The most noticeable and distinctive characteristic of Betula Papyrifera, a medium sized and native deciduous tree, is its peeling bark, which is accented by the green leaves that turn to a bright yellow in the autumn season. The peeling white bark blends in well with snowy winter landscapes.
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.
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.
Do you like the color blue? Well this client who lives in Ridgewood NJ wanted nothing but blue in the front of his house. He loved the color blue so much he decided he wanted Colorado Blue Spruces planted.
Let’s talk native plants. Trees in particular. And like a good neighbor, trees benefit from having suitable plants growing near them in lieu of invasive weeds and plants that Steal Nutrients and Space. Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water.