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Plants for Bees and Butterflies
We are often asked by customers “What can I do to help save the bees?” This page is dedicated to answering this question. Believe it or not, you can make a difference by planting food for the bees in your backyard. Due to urban sprawl, bees and all wildlife are losing their habitat. Planting the right plants in the right place can make a huge difference. We will be adding to this page continuously, so be sure to check back often!
Buy plants from a reputable retailer. Insecticides and fungicides are used on plants and seeds to optimize germination and plant growth. The systemic nature of many of these products are harmful to bees. Your good intentions of planting food for bees and wildlife can actually end up doing more harm than good if you are not careful of how your plants were propagated.
Why do insects matter? Watch this..
Save money, plant native and seek your independence. Historical influence from the English garden with sprawling yards of grass and foundation plants around the perimeter of the home is costing you lots of money and time. Imagine if you didn’t have to fertilize, water and mow your grass. There are many alternatives to the traditional turf grass that are nearly maintenance free. Join your local Native Plant Society to learn more.
Learn how to eat your yard! Planting natives has many benefits. In addition to providing food for wildlife, you can also grow food for yourself. Believe it or not, many of the weeds and other plants in your yard are edible and offer way more nutrients than the food you buy in the grocery store. Farmers are facing huge battles due to lack of nutrients in soil due to over planting. Pesticides sprayed many years prior are still active in the soil and continue to be absorbed by vegetables.
Click here for great information about soil and how it affects the health of your plants!
Want to plant some ferns? Read this before you start.
Plant this Instead of That Brochure
We encourage you to print this brochure and share it with your friends. DOWNLOAD BROCHURE HERE..
Plant This Instead of That in Florida
Narrow Leaf Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius likes to grow in full sun in moist, or even, wet soil. This will grow 6′ to 12′ tall. Butterflies and bees LOVE this plant. This plant in native to Florida and is not invasive. The seeds are toxic to turf grass.Do not plant near lawn.
Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia diversifolia likes to grow in full sun in moist, or even, wet soil. This will grow 6′ to 12′ tall. It is not anative and homeowners should refrain from planting this plant.They take up real estate that should belong to native that provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Cabbage Palm
The Sabal palmetto is the Florida State tree providing food sources for a variety of wildlife. This tree is drought tolerant , disease resistant and holds up well in high winds.
Queen Palm
Syagrus romanzoffiana is native to South America. This palm is susceptible to falling over during high winds and tends to suffer from pink rot and other diseases.
Crataegus
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) likes to grow in full sun in tolerating dry soil This plant is drought toleratnt, provides food and shelter for wildlife, and is a nectar source for many insects. Hawthorns are also used as food plants by the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera species. The berries make a tea that is good for maintaining a healthy heart. These small trees are disease resistant and very easy to grow.
Crepe Mytle
Lagerstroemia has virtually no wildlife value. Many are susceptible to powdery mildew and will need care. Please don’t plant these and introduce more fungicides into the environment. These are large trees that are often pruned incorrectly.
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera is a beautiful fast growing large tree without problems with week limbs. This tree is the host for the eastern swallowtail butterfly. The winter fruits provide food for wildlife.
Golden Rain Tree
Koelreuteria paniculata is native to Asia Not Florida. This is a messy tree that is incredibly invasive. If you plant this tree, you will have them everywhere.
