Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Northeast

by Jaret C. Daniels

Overview

Plan your landscape or garden with more than 100 native plants that benefit Northeastern birds, bees, and butterflies.

The presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy, earth-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard into a perfect habitat that attracts them and, more importantly, helps them thrive. Acclaimed author and expert entomologist Jaret C. Daniels provides all the information you need in this must-have guide for Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Learn how to landscape and create pollinator gardens with native plants.

The book begins with an in-depth introduction to native pollinators and to birds. It’s followed by a “field guide” section to more than 100 native plants that are widely available to utilize, are easy to care for, and provide great benefit to birds, bees, and butterflies. The species are organized by level of sunlight needed and then by plant types. Each species includes full-color photographs and information about hardiness zones, what they are most likely to attract, soil requirements, light levels, and Jaret’s notes. As an added bonus, you’ll make use of blooming charts, tips on attracting specific species, and more! Plus, the invaluable garden plans and projects show you just what to do and can be customized to suit your own specific interests.

Plan, plant, and grow your beautiful garden, with native plants that benefit your favorite creatures to watch and enjoy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647552534
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/12/2022
Series:	Nature-Friendly Gardens
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jaret C. Daniels, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Entomology at the University of Florida and Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Museum of Natural History, specializing in insect ecology and conservation. He has authored numerous scientific papers, popular articles, and books on wildlife conservation, insects, butterflies, and wildflowers—including butterfly field guides for Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Ohio, and Michigan. He is also the author of Backyard Bugs, Insects & Bugs Backyard Workbook, Insects & Bugs for Kids, Our Love of Bees, Vibrant Butterflies, and more. Jaret lives in Gainesville, Florida, with his wife, Stephanie.

Read an Excerpt

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea

Family: Asteraceae

Plant Characteristics: Stout upright herbaceous perennial 2–5 feet in height; conspicuous, coarse green leaves get smaller up the stem; showy daisy-like flowers are pink to purple and occur singly atop stems.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a–7b

Bloom Period: Summer (June–August)

Growing Conditions: Performs best in full sun and average-to-dry, well-drained soil. Although tolerant of poor soil and drought once established, richer garden soil and consistent moisture will enhance overall growth and flower production.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and many other insect pollinators

Notes: This popular native wildflower is easy to grow and an absolute must for any butterfly or pollinator garden. It is well suited for everything from small garden spaces to larger naturalized meadows or prairies. The showy and distinctive flowers begin to appear in midsummer and bloom profusely until early fall. The domed, spiny centers provide a sturdy landing platform for butterflies and other pollinators and easy access to abundant nectar. Purple coneflower is widely available commercially, and numerous striking cultivars exist in various colors. Regular deadheading of blooms will encourage continued flowering. Spent flower heads provide abundant seed resources for hungry songbirds, including goldfinches, cardinals, and others. Use in perennial beds with other sun-loving, shorter-lived perennials. Easily propagated by seed or root division. For a somewhat more delicate-looking alternative, try pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), which grows well in similar conditions and freely self-seeds.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Hardiness Map

Inventorying Your Yard

When to Plant

Eliminating Existing Weeds

Plant Selection

Plant Placement

Plant Diversity

Quick Plant Reference Chart

Blooming Chart by Month

Trees & Shrubs Guide

Garden Plans

Creating Nesting Sites for Birds

Creating Nesting Sites for Insects/Bees

Caterpillar/Butterfly Host Chart

Best Plants for Butterflies, Bees, and Birds

About the Author