​Leave the Leaves
With the advent of colder temperatures, curbside leaf collection is underway in many parts of the Centre region. But savvy pollinator gardeners know that fallen leaves are garden gold.
More than 90 percent of caterpillars that develop on plants hatch or pupate at the ground level, often beneath leaf litter. Many fallen leaves harbor small caterpillars in their curled leaf margins. Dozens of species of moth caterpillars and other ‘detrivores’ feed on fallen leaves. Still others rely on leaf litter as a cozy winter blanket– including the larvae of the beautiful great spangled fritillary (pictured). Queen bumblebees also appreciate the insulation as they sleep away the winter in shallow tunnels just underneath the surface of the ground. When we haul our fallen leaves to the curb for disposal, we’re also helping to dispose of next year’s pollinators.
So what’s a gardener to do with all that organic material? According to Douglas Tallamy, the author of Bringing Nature Home, “the best place to leave the leaves is under the trees that grew them.”
This year, don’t trash your treasure! Consider raking your leaves into your perennial beds and under trees.Fallen leaves are the best mulch that money can’t buy!

​Aster”-nomical Value
Asters are a mainstay of the fall pollinator garden. From the stately royal purple blooms of New England aster to the dainty stars of white woodland aster, there are over 35 native species from which to choose. As summer’s flowers fade, asters step in to provide a beautiful display and a welcome source of nectar.. But is timing the only thing that makes them so highly attractive to pollinators?
The center of each aster ‘flower’ is actually made up of a tight cluster of many (up to 300) individual florets. Each of these is like a tiny cup brimming with nectar. The florets open successively (working from the outside towards the center), assuring pollinators that the ‘nectar buffet’ will be open for many weeks!
With so many different species that thrive in a variety of conditions, there’s sure to be a native aster (or two) that would do well in your pollinator garden. Try one, and reap the benefits!
Photo: Lisa Schneider

​Achoo? Not True!
Monarchs are on the move, and one of their favorite energy drinks is in full bloom! But pity the poor goldenrod: This brightly colored, much-maligned native is often blamed for fall allergies. But when you know a little about pollination, you realize that it’s really not such a bad guy!
The part of a plant that causes allergic reactions such as sneezing and itchy eyes is pollen. Some plants are wind-pollinated—they have a multitude of very light pollen grains that are easily blown from plant to plant by the wind, and are just as easily inhaled by us. Some examples of wind-pollinated plants include most grasses and trees.
Other plants have relatively heavy pollen grains that don’t blow about as easily (and therefore aren’t as likely to be inhaled in large quantities). These plants rely on pollinators to carry their pollen from one plant to the next. Goldenrod is one such insect-pollinated plant.
Goldenrod is a crucial source of late-season nectar for pollinators. Its bright yellow blooms are a signal to us that monarch migration is underway, and that other pollinators are beginning to make a transition to winter. Once the frosts have come and the plant dies, it provides important winter shelter for pollinators.
So if you’re feeling a bit stuffy right now—don’t blame goldenrod! It’s much more likely that ragweed (whose microscopic pollen grains can blow for hundreds or even thousands of miles!) is the cause of your discomfort.
Photo: Michael Barrick

​This Labor Day weekend, we pay tribute to those most tireless of workers–Bees.
If you’ve ever observed bees going about their business, you’ll realize that “busy as a bee” is an apt phrase. We might pack a lunch to take to school or work, or carry a picnic along on an outing–but bees must transport their loads of pollen and nectar back to their homes all day, every day. How do they do it?
Bumble bees and honey bees have structures called corbiculae (AKA ‘pollen baskets’) on their hind legs. These are cavities surrounded by a fringe of hairs. The bee grooms pollen from its body and compacts it, often moistening it with nectar, and presses it into the corbiculae. When you observe a bee that appears to be sporting bright yellow saddlebags–that’s a full pair of corbiculae!
Other bees, such as leafcutter bees, carry pollen on their scopa or ‘pollen brush’, an area of dense hairs located on the abdomen or hind legs. Still others utilize the sticky hairs that cover their entire bodies, giving them the appearance of being liberally dusted with pollen!
So as you celebrate this weekend, spare a thought for the bees. From fruits and veggies to flowers and trees–their labor makes our world a delicious and beautiful place. Why not give them a helping hand?

​Party On
Mountain mint is a party on a plant! Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and other beneficial insects all share in the bounty of nectar offered by Pycnanthemum spp.
The Snetsinger Butterfly Garden showcases four different species of native mountain mint, all of them stellar native plants for attracting a flurry of pollinator activity. Research has found mountain mint to be one of the most beneficial plants for supporting our pollinator pals. The tiny magenta-spotted white flowers that bloom against the silvery green leaves might seem insignificant to our human eye, but they’re like a big neon sign for insects seeking nectar.
As you may have guessed, mountain mints are in the mint family (Lamiaceae), easily identified by their square stems and aromatic leaves. Savvy gardeners might be wary of planting a “mint” in the garden, knowing their aggressive growing habits. But unlike culinary mints that can run amok, our native mountain mints are better behaved and easier to manage. Different species vary in their aggressiveness. For example, Virginia Mountain Mint (P. virginianum) seems to be more clump forming and less spreading.
Celebrate our pollinators by planting mountain mint, a guaranteed garden party success!

​Super-Sized: Silphium
During summer tours at the SBG, visitors often inquire about the identity of some of our less familiar native plants. At this time of year, one of the most frequent questions is about rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium), which is easily found growing between the Monarch Waystation and Serenity Space. Its larger cousin, cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum ) grows even taller–up to 9 feet!-- and can be seen lining the path from the parking area to the demonstration gardens, and throughout the meadow.
Members of the Asteraceae family, these statuesque beauties boast bright yellow blooms, and birds love the seeds that follow. The resinous juices they possess inspired the genus name Silphium,which is derived from the Greek word ‘silphion’. Silphion was a North African plant with a resinous juice used for medicinal purposes, and was so prized that the plant appeared on ancient Greek coins.
Juices aside, an easy way to identify either Silphium is by its leaves: Rub one between your fingers, and you’ll immediately notice the unmistakable, sandpapery feel.
Silphium grows easily from seed, and is at home in a wide variety of soils, even difficult clay soil. If you like your native plants on the large side, there’s probably a Silphium for you!

​Wild About…Wild Senna
The distinctive foliage of wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) is topped with racemes of bright yellow flowers which are attractive to many bees.. Although the bloom time is brief, the large brown seed pods which follow are enjoyed by birds, including game birds such as quail.
Although the flowers of wild senna contain no nectar, they still pack a nutritional punch: Their pollen has an especially high protein-to-lipid ratio, making it particularly valuable food for bees. The nectar is found in small, club-shaped glands near the base of the leaf, called extrafloral nectaries. The sweet nectar offered in this way attracts insects such as ants and ladybugs, who in turn protect the plant from other insects that might snack on the foliage.Wild senna is also a host plant for several sulphur butterflies.
And, like other members of the pea (Fabaceae) family, wild senna produces nitrogen-rich compounds which feed the soil as well. This statuesque plant makes a great herbaceous hedge or backdrop for other perennials.

​Nature’s Fireworks
Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is known around the world for its medicinal properties, its versatility as a cut flower, and as a valuable nectar source for pollinators. The upright, spiky central disk ( the genus name is from the Greek echinos, meaning "hedgehog,") and trailing pinkish/purple petals bring to mind a summer fireworks display. This popular native perennial is easily grown in a variety of conditions and will readily self-sow, so you’ll have plenty to share with friends and neighbors!
And when the show’s over, be sure to leave the seed heads standing over the winter as an important food source for songbirds.
Happy Independence Day from the SBG!
Photo: Danyelab, PIxabay

​Native encore: Amsonia tabernaemontana (eastern bluestar)
In late spring, when many native pollinator plants have either just finished or are just thinking about blooming, amsonia is putting on a real show. Its starry, powder-blue flowers top fine-textured foliage, growing 2-3 feet tall.. Drought-tolerant once established, this deer-resistant favorite is attractive to many bees,moths and butterflies. For the best display, plant en masse in full sun. Once flowering is over, gardeners can trim off the top 6 inches or so to create a tidy mound, and wait for the second act– a stunning display of brilliant gold autumn foliage.