This week: Is White Snakeroot a wildflower or weed?
Hello! This week let’s take a look at a “free” native plant that is in bloom everywhere right now—White Snakeroot, or Ageratina altissima. Perhaps you’ve...
This week: Ironweed in Bloom
Hello! September is here, and that means Ironweed is in full bloom. Ironweed’s deep purple flower clusters begin to emerge in August and last well into...
This week: Edging for a finishing touch
Hello, Let's talk about something often overlooked - edging, the border that surrounds your garden beds. Edging provides an opportunity for you to express...
This week: Shade-loving Sensitive Fern
Hello! Spot this easy-to-identify plant on your next walk in the woods and you’ll look like a fern expert! Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is a native...
This week: Jewelweed explodes
Let’s talk about a type of flower I rarely cover: a native annual. Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is an annual flower that grows like a weed and, to some, is...
This week: Cardinal Flower Blooms
A favorite summer-blooming native of mine is Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) because it brings bold color and a shot of drama to the garden. The best...
This week: Eastern Tiger Swallowtails Flutter By
Hello! It’s the height of summer blooms here in Pittsburgh, and with that, I’ve been noticing quite a few Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio...
This week: Native Trumpet Vine—pest or problem-solver?
Hello! I confess that I am not a fan of vines. Every time I consider intentionally planting one, I think of all the time I spend pulling invasive English...
This week: Swamp Milkweed (Yes, another milkweed!)
Hello! So far this summer we looked at both Butterfly Weed and Common Milkweed, and now a third beneficial milkweed beauty is blooming—Asclepius incarnata,...
This week: Fritillary Butterflies
Hello! Brace yourself for mediocre butterfly photography! This week I spotted some Greater Fritillary Butterflies (genus Speyeria) frolicking in a native...
This week: Sweetshrubs, native and hybrid
Hello! This week at the park, I spotted a gorgeous Sweetshrub (sometimes called Carolina Allspice) in bloom. At a glance, it was easy to tell that it wasn’t...
This week: More Milkweed!
Hello! Last week we dug into Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed). As tall as a 12 year old child and an aggressive spreader, it is not right for every...
This week: Everyone’s favorite native, milkweed
Hello! Pollinators rejoice—Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) is in flower! According to the USDA, more than 450 insects feed on the plant, from milkweed...
This week: Native Possumhaw Viburnum
Hello! This week I spotted a native cultivar of Possumhaw Viburnum about to burst into bloom—Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur.’ Cultivars of Possumhaw Viburnum are...
This week: Penstemon digitalis blooms
Hello! Just as the flowers on Baptisia and Golden Alexanders fade, in comes Penstemon digitalis! Commonly called foxglove beardtongue, this eastern North...
This week: Native Blue Flag Iris
Hello! You’re probably familiar with Bearded Irises or even Siberian Irises, but did you know there’s an Iris that is native to the northeastern U.S.? Clumps...
This week: Golden Alexanders grow practically anywhere
Hello! Whether you’re walking through the shady woods or basking in the sun, whether it’s been a dry spring or a really soggy one, one native flower will...
This week: Eastern Bee Balm, an early bloomer
Hello! This week my seed starting patience finally paid off. Back in January 2022, I sowed a packet of Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Bee Balm) as part of my...
This week: Ohio Buckeye Throws Shade
Hello! First, a quick note: I recently updated the list of native perennials, shrubs, and trees available at Home Depot and Lowes—the Lowes in my area is...
This week: Keep Quaker Ladies in Your Lawn
Hello! In the past, I’ve mentioned a few favorite native lawn “weeds” that are worth preserving like wild violets and spring beauties. Let’s add another...