The overuse of pesticides is devastating our native butterfly population. We can help them recover by eliminating pesticides from our gardens, providing host plants that the caterpillars feed on, and planting flowering varieties that produce the nectar that butterflies need.
Encourage and enjoy the birds that come into your yard by creating a garden environment that both protects and nurtures them. Water is so important year round for birds; a birdbath or other water source can be a beautiful focal point in your garden as well as a resource for them. Native plants provide seed and attract insects that birds recognize and can feed on—even dead wood and brush piles provide food, protection, and nesting sites.
Native cultivars are varieties with native parentage but bred for specific characteristics. When selecting plants for your garden, it is important to recognize the importance of native plants in the local ecosystem. Native plantings bring beauty and efficiency to a garden. A native can be selected for its adaptation to a specific environment, such as sun or shade, wet or dry. If planted in its proper environment, a native plant will require much less maintenance and save money on fertilizers and pesticides. Many natives have more than one season of interest, with seedpods or fronds often standing above the snow in winter. Bonus: many native types are deer resistant!
