Goldenbush is an unassuming low perennial plant that most people ignore nine months out of the year, and then comes late summer – when it blooms and is covered in butterflies. Cover image: Isocoma-menziesii is a butterfly attracting plant, but honeybees will stop by as well. Image courtesy J. Schrenk. […]
Bugs come in many shapes and sizes, and they change those shapes and sizes in their lifetime. They also change what they eat as they change their bodies. This makes discovering just what bug is bugging you sometimes a bit of a challenge. I recently created and presented a talk/presentation […]
Butterflies can add a beautiful grace note to our yards, and it is easy to attract them! Would you like to be able to watch flocks of butterflies flutter by? Now is the time to plant your butterfly garden in the Southwest USA. Butterflies, moths, and skippers are in the […]
Desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) is both cursed and blessed by homeowners. Let me clear up some of the misconceptions and share why you might want to welcome this plant to your landscape. Overview of Desert Broom Desert broom is in the Compositae (Asteraceae) which is the same family as sunflowers. […]
Brittlebush is not only beautiful to behold – it is beautiful for many aspects of any Sonoran and Mojave desert habitat. Brittlebush provides food for foraging pollinators, a shady spot to start saguaro life, a sheltered spot for wildlife to rest, and a safe corner of the world to […]
Spring flowers are beginning to bloom and hummingbirds are zipping around, collecting nectar. Nectar yes -but also a few insects while they are at it. Entice the Hummingbirds Hummingbirds need more than just sugar-water feeders. Like most animal life, they need a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This […]
February is National Bird Feeding Month. The birds are really hoping you will celebrate. It’s really not hard. But Don’t Just Feed the Birds – While it is nice to add bird feeders to your garden, to me it seems like cheating somehow. Plus you may attract the non-native birds […]
When it comes to pollinators, the American Southwest is one of the most species diverse habitats in the world, with native species of bees, butterflies, moths, bats, and hummingbirds all busy pollinating our plants. This massive diversity makes sense – because much of the region has plants that bloom in […]
