Spring is here, according to the gardening catalogs. Here are some ideas:
Leave the debris in the garden until late spring. Then the soil creatures will devour most of it. Many beneficial insects are wintering there because they cannot fly to Florida. Add leaves to the yard instead of moving them away. That is good for butterflies too.
Roses
Better to get a group of one rose variety than to buy collections - in my opinion. I like having an abundance of one rose. Some great ones are:
- Veterans Honor - the best red, the best rose for cutting, great fragrance. The flower formation is stunning.
- Easy-Does-It - Sunset colors, blooms like crazy with long stems, good fragrance. Inexpensive!
- Queen Elizabeth - The ultimate Creation rose, developed by a Creationist. Color and flower shape, ethereal beauty.
- Falling in Love - Pink and white, fragrant, bought it by accident, now we buy it on purpose.
- Double Delight - Great colors and fragrance, very popular for a long time.
- All My Loving - This is a deep pink rose with fragrance that reminds me of Pink Peace.
Beneficial Bug Hosts
I have had a habit of trying this plant and another, a bit too scattered. For good pest control without toxins, go strong on one or two of these easy to grow beneficial bug hosts. They take care of the parents so Mom can lay eggs near, on, or in the pest. Gasp. This efficiency made Darwin doubt Creation, and made God doubt Darwin.
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| Joe Pye is easy to grow and love. |
- Joe Pye is great for beneficial bugs of all types and especially good for butterflies.
- Clethra or Summersweet is as good as Joe Pye with the added benefit of exuding a sweet Cinnabon scent most of the year.
- Fever Few seeds itself and always hosts beneficials.
- Sunflowers are the aircraft carriers of beneficial plants. They have room for a zillion good bugs and bees, plus nectar for butterflies.
- Daisies multiply easily and host the most aggressive pest hunters.
- Hostas also multiply like daisies, so they can be divided again and again for filling in gaps and providing flowers for hummingbirds.
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| Tiny beneficial insects love tiny tubular flowers. |
