By Edie Parnum
For eight years I have been gardening for nature on my ¾-acre suburban property. My yard with its abundance of native plants teems with birds, butterflies, bees, beetles, moths, and other creatures both big and small. On August 29 my property abounded with people, too. I had invited nature-loving friends to enjoy my native plants and discover the creatures they support.
Edie explaining the wonders of pollination. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Cardinal Flower, Great Blue Lobelia, and Grass-leaved Goldenrod. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Some people came for just an hour, others stayed all day. Most participated in one of the three guided yard tours. The insect and pollinator walks were popular, too. Kids enjoyed their own nature and insect events. A sizable group drove to Barb Elliot’s nearby property and saw her pond and thriving native plant habitat. Some truly nature-crazed individuals stayed after dark for moth night.
Unquestionably, the native plants were a hit. All the species were labeled for easy identification. Many of my favorite plants (Short-toothed Mountainmint, Grass-leafed Goldenrod, Upland Ironweed, Cardinal Flower, Great Blue Lobelia, Garden Phlox, Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Large-leafed Aster, and Sneezeweed) were in bloom. Berries on woody plants (Nannyberry and Blackhaw Viburnums, Flowering and Silky Dogwoods, Winterberry Holly, Black Chokeberry) and a vine (Virginia Creeper) were ripe and ready for the fall migrants. (Click here for my complete yard plant list.)
Insects attracted notice and won new converts. Many admired the Monarch and Black Swallowtail caterpillars. The pollinators were active on the flowers. We saw native bees (European Honey bees, too), wasps, flies, beetles, day-flying moths, as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spreading pollen while feeding on the nectar. Our entomologist, Dan Duran, PhD, identified a large blue-winged wasp (Scolia dubia) nectaring on mountainmint. This wasp, a parasite on the larvae of Japanese Beetles, is now a favorite of mine.
The kids admire a slug with Debbie Beer. Photo @ Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
The sharp-eyed kids on Debbie Beer’s nature walk saw a migrant American Redstart. By turning over rocks and logs, they discovered slugs and other creepy-crawlies. They also found spiders (the wolf spider was popular), beetles, and a cicada shell—goodies the adults missed.
Vince Smith gave us a geology lesson. My property is composed of Precambrian gneiss and schist, one of the oldest soils on the planet. Because it’s well-drained, the Tulip Poplar, Black Gum, and various oaks I’ve planted will develop deep roots. They should become massive trees and provide wildlife value for decades, perhaps centuries.
Hummingbird Clearwing, a day-flying sphinx moth, on Garden Phlox. Photo © Tony Nastase. Click to enlarge.
Usually I merely write about my yard’s plants and animals and post photos on the Backyards for Nature blog. However, neither words nor pictures are enough. Seeing the natural beauty of my yard and discovering the creatures living there is more powerful.
Many people told me they were inspired to create their own backyard ecosystems. Others vowed a renewed commitment to enhance their developing habitats.
They said Nature Discovery Day was fun. I could see it on their smiling faces.
************************************ Special Note ********************************************** I will be selling my house in the spring of 2016. If you or anyone you know is interested in a property that’s alive with nature, contact me at edie@backyardsfornature.org
The Double-banded Scoliid Wasp, Scolia bicincta, parasitizes beetle larvae. Photo @ Link Davis. Click to enlarge.
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Debbie Beer and the kids explore nature in the yard. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Dan Duran shows a Monarch caterpillar. © Tony Nastase. Click to enlarge.
Monarch caterpillar © Tony Nastase. Click to enlarge.
Edie’s shade garden. © Bonnie Witmer. Click to enlarge.
Bumble bee on Garden Phlox. © Bonnie Witmer. Click to enlarge.
Barb Elliot describes her pond to visitors. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Eastern Redbud seed pods. © Bonnie Witmer. Click to enlarge.
Edie talks to guests attending Nature Discovery Day. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Photo © Bonnie Witmer. Click to enlarge.
Vince Smith explains the geology of the property. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Ailanthus Webworm, a day-flying moth. © Tony Nastase. Click to enlarge.
He’s found something interesting. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
Bee carrying the white pollen of Upland Ironweed. Photo © Edie Parnum. Click to enlarge.
Peck’s Skipper. Photo © Tony Nastase. Click to enlarge.
Early instar of Black Swallowtail caterpillar. Photo © Tony Nastase. Click to enlarge.
Watching birds in the yard. Photo © Mallary Johnson. Click to enlarge.
My family and I made it out to the tour. Thank you for opening up your backyard for others to enjoy. Interesting plant groupings and plenty of inspiration for a variety of planting conditions whether you have an acre or 1/10th of an acre. The take home message? Plant it and they will come, and the proof was right there in Edie’s backyard.
John, yes, indeed, “plant it and they will come.” Glad you enjoyed the tour and hope you got some ideas for ecosystem gardening in your own yard.
Edie
Dear Edie: I have a home (small property) in Narberth, Pa and for the past year, I received emails as part of Pat Sutton’s Gardening For Wildlife Gang. In her March 22, 2016 email, she mentioned the outstanding wildlife habitat you have created on your property. As someone who has planted hundreds of native plants, trees. and bushes, you must know the best places to buy these plants. I am writing this note hoping you can advise me where I can go to purchase the nectar plants that are needed for butterflies, especially for monarch butterflies, and specifically, those that are needed to feed their young, esp milkweed. Last year Pat Sutton sent me seeds for 3 different types of milkweed–none of them produced any plants. I need to find the plants. I have use my garden over the years for vegetables, simple herbs like parsley and dill, flowers, and roses; its very good soil and I have never once used any pesticides or chemicals in my 25 yrs of gardening here, but now I want to plant the bushes that butterflies use to lay their eggs and nurture their caterpillars for survival of their species. If you can advise me where to get the variety of plants needed, I would very much appreciate your help. My email is above & my cell phone is 610-513-6779. Thanks for any advice & information. I do not currently follow any blogs because II just recently retired after 40 yrs of full time work, and I am just learning what and who is out there on this subject.
Fran,
Thanks for contacting me about sources of native plants in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I have attached our Backyards for Nature list of retailers and native plant sales below. Thankfully, there are a number sources not far from your home.
Of course, I am delighted that you are planting native plants for pollinators. Are you familiar with Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home? Here are lists from his book of the best woody and herbaceous plants for moth and butterfly caterpillars. http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/what-to-plant.html We have published several articles about pollinators on our BFN blog including Barb Elliot’s “Pollinators Need our Help” http://backyardsfornature.org/?p=1037
As you have probably discovered, our blog and website contain information about native plants, pollinators, and other topics of interest to those who want to garden in a nature-friendly way. Barb Elliot and I, Co-Directors of Backyards for Nature, would love for you to subscribe to our blog and be a part of a local community of native plant gardeners.
Please feel free to contact me with any further questions.
Edie
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Sources of Native Plants
Retail Sources
–Collins Nursery, 773 Roslyn Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038. Native trees, shrubs, and some perennials. Spring and fall open houses. Otherwise appointment necessary. 215-715-3439 or collinsnursery.com.
–David Brothers Native Plant Nursery, Whitehall Road, Norristown, PA 19403. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials. 610-584-1550 or davidbrothers.com
–Edge of the Woods Nursery, 2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials. 610-393-2570 or edgeofthewoodsnursery.com.
–Gateway Garden Center, 7277 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin DE19707. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials. 302-239-2727 or gatewaygardens.com.
–Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, PA 19333. 610647-8870 or jenkinsarboretum.org. Outdoor plant shop open daily 9-4 late April through mid-October.
–Redbud Native Plant Nursery, 643 West Baltimore Ave., Media, PA. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials. 610-892-2833 or redbudnativeplantnursery.com.
–Russell Gardens Wholesale, 600 New Road, Southampton, PA 18966. Wholesale perennials, many native, sold to public. Pre-order for convenient pick-up. 215-322-4799 or russellwholesale.com.
–Sugarbush Nursery, 4272 Morgantown Road, Mohnton, PA 19540. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials. 610-856-0998 or sugarbushnursery.com.
–Yellow Springs Farm, 1165 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Landscape design and consultation services available. Spring and fall open houses. On-line and phone orders available. Otherwise call for appointment. 610-827-2014 or yellowspringsfarm.com.
Native Plant Sales
–Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143. 215-729-5281 or bartramsgarden.org. Spring and fall sales.
–Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Rd. New Hope, PA 18938. 215-862-2924 or bhwp.org. Spring and fall plant sales.
–Brandywine Conservancy, Routes 1 and 100, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. 610-388-2700 or brandywine.org/conservancy. Mother’s Day weekend. Seeds also available. —
–Delaware Nature Society, Cloverdale Farm Preserve, 543 Way Road, Greenville, DE 19807. 302-239-2334 or delawarenaturesociety.org. First weekend in May.
–Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, 2955 Edge Hill Road,
Huntington Valley, PA 19006. 215-657-0830 or pennypacktrust.org.
Spring and fall plant sales.
–Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagys Mill Rd., Philadelphia 19128. 215-482-7300 or schuylkillcenter.org. Spring and fall plant sales.