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February 2019

Declining Insects — Declining World: Part 2 Causes of Insect Decline

Insect populations around the world are rapidly declining. Within the next 20 years, 40% of the earth’s insect species may be extinct and within 100 years insects could disappear completely.  (Blog intro: Declining Insects —  Declining World, Feb. 20, 2019)   As usual, once I start thinking about a topic, it pops up everywhere; declining …

Plant A Patch: Switch grass (Panicum virgatum)

  Reminiscent of the days of the tallgrass prairie, switch grass, with its upright, columnar shape can be a striking stand alone focal point, a massed anchor for a border, or a backdrop for a rain garden. Reaching up to 6 feet in height when in bloom, switch grass is easily grown in moist, sandy …

Plant A Patch: Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

  Native grasses add a dramatic flair to the winter garden and Big Bluestem is one of the best. Six to eight feet taller at maturity, Big Bluestem is perfect for naturalizing, as a focal point or in the back of the border, Big Bluestem is easy to grow in almost any sunny location with …

Declining Insects -- Declining World

  Insect populations around the world are rapidly declining. Within the next 20 years, 40% of the earth’s insect species may be extinct and within 100 years insects could disappear completely.  (Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers Biological Conservation, Apr. 2019).         If your initial response to these …

Plant A Grove: American highbush-cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)

          Spectacular as a stand alone shrub or massed as a backdrop to a border, the American highbush-cranberry gives four seasons of interest to the garden. This large deciduous shrub (8+ feet) prefers full sun, but will also thrive in partial shade as long as it is planted in evenly moist, …

Feel the Need for Green? Plant Suggestions from Embassy

With so many different varieties of houseplants available today, a little guidance can sometimes help consumers select the best plant for their conditions. The staff at Embassy has shared a list of some of their favorite houseplants– both familiar and unfamiliar–  along with a few notes on care. We hope this list inspires you to …

Plant A Grove: Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

  If you are looking for a medium-sized, hardy shrub with winter interest for the back of the rain garden, Silky Dogwood could be your answer. This native is definitely a four season star with creamy blooms in the spring, berries in the summer, reddish-purple fall foliage and red/brown stems in winter. It forms a …