Early Blooming Spring Flowers

Early spring flowers are the surest sign that warmer weather is coming. Come springtime when you are out and about have you ever wondered “just what are those beautiful flowers in that landscape?” I admit, as much as I know my plants and flowers, I often find myself going “Whoa, what is that? It’s beautiful.” I love it when I’m stumped. Chances are it may be one of the plants below which all burst forth in spring with dazzling displays of color and hues. Sure there are pansies in this list, but what is Spring without Pansys?

Native Plants for Pollinators

Three Pollinator Plants

Imagine living in a world without flowers or fruit or even coffee or chocolate for that matter. Thanks to the wonderful work of pollinators like bees, much of the food we eat and flowers and plants we enjoy are possible. And it’s not just bees that are doing all the work. Butterflies, birds, beetles, bats, wasps and even flies are important in the pollination process. But despite the importance of pollinators, they are taken for granted all too often.

Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day 2019

Earth Day helps remind us that we need to stay in that green state of mind, and each year on April 22nd countries around the world celebrate this anniversary. While we celebrate these principles worldwide on this day, during the weeks thereafter those very principles and tenets are all to often forgotten again until next year. Celebrate Earth Day not only April 22nd, but every day of the year. There are a multitude of ways to do so around the home that make a difference year round. Here’s half a dozen good ones to help you get started.

Beautyberry Callicarpa Americana - almost PERFECT Landscaping

Don’t Prune that Beautyberry

Within the past few decades, a native American shrub has been slowly making the transition from it woodland and forest habitat to backyards throughout New Jersey. What’s puzzling about it is just how long it took homeowners to realize that Callicarpa American (Beautyberry) is both an attractive addition to any landscape as well as a valuable source of food for many types of wildlife. Most of the time though, you’ll look at it and wonder why it’s name alludes to beauty? Then bam, fall arrives and this plant gets busy.