaf Beetle Citizen Science</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/beetles/viburnum_leaf_beetle.htm">University of Florida</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/viburnum-leaf-beetle">Viburnum Leaf Beetle Fact Sheet</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/viburnum_leaf_beetle_now_in_michigan">Viburnum Leaf Beetle</a> (MSU)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://pest.ceris.purdue.edu/pest.php?code=INAMGUA">Viburnum Leaf Beetle Survey Status</a> (Purdue University)<br />
<a href="https://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/viburnumleaf.html">Viburnum Leaf Beetle</a> (Massachusetts Introduced Pest Outreach Project)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Have you seen evidence of Viburnum Leaf
Beetle in Your Wildlife Garden?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2017/02/viburnum-under-siege-part-two.html"><b>Viburnum Under Siege. Part Two</b></a><br />
<br />
© 2011, Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20150417071447/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/viburnum-under-siege.html">Beautiful Wildlife Garden</a>, 2011 </div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-61973653251327274492017-02-15T14:21:00.000-05:002017-03-25T14:40:18.326-04:00Pollinators and the Garden in Winter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YDwJrmL4Dq1l-a7drVzydoSSCG9LvAThvT0okZXMj9pJcNy652Lna7zqXNWQZADL7CS-hpUXI5rqstMUhrkdJrE50H0HSiey93qoVhvyJRlSak9eJKLqAjqvC92ukCLQhPvgMFVHamQ/s1600/IMG_1640.1.26.08w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YDwJrmL4Dq1l-a7drVzydoSSCG9LvAThvT0okZXMj9pJcNy652Lna7zqXNWQZADL7CS-hpUXI5rqstMUhrkdJrE50H0HSiey93qoVhvyJRlSak9eJKLqAjqvC92ukCLQhPvgMFVHamQ/s320/IMG_1640.1.26.08w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Man-made
bee houses</div>
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Good
replacement for holes in old logs</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">©Beatriz
Moisset</span></div>
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Do you ask yourself: where do
pollinators go in winter? We see them through the warm seasons
visiting flowers and doing their invaluable job. But, then what
happens to them? Putting aside the few, such as hummingbirds and
monarch butterflies, which fly to better climates, all the others
find a secluded place to spend the cold months. Like hibernating
bears, many fatten themselves by stocking up on supplies and then go
to sleep. Others rest as eggs or in an immature state such as a larva
or pupa. Either way, they need a sheltered space safe from predators,
parasites and excessive cold.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I know that some gardeners, with the
best of intentions, destroy these vital shelters. It may be a good
idea to take a look at all the places used by pollinators during the
winter. This is one case in which a little untidiness may be a good
thing.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most bees are ground nesters; this
means that they build their nests in the ground, preferably a bare
spot, dry and sunny and not subject to flooding. Sometimes there is a
patch large enough for a whole town of nests; other times, just a few
square inches of soil free from vegetation fill the needs of one
enterprising bee raising a family. The mother bee dies at the end of
the season, her mission accomplished. Her babies will emerge from the
nests next spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHqL9cpFYrdcBz-V70u1jKaLffkrRrLu-6jWM6XvutYNv0eojMAFCz3yqr9H6OK1WmNBKM1stqHytCiWZaLR5ojZw6fWEONx4tjfepoXCRzVDgmBP8IRH9-cVjSAB4ruGBNR_BNdVURU/s1600/IMG_7201.7.07.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHqL9cpFYrdcBz-V70u1jKaLffkrRrLu-6jWM6XvutYNv0eojMAFCz3yqr9H6OK1WmNBKM1stqHytCiWZaLR5ojZw6fWEONx4tjfepoXCRzVDgmBP8IRH9-cVjSAB4ruGBNR_BNdVURU/s320/IMG_7201.7.07.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
Ground nest
of a digger bee</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
©Beatriz
Moisset</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYGsyr37-6FD1SsXqANV25HrM5OJlvQORRqDphSODLb4GO-HLwL2SgHpiCFyRcjTWE1Yq9dDyZkRvuAYSXaTW-zmd9_HOwUo38eo32ir8ZlANH5mRCXFb5bxlA5x0ik9RbhKxJNuJVUg/s1600/IMG_3077.6.29.11.fcw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYGsyr37-6FD1SsXqANV25HrM5OJlvQORRqDphSODLb4GO-HLwL2SgHpiCFyRcjTWE1Yq9dDyZkRvuAYSXaTW-zmd9_HOwUo38eo32ir8ZlANH5mRCXFb5bxlA5x0ik9RbhKxJNuJVUg/s320/IMG_3077.6.29.11.fcw.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
Not
anthills but a small town of
</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<i>Lasioglossum</i>
bees</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
©Beatriz
Moisset
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bumble bees find some nook or cranny
underground, perhaps under a tree root, a log, or even an old wall.
The difference here is that the overwintering pollinator in this case
is the adult, already mated and fertilized female which will start a
whole new colony next spring.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of my favorite bees,<i><a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/augochlora_pura.shtml"> Augochlora pura</a>,</i> doesn’t nest underground. Instead it finds a dead log, whose bark is beginning to peel, and builds its nest under the bark.
The younger generation emerges at the end of summer. They mate, and
the new bees find shelter, once again, under loose tree bark. Many
old dead logs serve as wintering shelter for this bee.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dBdar7tnyZ4bQA6pZzK7l01ZjLfF9Eito0TxXqtPKpT0kZF1QDVP82S1AB-bkuC7HkCLlIlp6tJ7IYDOWqf30Jc7vWhXGwieSnX-FhQuHaRGl_UYXjDOdQpfSyNlrq7Eibru_DRuy3M/s1600/IMG_3656.11.15.06w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dBdar7tnyZ4bQA6pZzK7l01ZjLfF9Eito0TxXqtPKpT0kZF1QDVP82S1AB-bkuC7HkCLlIlp6tJ7IYDOWqf30Jc7vWhXGwieSnX-FhQuHaRGl_UYXjDOdQpfSyNlrq7Eibru_DRuy3M/s320/IMG_3656.11.15.06w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
Two
<i>Augochlora pura</i> females</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
getting
ready for winter in November</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
©Beatriz
Moisset</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqepcfxaGus9d1aR2DcjdcDmxu6jeuDvbQ55oobm7Tk7waYt8U1SiNWQZEjLfk7FbXIuumW4kqD4xU01gHy7mBeV_NI97myaNppnQlo6JTLUF-0BjTebSQJWnuw3xF2W2KH-1C4vo5qAU/s1600/IMG_2642.1.26.10w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqepcfxaGus9d1aR2DcjdcDmxu6jeuDvbQ55oobm7Tk7waYt8U1SiNWQZEjLfk7FbXIuumW4kqD4xU01gHy7mBeV_NI97myaNppnQlo6JTLUF-0BjTebSQJWnuw3xF2W2KH-1C4vo5qAU/s320/IMG_2642.1.26.10w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
A sleeping
beauty under bark in mid January</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
©Beatriz
Moisset</div>
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Sleeping
Beauty’s castle, old logs</div>
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©Beatriz
Moisset
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Other bees, including mason and
leaf-cutter bees, use hollow twigs or holes dug by beetle larvae in
trees. Bee houses that imitate these conditions are gaining
popularity among gardeners and mason bees readily accept them. This
is becoming a necessity in our suburban gardens, where old trees with
beetle holes are rare. Clumps of dried grasses or the hollow canes of
plants such as hydrangea or brambles are also valuable to nesting
bees if they are allowed to stand through the winter and early
spring.</div>
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Hollow
twigs are a winter haven</div>
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to many
pollinators
</div>
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©Beatriz
Moisset
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Bees are
not the only pollinators. Butterflies and moths do a good job too; so
let us take a look at a couple of them.</div>
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<a href="http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2009/11/pollinators-in-winter.html">Fritillary</a> caterpillars feed on
violet plants. In the fall, when the adult butterfly is ready to lay
its eggs, these plants are wilting or totally gone. The female lays
its eggs near the remnants of violet plants or in the most likely
places for violets to grow. Even if many eggs are lost, there are
enough left to maintain the populations year after year. The curious
thing is that the eggs hatch in the fall when there is nothing for
the caterpillars to eat. So the tiny newborns bury themselves a
little deeper and go to sleep until the next spring. By then, their
food is ready and waiting for them.<br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2009/12/hummingbird-moths-where-do-they-go-in.html">Hummingbird moths</a> (<i>Hemaris</i>), those
colorful tiny pseudo-hummingbirds (I have seen many people fooled by
them) have a different strategy. Their eggs hatch in the summer and
the caterpillars feed on one of their favorite plants. They are not
very choosy, from honeysuckles, to viburnums, to blackberries; all of
them are good for the several species of hummingbird moths. In
autumn, the fully grown caterpillar drops to the ground, buries
itself under the leaf litter and becomes a pupa. Now it is ready for
winter.</div>
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A patch of
leaf litter serves as a winter home</div>
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to some
pollinators</div>
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©Beatriz
Moisset
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Numerous variations on
these general themes exist. Not just pollinators, but also a number of
other insects, some of them beneficial predators of pest insects,
take advantage of the mentioned wintering spots. We can conclude
that: bare spots, dead logs, dried up grasses or other shrubby plants
and leaf litter are all vital to pollinators and to other creatures,
all of them important components of a garden ecosystem. The perfectly
manicured garden may appeal to a certain idea of esthetics but it is
a monstrosity from the ecological point of view. Some of us need to
readjust the way we view a garden.<br />
<br />
There is great beauty in the mechanism
of how an ecosystem works. I relish this beauty so I find it easy to
accept the visual impact of an “untidy” garden in need of some
raking, re-sodding, log removal, leaf litter removal, etc.<br />
<br />
Also see:<br />
<a href="http://pollinators%20and%20the%20garden%20in%20winter/">Helping Native Pollinators Winter Over </a>Sierra Club<br />
<br />
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
© 2011,
Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20160331181548/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/pollinators-and-the-garden-in-winter/">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a>, 2011</div>
</div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-78925875060053245502017-02-08T15:17:00.000-05:002019-12-30T12:10:45.046-05:00Winter Food for Birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Field of Canada goldenrod.</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">© Beatriz Moisset</span></div>
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When the days get shorter and other signs of winter hang in the air, most birds pack their bags and leave for warmer climates. They are not necessarily running away from the cold weather, but from the lack of their favorite food, insects.</div>
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Not all leave; the ones that can make it through the winter on nuts and berries stay. Also those who know where to find insects stay. Woodpeckers belong to this latter category. Some, such as hawks and owls, who feed on other birds, mice and other small creatures, also stay.<br />
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The seed eaters, the most common winter birds, may not be strict vegetarians. They know how to locate some animal protein here and there and welcome these nutritional supplements when given a chance. It takes skill, sharp eyes, and perseverance because this kind of food is scarce and well hidden through the colder months. The winter landscape is devoid of flying insects or succulent caterpillars chomping on leaves. Whatever insect life there is, it is snuggled up under bark or soil. Or, if it is in plain view, it is hidden by color and shape, blending with the surroundings and holding perfectly still in the shape of eggs or <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140715200258/http:/nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/going-to-bed-for-winter/">cocoons</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Aphid and eggs on rose stem</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Late December</span>. ©Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<br />
At the end of the summer season, aphids produce eggs, minuscule ovals, glued to leaves or stems, so insignificant that we may fail to notice their presence. Sometimes chickadees are seen working their way up and down a rosebush stem nibbling at invisible tidbits. They feast on this snack, adding some protein to their drab winter diet.</div>
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<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140715200258/http:/nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/goldenrod-a-weed-or-a-treasure/">Goldenrods</a> supply an interesting insect food to winter birds. Some goldenrods present a peculiar round thickening about an inch in diameter half way along the stem called a goldenrod round gall. Some patches of goldenrods have numerous galls of this kind. They are easier to spot during the winter, when all the leaves are gone and the stems remain standing.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Goldenrod round gall produced by the goldenrod gall fly</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
©Beatriz Moisset</div>
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How is a gall made? A fly lays an egg inside a goldenrod stem in the spring. Along with the egg, it injects some remarkable chemicals in the spot. The chemicals cause the stem to swell into a round tumor which becomes home and pantry for the growing larva. The maggot-like future fly sits in the heart of the growing gall feeding on the nutritious tissues and protected from enemies. By the end of summer it is fully grown, but it will not be ready to come out of this secure place until spring, so it sleeps through the winter curled up at the very center of its mansion.</div>
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Two birds seek these snacks in times of scarcity, downy woodpeckers and chickadees. They face a difficult task to get to their treasure. The gall has become as hard as wood. Cutting one open with a utility knife or a small saw is no easy task. Believe me, I have done it. I have also found and collected galls broken in by birds.</div>
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The woodpecker has a beak like a chisel. With surgical precision it cuts a clean hole. The chickadee’s tool, on the other hand, is not so efficient. So this bird has to labor hard, wrecking almost the entire gall to reach the center. It is easy to tell who the eater was by their distinctive signatures.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Goldenrod galls opened by birds</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Downy woodpecker, left. Chickadee, right</span></div>
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© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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Wanting to learn more about birds in winter and their insect food, I went on a frustrating Google quest. I tried words such as “bird,” “food,” “winter,” “insect,” and “diet”. No matter what combination I used the overwhelming majority of hits referred to bird feeders and feeding. Even when I subtracted “bird feeder” and “feeding” from the search I failed to find studies on natural winter insect food. Doesn’t anybody study birds’ winter diet? </div>
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Finally I found a delightful exception by one of my favorite nature writers, Bernd Heinrich. A rigorous scientist and first class writer, his books for the general public are enjoyable as well as packed with solid information. I had read his <a href="http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/readinglist.php/winter_world_the_ingenuity_of_animal_sur"><i>Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival</i></a> years ago and was happy to delve into it once again.</div>
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Chapter nine, <i>The Kinglet’s Winter Fuel</i>, tells us about the golden crowned kinglet and its means of survival in the harsh Maine winters. This delicate tiny bird feeds almost exclusively on insects. How does it manage at a time in which insects seem unavailable? Heinrich’s endless curiosity led him to answer this question after seeing these thumb-sized feathered wonders nibbling at apparently non-existing food near the tips of spruce trees. He caught a few and found their gizzards packed full of inchworm caterpillars. Determined to know more, he whacked a number of trees and gathered everything that dropped from them onto a white sheet spread on the snow.</div>
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He collected caterpillars along with a few other things. Eventually he managed to raise some of the inchworms and found out the moth they turn into at the end of winter. All this research took him several winters and the assistance of a number of his students; but he finally knew that kinglets depend on the “variant” moth for their winter survival.</div>
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I love the chapter’s closing line: “<b>To care for the welfare of kinglets, it is necessary to care for moths</b>.” Notice that he talks about moths, not bird feeders.</div>
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I often wonder about the proliferation of bird feeders and bird food in this country. I recognize their educational value and their importance in suburban and urban places where bird’s habitats are all but gone. But, I also wonder about the land devoted to growing bird seed. Perhaps, pesticides and methods to keep birds away are in use. Isn’t that another way of taking habitat away from wildlife? When we supply them with suet, do they neglect their insect-eating task? In short: Do we feed birds for their benefit or ours?</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Woodpeckers at bird feeder</span></div>
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© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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In addition to bird feeders, we should remember that <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140715231237/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/fall-clean-up-in-a-wildlife-garden/">other ways to help birds</a> include taking care of the moths, and <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140715200258/http:/www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/leave-that-seedhead.html">berries and nuts</a>, and, yes, dried up goldenrod plants and their round galls. In the long run, this may be the best way to feed birds.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://pollinatingbee.blogspot.com/2011/05/locavore-birds-grow-your-own-birdseed.html">“Locavore” Birds. Grow your own Birdseed</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://pollinatingbee.blogspot.com/2010/12/feed-birds.html">Feed the birds</a> </div>
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© 2013, Beatriz Moisset. First published in<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140715200258/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/winter-food-for-birds/"> Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a>, 2013</div>
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Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-90985561981787567092017-02-06T10:44:00.002-05:002017-03-25T14:41:04.361-04:00Biocontrols. Fighting Fire with Fire<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mile-a-minute choking trees</span><br />
© Beatriz Moisset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What to do when an introduced species,
be it a plant or insect, gets so out of control that eradication
seems impossible? This is a serious consideration. We see it happens
again and again. Many species are so entrenched that all efforts seem
futile, from the most ecologically benign, such as physically
removing the offenders, to the least desirable ones, the use of
pesticides.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Part of the reason why some introduced
organisms become invasive is that they left behind the enemies that
kept them in check in their native lands. Once free from such
restraints they can become enormously successful in their adoptive
land. When other methods of control fail conservationists have been
resorting to what I would call fighting fire with fire: bringing
another introduced species to control the one that has become a pest.
These are the so called biological controls or biocontrols. This
method is a partial admission of defeat. It allows the invasive
species to remain but minimizes its impact. The <a href="http://www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/national-wildlife/animals/archives/2005/good-bugs-gone-bad.aspx">National Wildlife Federation</a> says it best:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In vast natural areas such as the
Everglades, where spraying, snipping or bulldozing exotic weeds is
out of the question, a well-tested, well-behaved bug is the
conservationist’s best weed whacker.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCtF0D2Vx1t7J11pVUAgz4yQrQVhdQFFvGX8mf-9ydS8ENGWlsaFcaejSIy1fESkpdX0Q1dldhZUD2AXuLx8PxE6k8suDu9cB2NaB9wY_Osxk_p_LEDEumcbY_IlgahqoBtISbcWTIyg/s1600/Matt.bertone.bugguide867040-300x196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCtF0D2Vx1t7J11pVUAgz4yQrQVhdQFFvGX8mf-9ydS8ENGWlsaFcaejSIy1fESkpdX0Q1dldhZUD2AXuLx8PxE6k8suDu9cB2NaB9wY_Osxk_p_LEDEumcbY_IlgahqoBtISbcWTIyg/s1600/Matt.bertone.bugguide867040-300x196.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vedalia beetle feeding on cottony
cushion scale</span><br />
© <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/867040">Matt Bertone</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the 1880s California citrus growers
were desperate because an introduced pest, the cottony cushion scale
(<i>Icerya purchasi</i>) was destroying their crops and nothing seemed to
stop it, even burning infected trees. Scales are similar to aphids in
that they feed on the sap of plants. This one, as the name indicates
is coated with a white cotton-like material.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In desperation, they imported a lady
beetle from Australia, the Vedalia beetle (<i>Rodolia cardinalis</i>). It
adapted well to its new environment and went right to work bringing
the pest under control and saving the citrus industry. This was the
beginning of biocontrol introductions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, the method may backfire with
disastrous consequences. At first, it was thought a good idea to
bring biological controls with wide tastes. It turned out that some
went after desirable bugs, not just the undesirable ones. One of the
worst examples was a parasitic tachinid fly (<i>Compsilura concinnata</i>)
brought in to control the gypsy moth. Unfortunately, it started
feeding on many native moths including the spectacular Cecropia moth.
Populations of some of these moths have dropped down enough to cause
serious concern.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sZHqamWw2yi14Jni3EoP06-UDjT68hK150tgD0IYZRJXORuRStpw7s7o9x1MycHj3tlq_mA4h-7knzO82MTgKgkvLwO2zTfs_e5vj49i4BQ1xFc8Q-i5zSKb_rRKbinqvct5xZe5bDg/s1600/Cecropia_Moth_Hyalophora_cecropia.wikicommons-300x227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sZHqamWw2yi14Jni3EoP06-UDjT68hK150tgD0IYZRJXORuRStpw7s7o9x1MycHj3tlq_mA4h-7knzO82MTgKgkvLwO2zTfs_e5vj49i4BQ1xFc8Q-i5zSKb_rRKbinqvct5xZe5bDg/s1600/Cecropia_Moth_Hyalophora_cecropia.wikicommons-300x227.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cecropia Moth (<i>Hyalophora cecropia</i>)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Marvin Smith. Wikicommons</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It took some time to learn this hard
lesson. Many biocontrols have created more problems than benefits. I
mentioned the <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/praying-mantises-which-are-good-ones.html">Chinese praying mantis</a> and the <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/ladybugs-lady-beetles-or-ladybird.html">Asian lady beetle</a> in
previous posts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nowadays the only biocontrols allowed
are those with extremely narrow feeding habits, ideally only the
target species. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approves
biocontrols only after they have been subjected to thorough testing
under tight quarantine conditions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I will illustrate this with two
examples that I have had the opportunity to observe: one controls an
insect pest, the other a weed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD77nkEURpu7RB1XzxAvD3rYJf7z9dGJSHqFXLqWFmRDIW_TP59mrqTFP_ePLtpmN62ncgbwYYZrlR3YFVRIRuDuhwtp1vaeQ4E44T8Acod_lFOgA9lfVbj1gtxSdgJKkxRlx9r9j9b8Y/s1600/istocheta.p7185462.04w-273x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD77nkEURpu7RB1XzxAvD3rYJf7z9dGJSHqFXLqWFmRDIW_TP59mrqTFP_ePLtpmN62ncgbwYYZrlR3YFVRIRuDuhwtp1vaeQ4E44T8Acod_lFOgA9lfVbj1gtxSdgJKkxRlx9r9j9b8Y/s1600/istocheta.p7185462.04w-273x300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Japanese beetle
with egg of parasitic fly</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">© Beatriz Moisset</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Japanese beetle has been advancing
inexorably ever since it arrived in New Jersey hiding in some
horticultural stock. Recently, a parasitic fly has been introduced to
combat it. The winsome fly (<i>Istocheta aldrichi</i>) lays one or a few
eggs on the back of the beetle. When the larvae hatch they penetrate
the hapless insect and proceed to eat its insides. If you see a
Japanese beetle with a white dot on its back, don’t kill it. Let
the parasite complete its life cycle and live to infest other
beetles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t5wzTbyiLkeZYa2KnzdgwWq1B7pNqUIwXCAE9z4MBKvxwnX4tF6cge4oRteIMp-q2ZSm32GwSHMV0d7EicsawOZgN8oSo6Hx-4YaYduDwYIOYMNQSgKWrKt7ftNRT4ILiTokmI1UvHI/s1600/IMG_9307.w-300x193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t5wzTbyiLkeZYa2KnzdgwWq1B7pNqUIwXCAE9z4MBKvxwnX4tF6cge4oRteIMp-q2ZSm32GwSHMV0d7EicsawOZgN8oSo6Hx-4YaYduDwYIOYMNQSgKWrKt7ftNRT4ILiTokmI1UvHI/s1600/IMG_9307.w-300x193.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mile-a-minute weevils on mile-a-minute
vine</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mile-a-minute is becoming a terrible
pest climbing up trees and choking them. Recently its biocontrol, a
weevil, has been approved for distribution. The beetle is not much
bigger than the tip of a ball point pen. It feeds on tender leaves.
If you see holes in full size leaves, don’t look for the weevil
there; instead follow the tendril to its end. This is where these
voracious beetles hide. This introduction is so recent that we
probably haven’t seen its full effect.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2015, Beatriz Moisset. <span style="font-size: medium;">First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20160603053754/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/biocontrols-fighting-fire-with-fire/">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a> </span>2/7/15</div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-50513807410198235442016-12-26T13:24:00.000-05:002016-12-31T13:22:45.770-05:00Why I love the Florida Native Plant Society<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hc4ILieNBZJLDONresmyzVlqSZdVpdRJznmqfYhr5S8jBzvjG4x9iVXvmc0CKCEoWKIO9vgu5VWEoZZ7N9VQiSH-S-zSYNFcOENYzzvkBGyyE5-gYkmLqdzysDJF-OcpBDPnD80Gi6YJ/s1600/FNPSlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hc4ILieNBZJLDONresmyzVlqSZdVpdRJznmqfYhr5S8jBzvjG4x9iVXvmc0CKCEoWKIO9vgu5VWEoZZ7N9VQiSH-S-zSYNFcOENYzzvkBGyyE5-gYkmLqdzysDJF-OcpBDPnD80Gi6YJ/s1600/FNPSlogo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.fnps.org/" target="_blank">Florida Native Plant Society</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Previously, I talked about <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/getting-started-with-native-plants-in.html" target="_blank"><b>our native plant resources in Florida</b></a> including the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), this time I’ll provide more details on how much I like FNPS.<br />
<br />
My local chapter (Ixia in Jacksonville) holds informative meetings with expert speakers on a wide range of topics relating to native plants or habitats, offers plants for sale or raffle at most meetings, runs field trips, and participates in outreach programs. Our chapter has developed an “Alter-Natives” brochure for northeastern Florida that lists native plants to replace those frequently sold (and sometimes invasive) plants. Here’s a link to a<b> <a href="http://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/pubs/alternatives.pdf" target="_blank">pdf file of the brochure</a></b>. We’ve adopted a small park in Jacksonville called <a href="http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/fnps-ixia-chapter-project-native-park.html" target="_blank"><b>Native Park</b></a>, but ironically it was filled with non-native plants–we have made this into a showcase for native plants in an urban setting. In short, our chapter is filled with smart, active and caring folks doing important work as a group and as individuals. Here’s a link to <a href="http://www.fnps.org/chapters/chapters" target="_blank">f<b>ind an FNPS chapter near you</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Annual FNPS Conferences</h3>
While the chapter is great fun, the annual state-wide FNPS conference is my chapter on steroids! I’ve been to two conferences now and I find that them to be even more stimulating and inspiring. There are 37 chapters around the state: so there we are all together each of us talking about our projects and learning from speakers and local field trips. I took some photos and will provide a short tour of the 2012 conference which took place on May 19th to 22nd near Orlando.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPyZBy3GbEmCOFmCsczVP8MUwg-RhsNaQb7Y860uCHFG3mbfDIJFyAWR0NGzOlJ_WQvwgkeAzEVk2SZhUe1LOo_gFThlnKHSzL7NhyphenhyphenhvFwVQ-BjSZsrwnsmBvhpXhGBy7HJDLOydUG7td/s1600/plantvendors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPyZBy3GbEmCOFmCsczVP8MUwg-RhsNaQb7Y860uCHFG3mbfDIJFyAWR0NGzOlJ_WQvwgkeAzEVk2SZhUe1LOo_gFThlnKHSzL7NhyphenhyphenhvFwVQ-BjSZsrwnsmBvhpXhGBy7HJDLOydUG7td/s1600/plantvendors.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Native plant vendors </span>display their plants for sale under the live oak tress.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubyfPahQs1R8dn_-9mJUC2RArLe1mfZJqAmTB_z-Mndvl41OTszAfi19-msLCGYObMAf0wSaNdWpnsB_0C2ZIir0GwlOk2XYZPwsVDwi3PoPNOcHZxsS-IywdUUyn0riO-F4iYhZj-_8F/s1600/Gotmilkweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubyfPahQs1R8dn_-9mJUC2RArLe1mfZJqAmTB_z-Mndvl41OTszAfi19-msLCGYObMAf0wSaNdWpnsB_0C2ZIir0GwlOk2XYZPwsVDwi3PoPNOcHZxsS-IywdUUyn0riO-F4iYhZj-_8F/s320/Gotmilkweed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bEBkl0gbhEkVgCCSjDQRrWbHX7_7vKASCu4H-wf8pltlT1YXPXIVBHjQVQf1lsz3GLwwiNCNksIrigyhM5oNyh7NV1n7jYJV-J2Vj_p3M6Q6mrE-tjIfbIesKg0WXeZXLzoHWTqRlGjr/s1600/craigbrightman2-300x288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bEBkl0gbhEkVgCCSjDQRrWbHX7_7vKASCu4H-wf8pltlT1YXPXIVBHjQVQf1lsz3GLwwiNCNksIrigyhM5oNyh7NV1n7jYJV-J2Vj_p3M6Q6mrE-tjIfbIesKg0WXeZXLzoHWTqRlGjr/s1600/craigbrightman2-300x288.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Got Milkweed?</span></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
Craig Heugel, grower and author, and Brightman Logan, grower, are active FNPS members.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRAxs6x2sYda8PKVNAVvR0D8IVcX21rTaMnnZTovpErm3sTJwFUsuO8GZKWa4x0EorWujUwgAy7v4bausB93ufYJudAMlCV2JuFh7APjkXP-M4uBz_4Uxf82IB5q2vn3_fnE-84IIBlj-/s1600/asclepiastuberosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRAxs6x2sYda8PKVNAVvR0D8IVcX21rTaMnnZTovpErm3sTJwFUsuO8GZKWa4x0EorWujUwgAy7v4bausB93ufYJudAMlCV2JuFh7APjkXP-M4uBz_4Uxf82IB5q2vn3_fnE-84IIBlj-/s1600/asclepiastuberosa.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Butterflyweed is a native milkweed and a couple of other species were offered.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMDerNmzfte4RaWzy83lwdYbsUvfGAMoeRZEZwKjhouUFo-jL7X04H88fyCW_RXGyB7cJhy9B2UatJdSz7JbQECBc5AXQUkunUEOWP9795RJD-TQsHYxA2WMby92j7tzy5oR3moV046Fb/s1600/sunshineforsale1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMDerNmzfte4RaWzy83lwdYbsUvfGAMoeRZEZwKjhouUFo-jL7X04H88fyCW_RXGyB7cJhy9B2UatJdSz7JbQECBc5AXQUkunUEOWP9795RJD-TQsHYxA2WMby92j7tzy5oR3moV046Fb/s1600/sunshineforsale1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunshine mimosa is a beautiful ground cover. It's a legume so it can grow in poor soils. Several of the nurseries offered this plant, but they were sold out the first day!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYMsKps0DVFmxjoFAozWW4X-W1PEQVI-BzLDScjlM_D2MTZ9WxvX_jQuPDCDh_KZ1ZZQZZtuKFz5q8lWg6Dsu3nbV4VmYsvhwVqvy6sCpTrMvqz9RkZL-D6_G-PXZVswJKXwPOqM2SbAp/s1600/buyingplants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYMsKps0DVFmxjoFAozWW4X-W1PEQVI-BzLDScjlM_D2MTZ9WxvX_jQuPDCDh_KZ1ZZQZZtuKFz5q8lWg6Dsu3nbV4VmYsvhwVqvy6sCpTrMvqz9RkZL-D6_G-PXZVswJKXwPOqM2SbAp/s400/buyingplants.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This FNPS member will have a good start on a native-filled garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN) brings the growers together at the FNPS conferences. Their consumer website <a href="http://www.plantrealflorida.org/"><b>http://www.plantrealflorida.org/</b></a> is a useful tool in finding Florida’s natives and/or a native nursery near you.<br />
<br />
By the end of the conference, most of the plants were sold and I came home with several swamp milkweed plants for the edge of my pond. I already have the butterflyweed growing in several areas of my yard. So I can answer “Yes!” to the question posed above.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODu-O-i0xzmUZqS1rlNsvjVMiUTkdjZIriGJv-bLvkkgN-SSyjaloslZdGfwGCldzrH0A1ALfKIaCESOMPCNqYtMbR4jsJcV-jypyQTzrQIKFtLQ7SaAdszNNVIzVc4TVAZgsSFJUNErh/s1600/registration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODu-O-i0xzmUZqS1rlNsvjVMiUTkdjZIriGJv-bLvkkgN-SSyjaloslZdGfwGCldzrH0A1ALfKIaCESOMPCNqYtMbR4jsJcV-jypyQTzrQIKFtLQ7SaAdszNNVIzVc4TVAZgsSFJUNErh/s1600/registration.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The registration table was adorned with our state wildflower, tickseed coreopsis (<i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrLKZnKQ1G8kRVpDO7guSV_hlzPg0WzIVhazui6_6A3ihHYnxjI_LaMvyCC3I1oe9Y8x29bBaQHVV34GuqLMuMRKyFkYS_JtDGfrVDGSWzWprvp8WElyk-GRc3G_CfIZ1nHKjDlJRwf1b/s1600/chaptermerchandise-300x274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrLKZnKQ1G8kRVpDO7guSV_hlzPg0WzIVhazui6_6A3ihHYnxjI_LaMvyCC3I1oe9Y8x29bBaQHVV34GuqLMuMRKyFkYS_JtDGfrVDGSWzWprvp8WElyk-GRc3G_CfIZ1nHKjDlJRwf1b/s1600/chaptermerchandise-300x274.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ps8Ndi9xeQLG1KoYQbZBr2yLTzMhgwcvQKOtUagW0Mxnv0UCq2tM5Py4uwsl3oNtAPGkChFmfSfoxX2bHIEUa5Ce9qVdJ8uVw-eiqsTNj-nqJR4oFF_1AnJsM_6LqeN4VjNBRQCSRk3_/s1600/quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ps8Ndi9xeQLG1KoYQbZBr2yLTzMhgwcvQKOtUagW0Mxnv0UCq2tM5Py4uwsl3oNtAPGkChFmfSfoxX2bHIEUa5Ce9qVdJ8uVw-eiqsTNj-nqJR4oFF_1AnJsM_6LqeN4VjNBRQCSRk3_/s320/quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">FNPS chapters brought a variety of merchandise that these volunteers sold between sessions.</span></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A member created this fabulous quilt decorated with leaves of native trees over a background of the various Florida soil colors. The quilt was raffled off and brought in $1600. Isn’t this quilt fantastic? And what dedication from the member who designed and sewed it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
The presentations</h3>
There were more than 40 speakers and 20 local field trips. What a full conference! It was hard to decide what sessions to attend. Many of the conference sessions carried CEU credits for those who need them. Most sessions were filled and discussions of topics spilled into the hallways and continued into the evening events.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTCf7b4onaFk7arMOgiqmE_X8XcyecRY4UI_mV_IrjuZW5VQ7PftD6ePNKRIg1Uiuqk2OG3M9jxfTfiSh04gnQqb06-Yg4Z0XWkSQzh-nYPrNp_VZb1WLXWM2tdBPildjWvW732e5Qs6G/s1600/beepresentation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTCf7b4onaFk7arMOgiqmE_X8XcyecRY4UI_mV_IrjuZW5VQ7PftD6ePNKRIg1Uiuqk2OG3M9jxfTfiSh04gnQqb06-Yg4Z0XWkSQzh-nYPrNp_VZb1WLXWM2tdBPildjWvW732e5Qs6G/s1600/beepresentation.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most sessions were filled.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaHInBpDku4Kvb_wP0b5nUShztFH9hGYJNX2NhRB1y5sKhURGKO9dzjkC793aii9MkRM2XbuediJjh0B6RaxZ1f1qkcMOUBS73xErQ_ChWXiLs10Ufp72kYB8_9KQ9MKLMEeA0sL3DcDY/s1600/AkersPollinators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaHInBpDku4Kvb_wP0b5nUShztFH9hGYJNX2NhRB1y5sKhURGKO9dzjkC793aii9MkRM2XbuediJjh0B6RaxZ1f1qkcMOUBS73xErQ_ChWXiLs10Ufp72kYB8_9KQ9MKLMEeA0sL3DcDY/s1600/AkersPollinators.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyej2sZXaLGUeCf9dtl1CtHJCV2HPMsS-U5AyRWLthdEi2cpPSGHqaTFPOFeSQ2S4Kq7Hqo8Xf8DoY7rK3wIoaBJdsoj5jbvDJokk-81e_bOha8WYOzs1HpbbX2LzwDYw5Mr0t-xdbCiA4/s1600/Billbmakesapoint-250x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyej2sZXaLGUeCf9dtl1CtHJCV2HPMsS-U5AyRWLthdEi2cpPSGHqaTFPOFeSQ2S4Kq7Hqo8Xf8DoY7rK3wIoaBJdsoj5jbvDJokk-81e_bOha8WYOzs1HpbbX2LzwDYw5Mr0t-xdbCiA4/s1600/Billbmakesapoint-250x300.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pollination study presented by Jaret Daniels. </span>Dr. Daniels collecting pollinators.<br />There were two presentations on bees and then there were two showings of a bee movie during lunch on both days. Here’s my post <a href="http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/jaret-daniels-and-his-charismatic.html" target="_blank"><b>Jaret Daniels and his charismatic pollinators</b></a>.</span></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bill Belleville talks to us about <a href="http://www.friendsofwekiva.org/" target="_blank"><b>The Friends of the Wekiva River</b></a> and how their group has included many people living in the watershed. They’ve created a simple, easy to understand “Wekiva Promise” that people have pledged not to pollute the river</span>.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIoO9fbuw8yXweGS_-pIwNnSjHTHPM4kmPbHZgzw-N1knRf7-_p8y857oohK-MttkRKOwZ6OuZ1kya2YylYG_XU-z7gYdDTtI29atGfN-lLxchqv7lRKb6ImYyrN1k-0Y3VMP7K2tv-fN/s1600/Darkespresentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIoO9fbuw8yXweGS_-pIwNnSjHTHPM4kmPbHZgzw-N1knRf7-_p8y857oohK-MttkRKOwZ6OuZ1kya2YylYG_XU-z7gYdDTtI29atGfN-lLxchqv7lRKb6ImYyrN1k-0Y3VMP7K2tv-fN/s1600/Darkespresentation1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
Keynote speaker Rick Darke helped us look at our landscapes differently.</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
Sue Dingwell summarized <a href="http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/darke-designs.html" target="_blank"><b>Rick’s presentation</b></a> on the FNPS blog.</div>
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In addition to the presentations, there are landscape awards for homeowners, commercial and non-profit organizations, plus scientific poster sessions (some are from people who have been awarded FNPS grants to support their work. Also, the annual FNPS meeting is held where more awards are presented, officers are elected, and updates on our various projects are presented. <br />
<br />
Guided field trips and sometimes workshops are held on Thursdays and Sundays to bookmark the two days of meetings and presentations. Since the conferences are held in various areas of the state, the field trips offer a great opportunity to learn about some of "The Real Florida."<br />
<h3>
The Socials</h3>
There are usually three social events for each conference. The Thursday evening welcome, plus Friday and Saturday night socials which differ depending upon the location of the conference.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkquGlm3lbkKaIgskHoEONE_Hqi4A0wdQYgHFbwmE4L2qDB_NB9LEm6lYnC7xwgesxz5XX0gdbMOAGD6N73QmexOtEQqU_2TPcVEOwee3akssF2a8YNFqkCl17UCtJ8d3evt5AlHs7uX3Z/s1600/GilNelson1-204x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkquGlm3lbkKaIgskHoEONE_Hqi4A0wdQYgHFbwmE4L2qDB_NB9LEm6lYnC7xwgesxz5XX0gdbMOAGD6N73QmexOtEQqU_2TPcVEOwee3akssF2a8YNFqkCl17UCtJ8d3evt5AlHs7uX3Z/s1600/GilNelson1-204x300.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojYWPksTJv5NhkAfyqhCPSkhvIhvS4OwcFG1FnfgkaEauuqVsE6Frbd8vrHGzDRdpzMDhDpuoj-qIDrh1XinxGi1xUg4gybY2CWpKqybnLdtCbYpkEvXiB2J0n5FihhoCRPipUYRFtxqQ/s1600/magnolia1-300x255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojYWPksTJv5NhkAfyqhCPSkhvIhvS4OwcFG1FnfgkaEauuqVsE6Frbd8vrHGzDRdpzMDhDpuoj-qIDrh1XinxGi1xUg4gybY2CWpKqybnLdtCbYpkEvXiB2J0n5FihhoCRPipUYRFtxqQ/s1600/magnolia1-300x255.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Botanist, photographer, author, Gil Nelson</span></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The magnolia centerpieces added an elegant touch at the Saturday evening gala.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gil Nelson, had several of his many Florida books for sale including his new expanded edition of “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9781561644759/flonatplasocb-20" target="_blank">The Trees of Florida</a>.” I think that Gil’s most useful book is “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/081302644X/flonatplasocb-20" target="_blank">Florida’s Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals</a>.” <a href="http://www.gilnelson.com/">www.gilnelson.com</a><br />
<br />
I was a little sad as the conference wound down at the Saturday night gala, but there’s always next year’s conference to look forward to. It will be in Plant City near Tampa and <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/doug-tallamy.html" target="_blank"><b>Doug Tallamy</b></a> will be one of our keynote speakers.<br />
<br />
I hope you have access to a native plant society in your state. If so, get involved, and then you too could become addicted.<br />
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<br />
© Ginny Stibolt<br />
<a href="http://www.greengardeningmatters.com/" target="_blank">www.GreenGardeningMatters.com</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-53448992124448272902016-11-14T13:54:00.000-05:002016-11-16T07:30:55.386-05:00It is Cold Outside. Where did all the Butterflies Go?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7OFTsrh8BJ7uSfd89h42wvkG49g9n13ypetZgzcaar0ge7K2pp9YEtY6eiFr4i50z3bsxt7_nROMJhlNcb2-dW5MtC18HlinYQOnzrxCpQTrz_rNuI9y6mRVLfdD_A4XvE1ceJx3P2c/s1600/fritill-copy.ww_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7OFTsrh8BJ7uSfd89h42wvkG49g9n13ypetZgzcaar0ge7K2pp9YEtY6eiFr4i50z3bsxt7_nROMJhlNcb2-dW5MtC18HlinYQOnzrxCpQTrz_rNuI9y6mRVLfdD_A4XvE1ceJx3P2c/s320/fritill-copy.ww_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great spangled fritillary (<i>Speyeria
cybele</i>)<br />
Its tiny caterpillars will survive the winter<br />
©
Beatriz Moisset</div>
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Winter has arrived. What happened to
all the six legged creatures we saw in summer? Where did the
crawling, scuttling, flitting, buzzing multitudes go? Those of us who
live in temperate and colder climates notice the disappearance of
practically all insects when the weather gets cold. We are talking
about the ones that live outdoors, not about those aggravating
creatures that have found their ways into our houses and turned them
into their homes.<br />
<a name='more'></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3u0HsEs9TvsfcxIqIk7Vnvorjtf5oLNYaz_eyFLsqw6N92BOdFV2FKIwQXvKJ2fzQzLaJ44Fw35OjSsiYlbvdhTSKUVMiV_V3HsvHfwiALVZQdphGGgudR_4ACjIMQatMWXNzAJDu48/s1600/P7061962.vanessa.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3u0HsEs9TvsfcxIqIk7Vnvorjtf5oLNYaz_eyFLsqw6N92BOdFV2FKIwQXvKJ2fzQzLaJ44Fw35OjSsiYlbvdhTSKUVMiV_V3HsvHfwiALVZQdphGGgudR_4ACjIMQatMWXNzAJDu48/s320/P7061962.vanessa.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Red admiral (<i>Vanessa atalanta</i>), one of
the travelers<br />
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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</tbody></table>
We may think that all outdoor insects
die with the arrival of cold weather. In fact, most of them do, but
not before producing the next generation. Their eggs, or their young
–larvae or pupae– lay low until the weather is propitious again
for daily activities. Others pack their belongings and leave for
warmer climates. Still a few others spend the whole winter hiding
underground or under tree bark or merely under a pile of dead leaves.
Some of our favorite butterflies illustrate each one of these three
strategies.</div>
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<b>
</b>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1. Most adult butterflies die, the next
generation lives on</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fritillaries and hummingbird moths are
among the ones that die at the end of summer. The <a href="http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2009/11/pollinators-in-winter.html">great spangled fritillary</a>, <i>Speyeria Cybele</i>, scatters her eggs almost recklessly at
the end of summer in spots that are likely to be blanketed by violets
next spring. The eggs hatch into tiny caterpillars which have just
enough energy to bury themselves a little deeper under garden debris
and wait for the spring when their favorite food –violets–
sprouts again.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM6KfBdo5zPa1cRpGuwEsZCMyHs1relUKe6GhJtUMyvOB0hT5qAxJQkBeKRGc3CPHgVrk-_QK8TPEOIneBd9vG5k4cg4R3txilSV5f9zQ4sioCaUmJDmRIWUJnztIsTDJAJNQL0R4wl0/s1600/IMG_7717.7.07w1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM6KfBdo5zPa1cRpGuwEsZCMyHs1relUKe6GhJtUMyvOB0hT5qAxJQkBeKRGc3CPHgVrk-_QK8TPEOIneBd9vG5k4cg4R3txilSV5f9zQ4sioCaUmJDmRIWUJnztIsTDJAJNQL0R4wl0/s320/IMG_7717.7.07w1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hummingbird moth (<i>Hemaris thysbe</i>)<br />
It
will spend the winter as pupa under dead leaves<br />
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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The <a href="http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2009/12/hummingbird-moths-where-do-they-go-in.html">hummingbird moth</a> uses a slightly
different strategy. It lays its eggs during the summer, so the
caterpillars have enough time and food to reach full size by the
fall. At that point they drop to the ground, bury themselves under
leaf litter, turn into pupae and await the next warm season.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcLIFcb6FUfaEDjObLbCzQqoVD1ffW37mEW-G69MPZW5ewPhMEZTzGcMGhdfgoLnP3oe3kE1XK_8HXX_It2NHheQ_uJcIMhRr5u76a9QFLg1qYMrXVMR6Le6Ar_iPmrh7hhzjswF8AD0/s1600/IMG_1381.1.12.08w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcLIFcb6FUfaEDjObLbCzQqoVD1ffW37mEW-G69MPZW5ewPhMEZTzGcMGhdfgoLnP3oe3kE1XK_8HXX_It2NHheQ_uJcIMhRr5u76a9QFLg1qYMrXVMR6Le6Ar_iPmrh7hhzjswF8AD0/s320/IMG_1381.1.12.08w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Woolly bears or Isabella moths
(<i>Pyrractia isabella</i>)<br />
amicably sleeping under bark in January<br />
©
Beatriz Moisset</div>
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</tbody></table>
We have all seen the fat, furry coated
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140713204814/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/tiger-moths-and-woolly-bears-oh-my.html">woolly bears</a> in the fall. They are the fully grown caterpillars of
one of the tiger moths, the Isabella moth. They move to a gallop on
the ground in search of something. That something isn’t food;
instead, it is a place under bark or leaf litter where they can sleep
cozily until the next spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6wsydSuQfCfr7GpKm9h6Gbr8yx6LingFxNXjL6Tgzomh05DoUX84cyTr2SaqHaiRmbXtZOdb-VRqkTuZzkBiOzXDk7aMYk_Ph54plGOTAYxwY6R5AdM0ZtXzjS68iAccsj_4Xe57IGM/s1600/46205039w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6wsydSuQfCfr7GpKm9h6Gbr8yx6LingFxNXjL6Tgzomh05DoUX84cyTr2SaqHaiRmbXtZOdb-VRqkTuZzkBiOzXDk7aMYk_Ph54plGOTAYxwY6R5AdM0ZtXzjS68iAccsj_4Xe57IGM/s320/46205039w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Banded hairstreak (<i>Satyrium calanus</i>)<br />
It
will pass the winter as eggs<br />
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A pretty little butterfly, the banded
hairstreak, is an example of one that spends the winter as an egg.
Hairstreaks get their name for the two hair-like or antenna-like
projections of their back wings. Hungry birds get confused, not
knowing which end is which and end up with a mouthful of wing. This
allows the butterfly to escape with only minor damage, instead of
losing its head.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2. A few migrate to warmer climates</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4isOZQzzCpW6oTaVg-khYVSfSLUYGy6EpBDmSgg4GPU7onu9NsrLt8V4sCPTdyN0xZfOHKn6LICg9zaqw-phnyVHzK55GQFfnVVS0_77X8KI84BOaIhVhZ-UlVlsz4gfx5-f-kf3ink/s1600/IMG_7845.vanessa.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4isOZQzzCpW6oTaVg-khYVSfSLUYGy6EpBDmSgg4GPU7onu9NsrLt8V4sCPTdyN0xZfOHKn6LICg9zaqw-phnyVHzK55GQFfnVVS0_77X8KI84BOaIhVhZ-UlVlsz4gfx5-f-kf3ink/s320/IMG_7845.vanessa.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Painted lady (<i>Vanessa cardui</i>)<br />
a long
distance traveler<br />
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, for the travelers in search of
warmer weather: The first one that comes to mind is the <a href="http://fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml">monarch butterfly.</a> We all know about its long trek to the mountains of
Mexico. Many websites provide abundant information about their long
journey, much of it gathered by monarch lovers, not just by
scientists.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRUskfdIC96m-Bm1yCf9ElJBje9BtqauYflOTgh-3rhwYSZnZ-PKx9HPr16E5bV9SyJz0si1V_iN1uWlerFlazNxNTOmTgQNIuA708KFwLhU-yuGlCRNPWT_0vRRS9phWVjTg8Vt1wsQ/s1600/IMG_2775.9.11.buckeye.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRUskfdIC96m-Bm1yCf9ElJBje9BtqauYflOTgh-3rhwYSZnZ-PKx9HPr16E5bV9SyJz0si1V_iN1uWlerFlazNxNTOmTgQNIuA708KFwLhU-yuGlCRNPWT_0vRRS9phWVjTg8Vt1wsQ/s320/IMG_2775.9.11.buckeye.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Common buckeye (<i>Junonia coenia</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
on seaside goldenrod in New Jersey<br />
A
traveler in its way south<br />
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It may surprise you that the monarch is
<a href="http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2013/11/globetrotting-butterflies.html">not the only traveler</a> among butterflies. The<a href="http://vanessa.ent.iastate.edu/"> red admiral, the painted lady</a>, the <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/common_buckeye.htm">common buckeye</a> and the <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/bfly2/cloudless_sulphur.htm">cloudless sulphur</a> are among
the migrants that head from northern United States or even from
Canada all the way to southern states and as far as Mexico and
Central America. Some of their itineraries rival those of the
monarch. However, we still don’t know much about their travels.
Some members of the mentioned species stay in southern states year
round and don’t venture far, while their adventurous brothers and
sisters cover large distances. Some engage in pilgrimages in large
numbers only some years but not others. I wish we knew as much about
all of them as we do about the monarch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih78tjaJ4pl7Ml76t6AwTiSXm_A9ZqNFAbg4oWAmlgEVBTXpfzODQVgQIqufHMeL2KY5rypHE2rvJkxvBrWCw1ZrWxBctRM1vzBwTPLkHn-w2_RU04zEN-tdVE1z2EWgJ8IXv9fOCGHcU/s1600/bugguide.31527.Lynette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih78tjaJ4pl7Ml76t6AwTiSXm_A9ZqNFAbg4oWAmlgEVBTXpfzODQVgQIqufHMeL2KY5rypHE2rvJkxvBrWCw1ZrWxBctRM1vzBwTPLkHn-w2_RU04zEN-tdVE1z2EWgJ8IXv9fOCGHcU/s320/bugguide.31527.Lynette.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cloudless sulphur (<i>Phoebis sennae</i>)<br />
A
long distance traveler<br />
<a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/31527/bgimage">© Lynette Elliott</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3. Even fewer hunker down and wait for
spring to come</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally, a handful of species use a
different strategy. The adults find a quiet and secure place where to
stay safe until the first signs of warmth in the air. <a href="http://www2.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/mourning_cloak.htm">Mourning cloaks</a>
and <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/eastern_comma.htm">comma butterflies</a> belong to this category. This is why they are
the first butterflies to be seen in the spring. They may show up
before winter is over before any flowers have started blooming. Here,
in southeastern Pennsylvania I have seen mourning cloaks as early as
February. Lucky for them, they prefer tree sap and rotten fruit to
nectar.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN2PV2KGy5xzkBVfPjh78HgkiJNSdVxAmWcIg50nreTAD3iMURWU4W7XfXQJTMLGBRZsD9T063O5zBOCTnVaVd9kxkFS7_596rvbgcK9T25BHaBbxiepNnu2yD4-M4tFmeiGJ7QzhEvk/s1600/IMG_2055.3.30.08w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN2PV2KGy5xzkBVfPjh78HgkiJNSdVxAmWcIg50nreTAD3iMURWU4W7XfXQJTMLGBRZsD9T063O5zBOCTnVaVd9kxkFS7_596rvbgcK9T25BHaBbxiepNnu2yD4-M4tFmeiGJ7QzhEvk/s320/IMG_2055.3.30.08w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mourning cloak (<i>Nymphalis
antiopa</i>)<br />
taking advantage of a warm day in February<br />
© Beatriz
Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mourning cloaks have a rich brown color
with a white rim and a series of blue dots along the back edge of the
wings. It is said that it resembles a cape that mourners used to wear
years ago. All they need in winter is a secluded place, which
surprisingly may happen to be in plain sight as illustrated in the
article <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704051732/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/mourning-cloak/">Wildlife Garden Visitor – Mourning Cloak</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaMoAmDynS5rvNSQ_Q061FIrhdf2HbN__0FewRZnWg31lmspftG6Fm0J6PHREVrzVCALdTEFbLTZWSnXCB2YfCWercUWrHErtpxy0A3q5Mn9KYu_yj6Y61afxmsl4sCKYm2bwehP012U/s1600/IMG_2119.10.10.comma_.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaMoAmDynS5rvNSQ_Q061FIrhdf2HbN__0FewRZnWg31lmspftG6Fm0J6PHREVrzVCALdTEFbLTZWSnXCB2YfCWercUWrHErtpxy0A3q5Mn9KYu_yj6Y61afxmsl4sCKYm2bwehP012U/s320/IMG_2119.10.10.comma_.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eastern comma (<i>Polygonia comma</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
getting ready for winter in October<br />
©
Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The eastern comma butterfly’s wings
have ragged edges and the colors of fallen leaves. The ones born in
the spring die before summer is over. The ones born during the summer
look slightly different, with a frosty rim along the far edge. They
sleep quietly all winter, hiding among dead leaves camouflaged by
their colors and shape.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In summary, as mentioned several times
by members of this blog, gardening for butterflies must include
winter habitat, such as dead leaves, debris, even piles of dead logs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here are a few articles that deal with
winter habitat for butterflies: (ed. note: links to the archived sites load slowly.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Judy Burris. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140702194823/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/where-do-butterflies-spend-the-winter.html">Where do butterflies spend the winter?</a><br />
Heather Holm. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140702194823/http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/where-do-butterflies-spend-the-winter.html">Habitats of Overwintering Insects</a>
<br />
Beatriz Moisset. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140701220016/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/pollinators-and-the-garden-in-winter/">Pollinators and the Garden in Winter</a><br />
Pat
Sutton. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140713042628/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/untidy-wildlife-gardens/">A Love of Untidy Wildlife Gardens and Why!</a><br />
Pat Sutton.
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704051732/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/mourning-cloak/">Wildlife Garden Visitor – Mourning Cloak</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://fyi.uwex.edu/sewmg/files/2011/01/Winter-Survival-Strategies.pdf"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">WinterSurvival Strategies of Common Wisconsin Butterflies</span></span></b></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2013, Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20160422025123/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a></div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-91595797055493496202016-09-28T18:59:00.004-04:002016-10-01T15:53:19.823-04:00Deer Running through the Pepperdine Lawn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9bT_rAaeCAHFKvqN9a4pwd9c67alRnLHzaTOorElPJu1_nXqKwueBzLxRSHGxDpkTQuuaB1blR2p8_BDTPzKkmdV5aYzzW8QP6fQwFPU_D6M4bySQ-YcSG2kLhJci4eiAmel5Bw8QMeL/s640/What%2527s+Scaring+Wildlife-2+deer-in-topanga-park-500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer Running Through Wildlife Corridor in Topanga State Park,<br />
Photo by VenturaCountyTrails.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12pt;">It is so dry that deer have appeared on the Pepperdine lawn. Anyone who has spent any time in Malibu or has just driven up the Pacific Coast Highway has seen that huge expanse of green-covered hillside that is the front lawn of Pepperdine University. I try not to think about how much water it takes to keep it green throughout the summer! Now, it seems that the Santa Monica Mountains are so dry that deer are bringing their families down to the Pepperdine lawn to drink the freshly watered lawn, even in January!</span></i></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>California's Drought Emergency</u></b></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown officially declared a drought emergency in California. 2014 had been the state’s driest year on record, with reservoir levels dropping and no rain in sight. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was the third dry winter in a row, and the Dept. of Agriculture declared a natural disaster for 27 California Counties, largely because of the impact on agriculture throughout the State.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, fast forward to 2016. We have had 5 years of drought, and this year for the first time ever the Governor had to implement statewide water rationing. He urged us to take a moment to think about how we are all connected to each other in a time of water crisis, as well as being connected to the plants and animals that live here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b>It is time to be a sustainable gardener in California. What better time to ditch that lawn? </b></u></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More than 50 percent of water use goes to landscaping, in particular lawns. Besides being water hogs, lawns are unhealthy (to us, to our pets, and to butterflies) because of the high amount of pesticides used to keep them up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why not let your lawn go brown? There are plenty of websites and videos that can show you how to </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">lose your lawn</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> incl.what </span><span style="color: #21c250; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Lawn_Replacement/Grass_Removal_Methods/">grass removal method</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Lawn_Replacement/Grass_Removal_Methods/"> </a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> would work best for you, such as the easy and popular lasagna style.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>What will replace my lawn?</u></b></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. You can remove entire lawns and replace them with Zen gardens of big boulders and tiny rocks that are raked into designs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Or, you can plant meadow seed mixes. </span><span style="color: #21c250; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://theodorepayne.org/">Theodore Payne’s Nursery</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> is an excellent source for California native wildflower seeds and grasses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Make your lawn smaller and your borders deeper. Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your borders. I love Salvias for their drought-tolerance and variety.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Make a center island design for a native plant or pollinator garden in the center of your lawn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Other water saving measures without losing the lawn include:</u></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Reduce your water use in the garden by keeping your topsoil from drying out using mulch in flower beds and small stones in garden paths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Capturing gray water from laundry and showers to reuse in watering the garden. This made a huge difference in my Topanga Canyon garden!</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><u>California Gardens Don't Rest in Winter:</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In most of the country, where snow falls and covers the lawns for months, the ground gets to rest, and the gardener gets to rest, too. Out West, we try to keep things green all year long even in dry summers. Now it seems we can’t rely on all that imported water from places like the Colorado River to keep our manicured lawns looking their best year round. Instead, we need to make the best use of our precious resources: We need to be more sustainable gardeners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Being a Sustainable Gardener:</u></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What does that mean? To be a sustainable gardener means to use as little of nature’s resources as possible, and to create gardens that will take care of themselves for years to come. There is no better proven way to do this than to landscape with native plants. Native plants are naturally adapted to the conditions in which they live. While some are more drought-tolerant than others, most native plants only require extra water when they are first planted and are getting acclimated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If we Southern Californians are serious about living lightly on the land, we have to remember that the water piped in here is imported, every drop taking away from the water tables of other places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luckily, our mild autumn weather gives native gardeners an opportunity to still get out there and make some big <b>changes right now</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Not sure where to start?</u></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look for native plants that do not need a lot of rainfall (drought tolerant). There are <span style="color: #21c250;">nurseries that specialize in natives in your area</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that would be happy to help you with ideas. Note: Plan</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ts called Xeriscape plants are drought tolerant, but are not necessarily native plants. So if you want to bring a balance to the ecosystem of your garden, you want to opt for adding drought-tolerant California natives instead of plants from elsewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contact the <a href="http://www.cnps.org/">California Native Plant Society</a> for suggestions on choosing native plants in your region, where to find them, and where to see them.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of my all-time favorite native plants that are drought tolerant and also beneficial to pollinators include all of the Sages (<i>Salvia</i>): White Sage, Purple Sage, Black Sage. These are all bee, hummingbird and butterfly magnets, plus they stay green all year long, creating a nice backdrop for many other natives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ditched or reduced your lawn? Do you have any water conserving tips? If so, we’d love to hear from you~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">© 2014, <a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/"><span style="color: #21c250;">Kathy Vilim</span></a>. All rights reserved.</span></div>
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Kat Vilimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211353524750166645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-71612999440414084462016-08-19T15:50:00.001-04:002019-12-29T16:25:00.168-05:00Pollinator-Friendly Lawns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn and more lawn. © Catherine Zimmerman</td></tr>
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Ordinarily a lawn is a desert, unwelcoming to wildlife from tiny insects to birds. The total surface of lawns in the United States has been estimated with the help of satellite technology as somewhere between 40,000 and 75,000 square miles, somewhere between the size of New York State and that of Texas. Some gardeners have started replacing large sections of grass ground cover with garden plants or meadow grasses in an effort to create beneficial habitat for wildlife. Many articles in “Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens” discuss the advantages of reducing the size of lawns and provide abundant suggestions on how to do it (see references below).<br />
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New River Gorge Bridge Visitor Center. WV.</div>
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A meadow replaces most of the lawn</div>
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© Beatriz Moissset </div>
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Still, we need some patches of lawn here and there. What can we do to turn them into more ecologically functional areas? We want a turf that supplies food for pollinators and even birds and that provides housing for pollinators and for pest control insects, also called biocontrols. This is not an entirely novel idea. A recent article in Scientific American by Ferris Jabr, “<a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/brainwaves/outgrowing-the-traditional-grass-lawn/">Outgrowing the Traditional Grass Lawn</a>” summarizes the efforts of several groups in this subject. Lionel Smith’s has spent several years developing “<a href="http://blogs.reading.ac.uk/grass-free-lawns/rethinking-the-traditional-grass-lawn/">Grass-free Lawns</a>.” He resides in England; still his work could serve as a model and inspiration to those who live in North America. In the United States, two people worth mentioning for their work on bee-friendly lawns are <a href="https://www.beelab.umn.edu/sites/beelab.umn.edu/files/floweringlawninfoenrtflogo.pdf">Marla Spivak</a> and <a href="http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/UserFiles/File/Bee%20Lawn%20info%20for%20Arb%20website%20.pdf">Mary Meyer</a> of the University of Minnesota.</div>
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Native violets do well where traffic</div>
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© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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If we want a nature-friendly lawn, we need to start by readjusting our notions of aesthetics. A perfectly manicured grass cover that looks like an indoor green carpet need not be the only ideal of beauty. On the other hand a plot rich in biodiversity is ecologically healthier than the sterile, monotonous one that passes for lawn nowadays. We can learn to appreciate the natural beauty of a field rich in a variety of low-growing plants including broad-leaved “weeds.” In fact, let us remove the negative connotations of this word by calling them “grass companions” instead.</div>
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Bluets make good grass companions </div>
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© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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The very first step is to avoid insecticides and herbicides whenever possible. The choice of broad-leaved small plants that you can allow in your lawn is a little trickier and it may take some time to achieve the right combination. The final product would be a pleasant ground cover, hospitable to pollinators, biocontrols and birds. It would require less care and less fertilizing. It would also be more resilient to droughts and pests.</div>
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Some asters can endure</div>
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a good amount of mowing</div>
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These escaped from the surrounding meadow </div>
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© Beatriz Moisset </div>
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And they welcome many pollinators </div>
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© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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Numerous little flowering plants grow among the blades of grass completely uninvited. Too bad that we are so determined to get rid of them! We could start welcoming some of them. This is Nature’s way to restore balance to the ecosystem by introducing biodiversity. Ideally, a pollinator-friendly turf would include only non-invasive lawn flowers, preferably native ones. These goals may require more work than many gardeners are willing to invest. Perhaps we should tolerate some non-native flowering plants in the mix; after all most grass seed mixes are made up primarily of non-native grasses. A few examples of turf grasses introduced from Europe or Asia are: perennial rye grass (<i>Lolium perenne</i>), several fescues (<i>Festuca</i> spp.), Bermuda grass (<i>Cynodon dactylon</i>) and Zoysia grass (<i>Zoysia japonica</i>). Even the so called <a href="https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_popr.pdf">Kentucky bluegrass</a> (<i>Poa pratensis</i>) isn't native. It is a European species.</div>
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Buckeye butterfly on asters </div>
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The following list of plants for a pollinator-friendly lawn is highly tentative and locally restricted to my region, the Mid Atlantic. Feedback would be most welcome. Some of my favorite grass companions, such as violets, bluets and spring beauties do well only where foot traffic is minimal, or when mowed infrequently. Others can take a good amount of abuse. Let us hope that the concept of pollinator-friendly lawns takes hold in the entire country.</div>
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<b>Native species of grass companions</b></div>
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<li>Blue eyed grasses (<i>Sisyrinchium</i>, several species) not a true grass but a member of the iris family, with pretty blue flowers</li>
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<li>Cinquefoils, (<i>Potentilla</i>). Similar to wild strawberries</li>
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<li>Wild strawberries (<i>Fragaria</i>, several species). The five lobed leaves of this and those of cinquefoils are very similar in appearance</li>
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<li>Yellow violets (<i>Viola pennsylvanica</i>). A few other species of violets are also native</li>
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<li>Spring beauties (<i>Claytonia</i> spp.)</li>
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<li>Wild geraniums, crane’s-bills (Geranium spp.)</li>
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<li>Azure bluets (<i>Houstonia caerulea</i>)</li>
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<li>Speedwells (<i>Veronica</i>), with several species, some native others introduced</li>
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<li>Wood sorrel (<i>Oxalis acetosella</i>), used as ground cover by some gardeners</li>
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<li>Smartweeds, knotweeds, many species in the genus <i>Polygonum</i>; some are small enough to do well in lawns. Some species are native and others introduced</li>
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<ul>
<li>Asters (<i>Symphyotrichum</i> spp.) are great in the fall. Some grow rather tall, better for a meadow than a lawn; but if mowed not too frequently, they can do well and bloom heavily inviting many species of pollinators</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Chickweeds include two genera: <i>Cerastium</i> and <i>Stellaria</i>. They are also known by several other common names; some species, such as field chickweed, (<i>Cerastium arvense</i>) and star chickweed (<i>Stellaria pubera</i>), are native. They are small enough to do well in lawns</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Non-native species of grass companions</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Clover, (white clover, <i>Trifolium repens</i>) a European plant very well established in the United States. Grass-seed mixes used to include it. It is highly beneficial because it fixes nitrogen, thus enriching the soil. Newly developed herbicides killed clover, along with the undesirable broad-leaved weeds, so it was declared a weed by the gardening industry and removed from grass-seed mixes. A few <a href="http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TRIFO">species of clover are native to some regions of North America</a> and it may be possible to grow them as grass companions</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Creeping thyme (<i>Thymus serpyllum</i>) has sometimes been used as ground cover</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Chickweed, also called starweed, winterweed, satin flower or tongue grass (<i>Stellaria media</i>), is not native. Its seeds are eaten by some birds, hence the name chickweed. It has very small, star shaped flowers</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Gill over the ground, or ground ivy (<i>Glechoma hederacea</i>), is rather pretty but it tends to become invasive</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale</i>) is among the non-native plants that have become ubiquitous throughout the country. There are also some native dandelions</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>References</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140713050608/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/how-to-remove-lawn/">Chipping Away at the Grass: How to Remove Lawn, a Little at a Time</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704032850/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/covering-ground-the-native-way/">Covering Ground the Native Way</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140702064027/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/covering-the-ground-why-fight-mother-nature/">Covering the Ground. Why Fight Mother Nature?</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704020024/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/finding-native-groundcovers/">Finding Native Groundcovers</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704185458/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/from-lawn-to-wildlife-habitat/">From Lawn to Wildlife Habitat</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140720152048/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/how-much-lawn-to-install-and-maintain-a-protocol-for-deciding">How Much Lawn To Install and Maintain?</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704055810/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/less-lawn-more-butterflies/">Less Lawn, More Butterflies</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140806210335/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/meadow-lawns/">Meadow-Lawns</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140704203528/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/revolutionize-your-lawn/">Revolutionize Your Lawn</a><br />
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20140713053513/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/turf-how-to-green-the-american-lawn/">Turf: How to Green the American Lawn</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2013, Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20160422025123/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a></div>
</div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407705738858828764.post-43692871796085358492016-08-11T13:03:00.001-04:002017-04-24T16:43:48.101-04:00In Praise of Wasps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZqpGlpOIrEExWwQkI1j-ZNt8XvNruQjguMD5HVyFMx8TAjdt4h4uSpuV2US7KcodBsvLpbQCVwp1esP6CcRHaNFSwLFnXWB7YtXp3fMRktKi8bM8lS1NiRbnqRv4sX5j0Tf-8gLXxI4/s1600/IMG_8929.8.11.07.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZqpGlpOIrEExWwQkI1j-ZNt8XvNruQjguMD5HVyFMx8TAjdt4h4uSpuV2US7KcodBsvLpbQCVwp1esP6CcRHaNFSwLFnXWB7YtXp3fMRktKi8bM8lS1NiRbnqRv4sX5j0Tf-8gLXxI4/s320/IMG_8929.8.11.07.w.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Southern Yellowjacket (<i>Vespula
squamosa</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2007 Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most people I talk to express an
inordinate hatred for wasps. They agree that bees are important
because they are pollinators, but think that wasps play no role in
nature other than mistreat us with their stings. It is time that
somebody comes to their defense. I will do more than that; I will
sing their virtues.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy2dPP4tz_tayoLgKP4fw0L59yDQHMzsXIV3zNYgD2zfXdVD3M3cluPraleLJL3PDAWn7M_6Vul-V7MT_cdYqEBJXPek48xdJI6sKjc4Z0q7Mt8L3HZqHjJye1uhSuK1Z2_YN6zSBjpA/s1600/P8085134.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy2dPP4tz_tayoLgKP4fw0L59yDQHMzsXIV3zNYgD2zfXdVD3M3cluPraleLJL3PDAWn7M_6Vul-V7MT_cdYqEBJXPek48xdJI6sKjc4Z0q7Mt8L3HZqHjJye1uhSuK1Z2_YN6zSBjpA/s320/P8085134.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eastern yellowjacket (<i>Vespula
maculifrons</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
on introduced Queen-Anne’s-lace</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2004 Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A huge number of insects qualify as
wasps. But I intend to discuss only the ones you are most likely to
encounter and fear because of their sting. So, I will leave aside all
the parasitic wasps. They do not sting and you are not likely to
notice their existence because most are small and lead obscure lives
out of our sight. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPP6VSbGL8Vr4uR7cT4WauZviQItBkIknOCwulsSSrr08jCoVd6ranuhFGki3fKjqs5CgTKHaY1bnvZWqE8GWWOvcvrOcTuZ0fAoYfOlRosfR7MpIS11K1yw5O8CkBUp28HBhSaijSyg/s1600/IMG_7824.8.25.12w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPP6VSbGL8Vr4uR7cT4WauZviQItBkIknOCwulsSSrr08jCoVd6ranuhFGki3fKjqs5CgTKHaY1bnvZWqE8GWWOvcvrOcTuZ0fAoYfOlRosfR7MpIS11K1yw5O8CkBUp28HBhSaijSyg/s1600/IMG_7824.8.25.12w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPP6VSbGL8Vr4uR7cT4WauZviQItBkIknOCwulsSSrr08jCoVd6ranuhFGki3fKjqs5CgTKHaY1bnvZWqE8GWWOvcvrOcTuZ0fAoYfOlRosfR7MpIS11K1yw5O8CkBUp28HBhSaijSyg/s320/IMG_7824.8.25.12w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Parasitic wasp laying eggs in stinkbug
eggs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cluster is 1/4″ wide</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I will only mention a couple of examples to make my
point. A tiny wasp lays its eggs inside stinkbug eggs. Their babies
spend all their larval life inside one egg and they come out only
when fully grown and ready to fly in search of other eggs. The fig
wasp does something similar. It goes inside a fig and lays eggs into
the seeds. It also pollinates the fruit to make sure that its babies
have food. The entire life of a fig wasp occurs inside a seed. When
it reaches adulthood, it picks up some pollen and flies to another
fig to repeat the story. I bet you didn’t know you were eating some
dead tiny wasps along with your tasty figs?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4ufLjGI1nPRP2EJHPjlECim600owNrwHrT_vozPt1MDAimHWyHc_bShWALuVdZoluq0z01wJ8SwH8uezuLsbnxtAuOT0zGYGRhxfm_IrnHvsytI0P4aieKIayZvY0RaArqajibXxag0/s1600/P9190559.w-300x269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4ufLjGI1nPRP2EJHPjlECim600owNrwHrT_vozPt1MDAimHWyHc_bShWALuVdZoluq0z01wJ8SwH8uezuLsbnxtAuOT0zGYGRhxfm_IrnHvsytI0P4aieKIayZvY0RaArqajibXxag0/s1600/P9190559.w-300x269.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bald-faced hornet (<i>Dolichovespula
maculata</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2004 Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Getting back to the main subject, what
concerns you in your garden are the stinging wasps. Among them, your
strongest antipathy is directed to the aggressive hornets and
yellowjackets. These and the paper wasps and mason and potter wasps
belong to the family Vespidae (from the Latin word for wasp). Whether
you like it or not, they play a valuable role in gardens and natural
ecosystems.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33GswA6HfO8PmInCugB7Z0ELryDgNIu5K91RA-HHvFVPRf8O0zVhFyd1YJGH7PcmBp8SRYT6SwDbrIyAg4Ke8WpySIn195VlNBeFlSMsBgRDheSIDUWdl1G3qs7-SPLY4fHxWHqg1EP4/s1600/IMG_0812.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33GswA6HfO8PmInCugB7Z0ELryDgNIu5K91RA-HHvFVPRf8O0zVhFyd1YJGH7PcmBp8SRYT6SwDbrIyAg4Ke8WpySIn195VlNBeFlSMsBgRDheSIDUWdl1G3qs7-SPLY4fHxWHqg1EP4/s320/IMG_0812.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paper wasp (<i>Polistes</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2004 Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The stinging wasps are relatively
hairless, thinner than bees and with a narrow waistband.
Yellowjackets have a pronounced pattern of dark brown or black and
yellow bands. There is also the black and white hornet. Hornets and
yellowjackets build large paper nests and raise hundreds of workers
each season. They ferociously defend their nests against intruders,
real or imaginary. These colonies last one year unlike honey bee
hives that continue for several years. At the end of summer or in the
fall, the workers appear disoriented and abandon the nest. At that
point, they are likely to become a nuisance at your picnic table
searching for scraps. Soon after, they die. The only survivors are
the new queens that find a safe place to spend the winter and will
start a new colony the following year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuAS1BiGU5mj6psxOMpkolhoJIkdYBjza9Mu1Vxx7UrVXu85-xTp2NoMOFKHVEvJcEpvfhxApG39xZPsHg11D8a9sDC91m6WTfybxZTs25H1AOX-yJTgDSa0HvOl5PzfeWcyDuuZ0Ptk/s1600/P9020107.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuAS1BiGU5mj6psxOMpkolhoJIkdYBjza9Mu1Vxx7UrVXu85-xTp2NoMOFKHVEvJcEpvfhxApG39xZPsHg11D8a9sDC91m6WTfybxZTs25H1AOX-yJTgDSa0HvOl5PzfeWcyDuuZ0Ptk/s320/P9020107.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Potter wasp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2004 Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not all wasps are so vicious. Other
members of the Vespidae family have a milder attitude than
yellowjackets or hornets. Paper wasps build small umbrella-shaped
nests where they raise a small handful of babies. Curiously, some
people manage <a href="https://entomologytoday.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/feeding-meme-big.jpg">to feed paper wasps</a> as if they were pets. Potter wasps
construct adorable little pots which they stuff with caterpillars
before depositing an egg inside. Several types of mason wasps build
clay nests or use an available hole.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDYxDs-EKzAHzkJY9xPTp-RWa5_wp97au6Vr1YeMQa3zFvnCOc_11TB3x9jvUt9mCizoBElpUt00ewxF1_WXNLg4d59OOfGrQZdlifeiB4Rzhwq1_pefLYVeQ-EZCHkkdMuQntr_k3c4/s1600/IMG_9080.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDYxDs-EKzAHzkJY9xPTp-RWa5_wp97au6Vr1YeMQa3zFvnCOc_11TB3x9jvUt9mCizoBElpUt00ewxF1_WXNLg4d59OOfGrQZdlifeiB4Rzhwq1_pefLYVeQ-EZCHkkdMuQntr_k3c4/s320/IMG_9080.w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hornet’s nest.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It hang from a tree at my friend’s
front yard</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the whole summer without mishaps</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2014 Beatriz Moisset</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now for their good qualities: wasps are
terrific pest controls. The adults need little protein and live
mostly on nectar or honeydew, but tirelessly hunt for caterpillars,
beetle grubs, grasshoppers, flies and other insects to feed the
hungry larvae. They well deserve the name of biological controls or
biocontrols.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbIn_7Wsl0Cc2MZMxCcmCtQr10nHUW7yfZEsG0n_sSONzRNl51SvtRPPPeU20a5SF76Pori4EtZBO9FsVs4bxvTMWMCxqEvFxX-IK7tfyuCeP2yD6-ugKBPDoCHiLnuv6MuanJK3hLn0/s1600/IMG_7908.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbIn_7Wsl0Cc2MZMxCcmCtQr10nHUW7yfZEsG0n_sSONzRNl51SvtRPPPeU20a5SF76Pori4EtZBO9FsVs4bxvTMWMCxqEvFxX-IK7tfyuCeP2yD6-ugKBPDoCHiLnuv6MuanJK3hLn0/s320/IMG_7908.w.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paper wasp (<i>Polistes</i>) nest
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They grow to get a little larger than
this</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
©Beatriz Moisset</div>
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</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I will paraphrase an organic farmer
friend of mine: “We love our wasps, and they do a great job for us.
If it weren’t for them, I’m afraid we’d have to use
pesticides.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMoyQizHauTtuiyNgj69QXfbv_NdtfUjvv2pj3jbU_YFWIAl7t3i0ao1fxdUcrCWPzpm-uUGU_up9aYR9KgD3dpxLXH4dGR_dqOKIdtXde8jMlxbM2_MTH8V6Jz0e8U_iduHN0Lk_rSI/s1600/IMG_8823.res_-300x235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMoyQizHauTtuiyNgj69QXfbv_NdtfUjvv2pj3jbU_YFWIAl7t3i0ao1fxdUcrCWPzpm-uUGU_up9aYR9KgD3dpxLXH4dGR_dqOKIdtXde8jMlxbM2_MTH8V6Jz0e8U_iduHN0Lk_rSI/s1600/IMG_8823.res_-300x235.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Potter wasp nest on goldenrod leaf
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© Beatriz Moisset</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Remember that the wasps you see
visiting your flowers have no intention to sting you. It is only a
few species and only when they are near their nests that they become
protective and aggressive. As a matter of fact, in the many years I
have been photographing flower visitors I never suffered a sting. If
you grew up hating and fearing wasps, it would be unrealistic to
expect you to love them after reading this. All I hope for is that
you start developing a healthy appreciation of the good things they
do for your garden, cleaning numerous pests from your plants.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Resources</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If wasps are giving you trouble, and
even wasp lovers sometimes need to get rid of nests located too close
for comfort, don’t rush to call an exterminator. Check some
reputable sites and consider their advice.<br />
*<a href="http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/ipm/manual/yellowja.cfm">National Park Service</a><br />
*<a href="http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/BUL/BUL0852.pdf">University of Idaho factsheet</a><br />
*<a href="http://courses.washington.edu/insects/454Students/Resources/WASPS.htm">Managing Yellow Jackets in the Puget Sound Region</a>. Evan A. Sugden, Ph.D.<br />
*<a href="http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7450.html">University of California. Davis</a><br />
*<a href="http://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/alternatives/factsheets/Wasp%20Control2.pdf">Beyondpesticides.org</a><br />
*<a href="http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionNatureNotes/SuburbanSurvivalGuides/YellowJackets.aspx">New Jersey Audubon Society</a><br />
*<a href="https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/paperwasp.htm">North Carolina State University</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
© 2014, Beatriz Moisset. First published in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20160422025123/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens</a></div>
</div>
</div>
Beatriz Moissethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05745938472052790104noreply@blogger.com