Another resource for native seeds is Wild Seed Project (https://shop.wildseedproject.net/) I sowed some of theirs to great success last winter. Trying my hand at gathering some this year!
And FYI: The butterfly captions were hard to read on my phone (even with my readers!).
Thank you, Laura! And agree Wild Seed Project is another great resource. I ordered several species from them for fall seeding, too. (Also, thank you for the feedback re the captions!)
I transplanted four purple passionflower vines from my parents' house to my house last year and had dozens of gulf fritillary caterpillars.
This year, I had DOZENS of purple passionflower vines and more caterpillars than I knew the vines could handle, but that's the circle of life. The birds are feeding their young and the caterpillars are working their way through my plants, and I have butterflies everywhere.
Next year I'm going to have to be more on top of removing the vines from where I don't want them to be, or the whole house is going to be swallowed!
Can you please help those of us in the Pacific NW who do constant battle with Himalayan Blackberries? They are taking over my Portland back yard! I'm working on the front and side yards this year, but next fall I want to tackle the back yard. (So far I have plans to plant Evergreen Huckleberry, Ocean Spray, and Thimbleberry, along with sword ferns. In the sunnier areas I plan to plant a Pacific Wax Myrtle, ceanothus, and native Mock Orange.) The blackberries are especially vicious and it's impossible to get rid of them!
The most effective way I have found to deal with bindweed is to find where it emerges from the ground, and using scissors or my fingernails, sever it below the surface of the soil. Very time-consuming, yes, but definitely worth the effort.
Hey, a resource you may not know about yet: https://coloradonativegrass.org/ There’s a working group, a beautifully researched and designed guide, webinars through many partners, and demo sites.
I live in North Central Texas, and I have a very large Rue under the Garden Bell, that is food for Swallowtails here! One September/October it was covered in caterpillars! I've only seen one so far, but we have had days and days of triple-digit heat, and no Rain, so...
CONGRATULATIONS! I am so excited for your book.
Another resource for native seeds is Wild Seed Project (https://shop.wildseedproject.net/) I sowed some of theirs to great success last winter. Trying my hand at gathering some this year!
And FYI: The butterfly captions were hard to read on my phone (even with my readers!).
Thank you, Laura! And agree Wild Seed Project is another great resource. I ordered several species from them for fall seeding, too. (Also, thank you for the feedback re the captions!)
I wish there were better images and caption functions in the Substack CMS.
I transplanted four purple passionflower vines from my parents' house to my house last year and had dozens of gulf fritillary caterpillars.
This year, I had DOZENS of purple passionflower vines and more caterpillars than I knew the vines could handle, but that's the circle of life. The birds are feeding their young and the caterpillars are working their way through my plants, and I have butterflies everywhere.
Next year I'm going to have to be more on top of removing the vines from where I don't want them to be, or the whole house is going to be swallowed!
Congratulations on all the birds and the butterflies! I'm envious, because my own passionvines in Florida have just barely limped along...
Can you please help those of us in the Pacific NW who do constant battle with Himalayan Blackberries? They are taking over my Portland back yard! I'm working on the front and side yards this year, but next fall I want to tackle the back yard. (So far I have plans to plant Evergreen Huckleberry, Ocean Spray, and Thimbleberry, along with sword ferns. In the sunnier areas I plan to plant a Pacific Wax Myrtle, ceanothus, and native Mock Orange.) The blackberries are especially vicious and it's impossible to get rid of them!
Yes, LP, I'm familiar with the problem---so frustrating---and will respond in an upcoming newsletter.
The most effective way I have found to deal with bindweed is to find where it emerges from the ground, and using scissors or my fingernails, sever it below the surface of the soil. Very time-consuming, yes, but definitely worth the effort.
So glad that's working for you! Thanks for the confirmation.
I'm interested in helping as a beta tester for the Pacific Northwest. May I email you or call to discuss?
Excellent! Please email me at heather@designyourwild.com
Hey, a resource you may not know about yet: https://coloradonativegrass.org/ There’s a working group, a beautifully researched and designed guide, webinars through many partners, and demo sites.
I was not familiar with Colorado Native Grass. Thank you for sharing!
I live in North Central Texas, and I have a very large Rue under the Garden Bell, that is food for Swallowtails here! One September/October it was covered in caterpillars! I've only seen one so far, but we have had days and days of triple-digit heat, and no Rain, so...
Fingers crossed! :)