Why Plant Natives?    At Birds, Bees and Butterflies Nursery, we emphasize planting native plant materials. That is, plants that were growing in our area in pre-settlement times.  The reasons are quite simple... First, the plants that were growing on the Kansas Prairie were designed for and adapted to our climate.  With their deep roots, often several times deeper than the plants are tall, prairie plants can survive the harsh climate extremes that they face - making them a natural for xeriscaping (gardening with minimal water).  Go out and look at the prairie during a drought.  When we have to pamper our cultivated plants just to keep them alive, prairie plants are thriving in the heat with the minimal soil moisture available to them.  They go right on through their regular cycles without skipping a beat... blooming and setting seed in spite of the dry conditions.  And our winters, often with long stretches of sub-freezing temps and sparse moisture, have minimal effect on these plants as well!  Many trees growing in the prairie regions of Kansas today were not present in large numbers in pre-settlement times due to the regular prairie fires that swept across the area.  These regular "cleansings" eliminated many woody species and maintained the prairie grasses and forbs.  In post-settlement times, the trees have slowly encroached onto the prairie by colonizing westward along rivers and streams or by having their seeds dispersed by birds.  Yet, it is mostly the native species that have thrived in and survived the vagaries of the Kansas climate. Second, many native species of butterflies, moths and even birds depend on native species of plants for their survival.  For example, the caterpillars of many of our favorite butterflies and moths feed exclusively on native plants.  For example... Zebra Swallowtail larvae feed only on Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)leaves. Monarch Butterfly larvae feed exclusively on native milkweeds(Asclepias sp.). Pipevine Swallowtail larvae feed on Dutchman's Pipe and Virginia Snakeroot leaves (Aristolochia sp.) The larvae of the gorgeous Luna Moth feed on the leaves of a few native trees.   Sure, you can feed nectar to the adults of these species with the flowers of many native and introduced plant species, but if these creatures are going to survive, reproduce and increase in your yard or neighborhood, they must have these food requirements met for their larvae (caterpillars).
American Beautyberry Birds love the fruit, which are so bright that butterflies try to nectar from them!	Annual Sunflower A Bumble Bee sleeps on a blossom.	Echinacea angustifolia, a purple coneflower from Western Kansas.  Goldfinches flock to the dried flowers in the winter garden to feed on the seeds.
Where Do I Begin?    Like any journey, planting a garden to attract and feed birds, bees and butterflies begins by making a first step.  Research to find which species of plants are native to where you live.  Then check for what needs they might supply for the critters in your yard.  Do they sport blossoms to provide nectar for butterflies and bees?  Do they provide seeds for birds?  Maybe fruit that persists through the winter to feed the birds when they need it most?   The four requirements for a garden for wildlife are: Food - in the form of seeds, berries, nectar, and yes, even plant leaves! Water - a daily supply of clean water, unfrozen in the winter, is a necessity.  Moving water that makes splashing noises is not only pleasant to our ears, but will also attract many species of warblers during migration. Cover - a place to hide from predators. Nesting/reproduction sites - A crabapple tree for nesting Robins, milkweeds for Monarch butterflies, etc.    Winter is a time of intense stress for many bird species.  While we often put seed out regularly for the Cardinals and Goldfinches in our yards, how often do we think of the Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, Robins, and occasional Mockingbirds that need fruit to stay alive during the cold weather.  A planting of Viburnums, Bittersweet vine, Crabapples and other trees and shrubs with winter-persistent fruit  will provide an ample supply of food for these birds.  The seed-eaters, especially Goldfinches and Pine Siskins will glean seeds from coneflower and sunflowers left standing through the winter as well.   If you can let a small patch of your yard go, without mowing or weeding, a crop of "weeds" will spring up and provide food and cover for birds and insects.  This will be a favorite spot for Juncos and other winter sparrows, and provide hours of entertainment for you!   As time allows, I will provide more information for you to establish a garden that attracts Birds, Bees and Butterflies, so please return often and see what's new!