It’s late August in Michigan and as I am sitting here looking out my window into my garden, I’m seeing an incredible number of bees whizzing by while a beautiful yellow Eastern swallowtail butterfly hangs upside down to feed on my six-foot tall ‘Uchida’ lilies. I am blessed to welcome so many pollinators into my
If a durable, lower maintenance landscape is what you’re seeking, you’ll find this list of reliable native shrubs and perennials helpful. We offer many cultivars of native plants (sometimes referred to as “nativars”) here at Garden Crossings, but we’ve selected these ten for their unique beauty and ease of growth. Find details about where they’ll
Here in West Michigan, the “Butterflies are Blooming” event at our local botanical garden is one of the biggest attractions every year in late winter. So, we thought, why not build a butterfly house right here at Garden Crossings? We love watching butterflies and grow many of the nectar and host plants they need, so
Incredible advancements are made in perennials every year, so they are easier to grow and more beautiful for us to enjoy in our gardens. We’ve rounded up a group of ten new perennials we think you’ll love as much as we do, including four unique newcomers for shade. Let’s dive in and take a closer
From the time we are little children, we are fascinated with pollinators—the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other small creatures that 85% of the world’s flowering plants need to reproduce and produce seeds or fruit. They really are an essential part of a healthy environment. Did you know that one out of every three bites of
We’ve all heard the alarming statistics. We rely on pollinators for every third bite of food we eat. At least 75% of all the world’s flowering plants are pollinated by insects and animals. It can be overwhelming! Let’s bring that down that to a local level. What can YOU do in your own backyard to help pollinators feel welcome and wanted? Let’s focus on five things you can do right now, this season, to make an impact.
This time of year, everyone is itching for spring to arrive so we can head on out and play in our gardens once again. While you’re waiting for the snow to melt, here are five things you can do from inside your warm house to prepare for the new season.
When creating a garden, it is important to not only design based on beauty and bloom time but also to include pollinator-friendly plants that will bring the butterflies and bees to your garden. There are a few plants that really stand out to me as my Top 5 must-have plants for a garden that is a pollinator’s dream come true.
Perennial Plant of The Year- Asclepias tuberosa, what a great choice! With all the hype these days over the Monarch Butterfly this orange Milkweed is a perfect selection to be named Perennial Plant of the Year 2017.