Plant of the Day

Friday 4 November 2022

A large deciduous climber Clematis rehderiana (cowslip clematis, nodding virgin's bower) has covered this wall of stone filled gabions. The flowers are scented providing an autumn supply of food for pollinators.

Jill Raggett

The Sweetest Blooms: Discovering the Beauty of Strawberry Flowers

There's something truly magical about strawberry plants' delicate and sweet blooms.

From their soft pink and white petals to the way they dance in the breeze, these flowers are a true sight to behold.

But the real magic of strawberry blooms lies in their potential. With each blossom comes the promise of juicy and delicious strawberries to come. And let's not forget the important role these blooms play in attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects to your garden.

So the next time you see a cluster of these sweet blooms, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and the promise they hold.

Who knows what sweet surprises the future may hold? 🍓🌸

Pollinators are facing serious threats in today's world. Habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change are just a few of the factors that have directly affected wild pollinator species and their populations over the last several decades. But there's good news: you can help support pollinators in your garden! In this article, we'll discuss some ways you can help keep your garden humming with activity from bees, butterflies, and other insects that play an important role in our ecosystem.

Butterflies can eat to live, live to eat in a balanced garden.

A favorite thing about visiting gardens in the summer is catching sight of a butterfly enjoying nectar from a brightly colored zinnia or a monarch caterpillar munching on a milkweed leaf. When designing a butterfly garden, expand and balance plant selection to provide more than nectar plants for adult butterflies. As the growing season winds down, pollinators are busy feeding and laying eggs in…

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15 Must Have Companion Plants for Edible Gardening

Companion Planting Blossom Bliss Gardening Welcome back to the vibrant world of edible gardening! Today, we embark on a journey into the art of companion planting, a gardening technique that goes beyond the ordinary. As we delve into the intricacies of this green alliance, we’ll uncover why companion planting is more than just a horticultural strategy; it’s a symphony of nature’s own design…

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May is garden for wildlife month. Consider utilizing plants that are native to your location. This can help to encourage wildlife to pollinate, eat, rest, or nest in your garden!

Hazel catkins, also known as hazelnut catkins, are the male flowers of the hazelnut tree. Here are some ways to use hazel catkins: Make natural dye: Hazel catkins contain tannins and can be used to make a yellow dye for fabric or paper. Use for landscaping: Hazel catkins are attractive to pollinators and can be used as a natural insecticide or fertilizer. They can also be used for landscaping and as a natural mulch for plants. Make tea: Hazel catkins can be dried and used to make a tea, which is said to have health benefits such as reducing inflammation and soothing digestive issues. Decorative uses: Hazel catkins can also be used in dried flower arrangements or other decorative crafts. #hazelcatkins #hazelnuttree #foraging #wildfood #naturaldye #pollinatorfriendly #landscaping #tea #decorativeflowers #driedflowers #naturelovers #nature #outdoors #sustainableliving (at Cotswolds) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoSqRiEMm8U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I had a very special visitor this week, while our red maple tree was blooming. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen a Monarch in January, but this tree is also swarmed by bees every year. Our little Dec. 2022 cold spell didn't bother them in the least. When you live in the deep South, gardeners should plan for pollinators year round. Although this discovery was another happy accident. We planted this tree in 2009 & discovered its pollinator superpower a few years ago. It can drop a lot of whirly-gig seeds on the lawn but doesn't spew pollen everywhere. That's something to consider before adding any tree to your landscape. #butterflyphotography #butterfly🦋 #butterfly #pollinators🐝 #pollinatorfriendly #bees #landscape #writerswhogarden (at The Purple Prose Room) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnaScsju5p8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I love the delicate but bold feel created by this photograph of a hollyhock. It also reminds me of the movie Alien. - #delicateflower #hollyhock #gardenview #pollinatorfriendly #naturetones #vermontsummer #wallart #vermontlife #vermont #summerheat #gardeninspiration #naturalbeauty #gallery_legit (at Vermont) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgcJwZOuX-Y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Coming soon to a garden near you…. Err, uhmmm… me. Near me. Deep diving back into my herbal studies so I figure I’ll work on my green thumb while I’m at it. Not pictured are the lettuces and cherry tomatoes I’m planning for my aero garden. ⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #backyardgarden #birdsandblooms #dripirrigation #eatwhatyougrow #garden #gardenlife #houstongardening #iggarden #inspirenaturenow #organicgardening #peppers #pollinatorfriendly #pollinatorfriendlygarden #pollinatorgarden #pollinators #raisedgardenbeds #sprouted #texasgardening #tomatoes #urbangarden #urbangardening #veggiegarden #zone9a #zone9agarden #zone9agardening https://www.instagram.com/p/CfPqfA_pRsH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Pollinate BoM Month № 7 🐝 OUTER HONEYCOMB ROSETTES #bees #bee #beehive #beehives #pollinator #pollinators #nature #pollinatequilt #pollinatorfriendly #pollination #pollinatorgarden (at Windsor, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeZYMC-vyqD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Plant of the Day

Thursday 28 July 2022

This large drift of Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (coneflower) has visual impact and the long flowering season is attractive to pollinators. It is a clump forming herbaceous perennial with upright growth that thrives in well-drained soil in full sun.

Jill Raggett

Native bee in a native sunflower in beautiful Pennsylvania

Butterflies can eat to live, live to eat in a balanced garden

A favorite thing about visiting gardens in the summer is catching sight of a butterfly enjoying nectar from a brightly colored zinnia or a monarch caterpillar munching on a milkweed leaf. When designing a butterfly garden, expand and balance plant selection to provide more than nectar plants for adult butterflies. As the growing season winds down, pollinators are busy feeding and laying eggs in…

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Spring has sprung 🌼🐝🌼 #bees🐝 #pollinators #pollinatorfriendly #pollinators #springflowers #springtime #dandilion #sunshinetherapy ☀️ #natureperfection (at Catalina Foothills, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNvBwJdLaiBPWqGLXko0sCDpU8MiulL3HX0_mU0/?igshid=ehfsfbzrehu

Mussaenda erythrophylla ❤‍

Red Flag Bush ❤‍

Ashanti blood ❤‍

Red Mussaenda ❤‍

Prophet’s Tears ❤‍

Tropical Dogwood ❤‍

Virgin Tree ❤‍

The evergreen West African shrub.

So beautiful and bright red sepals and tiny cute flowers...

The mussaenda plant develops bright red bracts to attract pollinators as the true flower itself is small, star shaped and white.

Took away my Heart - at first sight..