A Comprehensive Guide to Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus alba)
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus alba) is a shrub that is native to the northeast, north-central, the western United States including Alaska, and most of Canada.…
Butterflies
18 Beautiful Illinois Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Monarch Butterflies
There are eighteen native species of Illinois milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and one adventive species that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are an important host species for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. The Monarch butterfly in particular uses the cardenolides found in the milky sap of milkweeds to give an unpleasant taste to predators. These plants are also an important nectar source to all insects visiting your pollinator garden.
8 Beautiful North Dakota Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Monarch Butterflies
North Dakota Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden There are eight species of native North Dakota milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and one historic species…
A Comprehensive Guide to Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a tree that is native to the south-central, mid-west, and eastern United States, and the province of Ontario in Canada. This plant is a host to the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), the Io Moth (Automeris io), and the Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia). Growing from 15 to 40 feet tall, this species has white, pink, green, to yellow flowers that bloom from March to May. It is hardy in zones 5-9.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
Introduction to the Spring Azure The Spring Azure is a bluish-white to grayish-white colored butterfly that is in Gossamer Wing Family (Lycaenidae). It flies in…
A Comprehensive Guide to Southern Arrow-wood (Viburnum dentatum)
Southern arrow-wood (Viburnum dentatum) is a shrub that is native to the south-central, mid-west, and eastern United States, and northeastern Canada. This plant is a…
12 Beautiful Michigan Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Monarch Butterflies
Michigan Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden There are twelve species of Michigan milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies…
A Comprehensive Guide to Long-hood Milkweed (Asclepias macrotis)
Long-hood Milkweed (Asclepias macrotis) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the south-central and southwestern United States. This plant is a host to the…
17 Nebraska Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Monarch Butterflies
Nebraska Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden There are seventeen species of Nebraska milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies…
A Comprehensive Guide to Horsetail Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata)
Horsetail Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the south-central and southwestern United States. This plant is a host to the Queen (Danaus gilippus) and Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies. Growing from 0.5 to 4 feet tall, this species has white to greenish-white colored flowers, sometimes with some purple that bloom from June to August. It is hardy in zones 5-8.