Butterflies are barely there - fluttering in and out of our line of vision -- but we love watching them flit around our gardens! Attracting them not only brings enjoyment, but they are good for our gardens. While butterflies are not as efficient pollinators as bees they do their part.
Listed below are a variety of plants that will bring butterflies in their many life stages to your garden:
Allium, Baby's Breath, Baptisia (False Indigo), Bee Balm, Blanket Flower, Bleeding Heart, Bugleweed, Catmint, Chelone, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Daylily, Delphinium, Echinacea, Forget Me Not, Geranium (Cranesbill), Goldenrod, Heliopsis (False Sunflower), Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Jacob's Ladder, Joe-Pye Weed, Lavender, Liatris, Lobelia (Cardinal Flower), Lupine, Mint, Penstemon, Phlox, Bergenia, Rudbeckia or Black Eyed Susan, Russian Sage, Salvia, Sedum (Stonecrop), Sisyrinchium (Blue-eyed Grass), Snakeroot, Sneezeweed, Viola and Yarrow.
Azalea, Blueberry, Butterfly Bush, Clethra (Sweetshrub), Dogwood, Elderberry, Honeysuckle, Hydrangea, Lilac, Ninebark, Potentilla, Spirea, St. John Wort and Viburnum.
Annuals: Ageratum, Alyssum, Catnip, Cosmos, Dahlia, Heliotrope, Lantana, Marigold, Nasturtiums, Pansy, Pentas, Petunia, Salvia (Red and Blue), Snapdragon, Sunflower, Verbena and Zinnia.
Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Dill, Fennel, Oregano, Pineapple Sage and Rock Cress.
Baby's Breath (Gypsophilia)
Bachelor's Button (Centaurea Cyanus)
Balloon Flower (Platycodon)
Bellflower (Campanula)
Blue False Indigo (Baptisia Australis)
Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa)
Candytuft (Iberis)
Catmint (Nepeta)
Chrysanthemum (Mum)
Columbine (Aquilegia)
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
Delphinium
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera)
Gayfeather (Liatrus)
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Iris
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium)
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lupin (Lupinus)
Ornamental Grass (Colagrossi)
Ornamental Grass (Festuca)
Ornamental Grass (Hakonechloa)
Ornamental Grass (Miscanthus)
Ornamental Grass (Pennisetum)
Peony (Paeonia)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
Snakeroot (Cimicifuga)
Sneezeweed (Helenium)
Verbascum
Veronica (Speedwell)
Wisteria
Yucca
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Dead Nettle (Lamium)
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Lenten Rose (Helleborus)
Lily of the Valley
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Pigsqueak (Bergenia)
Primrose (Primula)
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Ghost Fern (Athyrium)
Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)
Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Barberry (Barberis vulgaris)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa)
Bluebeard (Caryapteris)
Forsythia
Fothergilla
Holly
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Lilac (Syringa)
Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
Spirea
St. John's Wart (Hypericum perforatum)
Sweetshrub (Clethra)
Viburnum
Wax Myrtle/bayberry (Myrica)
Weigela (Weigela florida)
Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis)
Ageratum
Annual Pinks (Dianthus)
Calibrachoa
Cockscomb (Celosia)
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)
Hyacinth
Lantana
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Moss Rose (Portulaca)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
Nicotiana
Periwinkle (Vinca)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana)
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Zinnia
Cantaloupe
Cucumber
Dill
Eggplant
Hot Peppers
Rhubarb
Sage
Sweet Peppers
Thyme
Watermelon
Black Walnut trees produce a toxin called juglone. This toxin prevents many plants from growing under or within the root zone of Black Walnuts. The roots seem to contain the highest concentration of juglone, but all parts of the tree including leaves, stems and fruit contain some of the toxin.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bell Flower (Campanula)
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Chrysanthemum (Mum)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Echinacea (Coneflower)False Spirea (Astilbe)
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Hosta
Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantine)
Leopard's Bane (Aconitum)
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
Peony (Paeonia)
Phlox
Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum)
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Begonia hybrid
Common Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
Pansy
Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Zinnia
Beets
Carrots
Corn
Lima Beans
Melons
Onion
Parsnips
Snap Beans
Squash
Arborvitae (Thuja)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotine)
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Holly (Illix aquafolium)
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Pawpaw (Asimina trilobal)
Pear Tree (Pyrus)
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Spruce (Picea)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciglua)
Viburnum
White Oak (Quercus alba)
Providing sanctuary for birds as their natural habitat becomes fractured by loss of grasslands, forests and wetlands, is becoming more and more important for those who love to observe them. Your landscape will help determine your opportunities for bird conservation. Territorial needs for each species varies. Bluebirds for instance need room to spread their wings. Having bluebirds in your backyard if you live within city limits is a rarity. However, if your home is suburban you can work with neighbors to attract bluebirds. They seem happiest in wide open spaces. There are many other engaging birds' worth enticing to your back yard, and by providing fresh water in clean bird baths, natural foods such as fruits, nuts and seeds in clean feeders and an assortment of trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers you can attract a variety of birds - and in doing so, contribute to their well-being.
Many songbirds are attracted to urban settings. By following the prescribed activities listed above, you can attract Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, the Downy Woodpecker, Junco and several more to your habitat.
K Drive Greenhouse Co. no longer carries trees, but we can share with you the species that will help attract and shelter birds; as well as a listing of shrubs, flowers and vines that help sustain them.
Pennisetum, Schizachyrium (bluestem), Panicum, Bamboo and Fescue
Leave grasses uncut for the winter to provide seed and shelter.
This is a varied list of plants. No-one can or should try to plant them all. Thoughtful planning and planting will not only help you, but it will result in healthier plants and healthier birds.
We gardeners have a special place in our hearts for hummingbirds. We love to watch them as they dart from flower to flower; and of course, we want to attract them to our feeders too. It is important that while we are enjoying them we are also providing a product that will do no harm.
The following products are not good for hummingbirds:
Planning a shade garden can be daunting. However, if you approach it thoughtfully, you can create something beautiful that will bring you long-time enjoyment.
As you can see by the pictures provided, a well-appointed shade garden has a lot to offer. What better place to retreat to after a hard days' work, or on a quiet afternoon!
Following are some suggested plants to help you get started. Remember - K Drive Greenhouse Staff is always ready and willing to help you with your selection.
Perennials: Anemone, Astilbe, Bergenia, Bleeding Heart, Brunnera, Bugleweed, Cimicifuga (Snake Root), Columbine, Coral Bells (Heuchera), Corydalis, Creeping Phlox, Ferns, Foam Flower, Hakonechloa Grass, Hosta, Jacobs Ladder, Lady's Mantle, Lamium (Deadnettle), Lenten Rose, Lily of the Valley, Lungwort, Niger Grass, Pachysandra, Polygonatum or Solomon's Seal, Primrose, Pulsatilla (Wind Flower) and Spikenard.
Trees and Shrubs: Arborvitae, Buckthorn, Dogwood, Forsythia, Holly, Hydrangea, Japanese Kerria, Potentilla, Rhododendron, Elderberry, Siberian Cypress, Sweetshrub, Wintercreeper and Yew.
Annuals: Alyssum, Alternanthera, Begonia, Caladium, Fuchsia, Coleus, Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens, Hypoestes (also known as Polka Dot Plant), Iresine, Lobelia, Wishbone Flower and Begonia
Herbs: Mint, Chives, Parsley, Cilantro, Tarragon, Lemon Balm, Oregano and Thyme will all tolerate a little shade, but must have some sun to flourish.
Once these plants get established they will handle hot dry conditions better than others. Plants are an investment, and to reap the benefits they must be watered and fed. Drought tolerant simply means is that they can withstand drier conditions better than more water-thirsty varieties.
Artemisia or Worm Wood, Bachelor's Buttons, Bell Flower, Bergenia, Black Eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Butterfly Weed, Catmint, Coreopsis, Crocosmia, Daylily, Delosperma or Ice Plant, Dianthus or Pinks, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Foxglove, Gaura, Grasses: Lucerne (Blue Eyed Grass), Festuca (Blue Fescue), Goldenrod, Helicototrichon (Blue Oat Grass), Hens & Chicks, Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Iris, Kniphofia or Red Hot Poker, Lamb's Ear, Lavender, Lewisia, Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny) or Loosestrife, Penstemon or Bearded Tongue, Russian Sage, Salvia, Sedum (Stonecrop), Silverlace Vine, Sweet Kate (Blue and Gold Spiderwort), Yarrow and Yucca.
Barberry, Butterfly Bush, Elderberry, Kerria Japonica, Quince, Rose of Sharon, Tamarix (Salt Cedar) and Wintercreeper
Ageratum, Begonia, Celosia, Cosmo, Dianthus, Dipladenia, Dusty Miller, Eucalyptus, Gazania, Ivy, Lantana, Licorice Plant, Morning Glory, Nicotiana, Osteospermum or Trailing African Daisy, Phlox, Pink Evening Primrose, Portulaca, Sedum, Salvia, Verbena, Periwinkle and Zinnia.
Dill, Fennel, Lavender, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Winter Savory.
Perennials: Catmint, Bee Balm, Lavender, Artemisia (Wormwood), Allium, Yarrow and Cedar Trees
Annuals: Eucalyptus, Ageratum, Marigolds, Lemon-scented Geranium, Lantana and Verbena
Herbs: Basil, Catnip, Chives, Garlic, Lemon Balm, Lemon Grass, Lemon Thyme, Lemon Verbena, Mint, Rosemary and Sage
Annuals: Chrysanthemums and Marigolds
Herbs/Vegetables: Catnip, Chives, Garlic, Leeks and Onions
Trees and Shrubs- Boxwood, Dogwood, Euonymus, Forsythia, Holly, Hydrangeas, Junipers, Lilac, Pear, Pines, Red Maple, Sweetgum and Tulip Tree
Annuals- Begonias, Caladiums and Dusty Millers
Herbs are wonderful things - they bring out the best in food when used correctly and many of them are also used for medicinal purposes. Because herbs can affect people differently, you should discuss the use of herbs with your doctor if you plan to use them for medicinal purposes.
Growing herbs is not difficult - they need good soil, sunlight, watering on a regular basis and fertilizer on a bi-weekly basis.
Our list of herbs is not all-inclusive. It targets the herbs that K Drive Greenhouse provides to our customers.
Annual. Basil is likely one of the most popular culinary herbs, and sweet basil the most widely-used. A close relative to mint, basil has a floral, anise and clove-like flavor and aroma. Basil flower buds should be removed as soon as they form as they can affect the flavor of the leaves. Basil is used in soups, stews and meat dishes, but also adds wonderful flavor to egg dishes and herb butters.
Perennial 4-8. It is grown mostly because house cats and butterflies love it. The plant is drought tolerant and deer resistant. It can be a repellant for certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. Catnip oil has been found to attract the beneficial insect known as lacewings which eat aphids and mites.
Perennial 4-9. Chamomile has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years to calm anxiety and settle stomachs. In the U.S., chamomile is best known as an ingredient in herbal tea and is touted for its antioxidant properties. NOTE: If you are allergic to ragweed, you may not be able to tolerate Chamomile.
Perennial 3-9. A member of the onion family that sports beautiful purple flowers, chives prefer sunshine and moist, fertile soil. Mulch will help maintain moisture and keep the weeds down. If the flowers ripen, they will scatter seed and take over your garden! Toss chives into a dish at the last minute, as heat destroys their delicate flavor. Thinly slice them to maximize their taste, or use finely snipped as a garnish.
Annual. Rather you know it as cilantro, coriander, or Chinese parsley, this herb is one of the most versatile. Cilantro adds distinctive flavor to salsas, soups, stews, curries, salads, vegetables, fish and chicken dishes.
Annual. Dill thrives best in the sun. Use it to flavor fish, lamb, egg dishes, soups and potato salad. Seeds are used in pickling recipes and vinegar.
Perennial 2-10, May self-seed. In the Celery Family. Fennel is widely cultivated, both in its native range and elsewhere, for its edible, strongly flavored leaves and fruits and its anise flavor. The three different parts of fennel-the base, stalks and leaves-can all be used in cooking.
Annual. NOTE: Hidcote Blue Lavender is a tender perennial North of Zone 6. Lavender demands two things, full sun and extremely well drained soil. If drainage is an issue, consider growing it in raised beds. Most lavender is used to scent potpourri or sachet mixtures, or as a calming ingredient in some soaps and lotions. It may also be used in beverages and with pork, fish or chicken dishes - if you decide to experiment, use it sparingly! To harvest, cut stems of lavender just as the flowers start to open. It is at this stage that the spikes will have the strongest scent. Hang in small bunches in a cool, dry, dark well-ventilated area to dry.
Perennial 5-9. Lemon balm is often used as a flavoring in ice cream and herbal teas, both hot and iced, often in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. The leaves, which have a mild lemon aroma, are used to make medicine. Lemon balm is used alone or as part of various multi-herb combination products.
Annual. Lemongrass is native to India, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. It is widely used as an herb in Asian cuisine and as a medicinal herb in India. It has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Lemongrass oil is used as a pesticide and a preservative.
Annual. Lemon verbena leaves are used to add a lemon flavor to fish and poultry dishes, vegetable marinades, salad dressings, jams, puddings, Greek yogurt and beverages. It also is used to make herbal teas and sorbet.
Annual. A milder, sweeter member of the Oregano family, marjoram is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes. Whether used as an essential oil, powder, fresh leaves, or dried leaves, Marjoram has many uses with numerous health benefits.
Perennial 3-11. It is extremely versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Mint is most often used in veal, pork and lamb dishes; as well as in beverages and jellies. Mint can be invasive. Planting it in a contained area makes it easier to curb this tendency.
Annual. No kitchen should be without parsley. It's the workhorse of the herb world and can go in just about every dish you cook. Parsley's mild, grassy flavor allows the flavors of other ingredients to come through. A BONUS: Parsley has a cleaning effect on your palate and your breath.
Annual. Rosemary does best as a container plant rather than being planted in a garden. Keeping the plants cool and placing them on pebble filled saucers filled with water helps to increase humidity around the plant and reduce foliage damage. Rosemary has a warm, slightly bitter taste that gives wonderful flavor to soups, sauces, fish, pork, lamb, poultry and game. Remember to use it sparingly as an accent to food as the flavor can be overpowering.
Perennial Zones 5-10. Pineapple Sage is an Annual. Native to the northern Mediterranean coast, where it's used frequently in cooking. Americans associate it with turkey and dressing. Use it with discretion, as it can overwhelm a dish.
Annual. Stevia is perhaps unique among food ingredients because it's most valued for what it doesn't do. It doesn't add calories. Unlike other sugar substitutes, stevia is derived from a plant. It is an alternative to artificial sweeteners with no added calories, no side effects, and very little aftertaste.
Annual. Sweet grass has a sweet, long-lasting aroma that is even stronger when the grass has been harvested and dried and is then moistened or burned. Just as the sweet scent of this natural grass is attractive and pleasing to people, so is it attractive to good spirits.
Annual. Dried tarragon has a very short shelf life; and fresh tarragon isn't always easy to find, but you'll love the bittersweet, peppery taste it imparts. Heat diminishes its flavor, so add tarragon toward the end of cooking, or use it as a garnish. Remember to use sparingly. Tarragon is often used to flavor oil, vinegar and marinades.
Perennial 5-10. Thyme comes in dozens of varieties; however, most cooks use French thyme. This herb pairs well with many other herbs-especially rosemary, parsley, sage, savory, and oregano. Because the leaves are so small, they often don't require chopping. It's flavor and fragrance hold up well to long, slow cooking.
Use this process for all drying methods. Crumble the dried herbs with your fingers (discard the hard leafstalks and midribs) and store in small, airtight containers. If you use clear glass containers, store them in a dark place so the herbs don't lose their color.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Step 1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic and cheese and pulse a few times more.
Step 2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serve with pasta, or over baked potatoes, or spread over toasted baguette slices.
INGREDIENTS
3 vine-ripe tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick slices
1-pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices
20-30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil
Extra-virgin olive oil (or a simple balsamic reduction) for drizzling
Coarse salt and pepper
Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
INGREDIENTS
2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (from 1 lb. - 1 1/2 lb.), stems removed, finely diced
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeño chili pepper (stems, ribs, seeds removed), finely diced
1 serrano chili pepper (stems, ribs, seeds removed), finely diced
Juice of one lime
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: oregano and or cumin to taste
METHOD
1 Start with chopping up 2 medium sized fresh tomatoes. Prepare the chilies. Be very careful while handling these hot peppers. If you can, avoid touching them with your hands. Use a fork to cut up the chilies over a small plate, or use a paper towel to protect your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling and avoid touching your eyes for several hours. Set aside some of the seeds from the peppers. If the salsa isn't hot enough, you can add a few for heat.
2 Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Taste. If the chilies make the salsa too hot, add some more chopped tomato. If not hot enough, carefully add a few of the seeds from the chilies, or add some ground cumin.
Let sit for an hour for the flavors to combine.
Serve with chips, tortillas, tacos, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, pinto or black beans.
To make chocolate covered mint leaves, melt your favorite chocolate in a microwave or double-boiler. Brush the melted chocolate on fresh or frozen mint leaves, and place on a wax paper to dry
INGREDIENTS
Juice of ½ lemon (about ¼ cup)
4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
3 tablespoons minced fresh chervil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1. In a small saucepan, heat lemon juice to boiling.
2. Quickly whisk in cold butter, one piece at a time, creating a fully emulsified sauce. When you've added all the butter, you should have a rather thin and creamy sauce.
3. Whisk in chervil, along with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately over poached white fish, sautéed chicken breasts, steamed prawns or crunchy zucchini matchsticks.
Chervil-Chive Butter
To make spreadable herb butter, simply beat fresh, chopped chervil and chives into soft butter, then chill.