I recently revamped a fountain, and the finches love it. Likely they were already in my yard, but now they're visible to me, and they make me so happy.
Redbuds are awesome. I understand they're really popular with (and important to) all sorts of native bees (bumble, cuckoo, mining, sweat, mason, etc.) and they're larval hosts to several butterflies and moths. Birds love the flowers and the seed pods, not to mention the insects. I was today years old when I learned the blossoms are edible for humans. You can apparently put them in salads or add them to your pancakes!
Thank you, Laura. I look forward to your posts. I've planted around 12 native shrubs in my yard over the past 5 years. I think this Spring I'll plant more Summer sweet.
Hey, Susan! The first time I (knowingly) encountered summersweet was at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. It must have been in peak bloom because it smelled delicious. I understand it's a larval host plant to multiple butterflies, while the nectar and fruit are beloved by birds, butterflies, bees and even some small mammals. A winner!
Yes, and it blooms later in the summer which is also nice! I'll send photos of my garden later in the year. Not a thing of great beauty or elegance, but I have SO much fun with it!
Accept your love of Japanese maples. Don’t eliminate them unless you stop loving them. Nobody is perfect.
Plus their fall colors rival the Japanese Maple's.
Excellent point. Thank you! ;)
Eastern Redbud?
I recently revamped a fountain, and the finches love it. Likely they were already in my yard, but now they're visible to me, and they make me so happy.
Redbuds are awesome. I understand they're really popular with (and important to) all sorts of native bees (bumble, cuckoo, mining, sweat, mason, etc.) and they're larval hosts to several butterflies and moths. Birds love the flowers and the seed pods, not to mention the insects. I was today years old when I learned the blossoms are edible for humans. You can apparently put them in salads or add them to your pancakes!
Thank you, Laura. I look forward to your posts. I've planted around 12 native shrubs in my yard over the past 5 years. I think this Spring I'll plant more Summer sweet.
Hey, Susan! The first time I (knowingly) encountered summersweet was at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. It must have been in peak bloom because it smelled delicious. I understand it's a larval host plant to multiple butterflies, while the nectar and fruit are beloved by birds, butterflies, bees and even some small mammals. A winner!
Yes, and it blooms later in the summer which is also nice! I'll send photos of my garden later in the year. Not a thing of great beauty or elegance, but I have SO much fun with it!
Would love that