Western Sand Milkweed (Asclepias arenaria), a Comprehensive Guide in 9 Sections
Western Sand Milkweed (Asclepias arenaria) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in sandy open places that are dry and have full sun. It is a…
Butterflies
The High Ranking, Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
Introduction to the Red Admiral Butterfly The Red Admiral butterfly is well distributed and found on five different continents in temperate regions. This butterfly was…
The Magnificent Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in places with full sun or part shade. It is the host plant for three species of butterflies and a nectar source for other insects and the fruits are a food source for birds. The multi-colored flowers bloom in the summer and the fruits mature in the fall. Numerous horticultural varieties of this plant are found in the horticultural trade. This plant can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden shop.
The Wet-Footed Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a Sustaining and Tasty Shrub for Moths
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a shrub that grows on the shores of lakes, ponds, streams and in swamps. It is the host plant for three…
The Royal, Stately, and Elegant Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
The Queen butterfly is found in North America around Texas and the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Rarely, individuals will go north and in 2002 and 2003, some individuals were located in the Philadelphia and Reading areas of Pennsylvania (Monroe, James and David Wright. 2017. Butterflies of Pennsylvania, a field guide. University of Pittsburgh Press). It is part of the same genus as the Monarch butterfly, Danaus, and has seven recognized subspecies (Wikipedia).
Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)
Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in open areas such as meadows, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas that are dry. It…
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus glaucus), a Comprehensive Guide in 9 Sections
Introduction to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is found throughout Pennsylvania and from the midwest and eastern North America. It is…
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in open areas such as fields, woodlands, and roadsides that are mesic to dry. It…
The Majestic Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in moist places on the shores of streams, lakes, and ponds. Cardinal flower is a…
Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in open areas such as meadows, roadsides, and stream-sides. It is the host plant for…