Gardening

In 2014, the pretty spotted lanternfly hitchhiked its way to Pennsylvania aboard a shipment of stone leaving China and ended up an unwanted and messy guest in Berks County, just outside Philadelphia. It has now invaded other states throughout the east coast and headed westward into Virginia and Ohio.For the lanternfly, hitchhiking wasn't a bad personal choice. Nothing in … [Read more...] about Bugs make trouble; bees make honey

The monarch butterflies are returning from Texas and Mexico to northern climes. To attract them and other butterflies to your yard, you need to offer them with food and water. Only a few plants provide both food for the caterpillar and nectar for the adults. Plant groups that can be used for both include asters, cherry, clover, marigold, milkweed, Queen Anne's lace and … [Read more...] about How to attract butterflies

The Painted Ladies arrive in MarchBy mid-to-late March, people in California and along the southern U.S. border should begin to see the world's most persistent and breathtaking traveler: the Painted Lady butterfly. The Painted Lady makes the longest known migratory journey of any animal, even longer than its celebrated cousin, the monarch, according to a study published in … [Read more...] about Longest migration of any creature

These drought-tolerant perennials will come through a dry spell without a great deal of watering.* Purple coneflower. It has many purple-red, daisy-like blooms from midsummer to early autumn.* Lavender. This mounding evergreen shrub with silvery-gray needle-like leaves and spikes has purple or white flowers in summer.* Silver king or silver queen. Has aromatic silvery-gray … [Read more...] about Drought-tolerant flowers save water