Why Plant with Natives?
Connecticut has a lot of beautiful native plants. Not only are you preserving our heritage but generally these plants are low maintenance and provide habitat for native insect and bird species.
For the MJS garden we also looked for drought resistant plants that would appeal to hummingbirds and other birds and butterflies. We also included host plants for butterflies such as milkweed, the host for monarch butterflies.
Common Milkweed (Asclepia Suriaca)
A native to much of the eastern USA, Common Milkweed generally grows to about 48" high and blooms late June through July. Common Milkweed is utilized as a nectar source by hummingbirds and also by many butterfly species. This plant is critical for monarch butterflies who use it as a host plant to lay their eggs and feed the larvae.
Monarchs need our help. In the past 10 years, over 75% of the wintering Monarchs from North America froze to death in Mexico as a result of three days of rain and sub-freezing conditions. They have sprung back in numbers but there is a Nationwide shortage of milkweed. Freak weather patterns destroy habitats and kill millions of helpless Monarchs. Habitat must be protected now to ensure their survival. We encourage everyone to protect and plant milkweed on your property.
You can find these plants growing in fields or along treelines but they are not likely to survive transplant due to their long taproot. These plants have diminished in numbers due to pesticide use and territory loss but they can be cultivated by seed or by cuttings. We purchased plants and seeds and have some naturally occurring near our East Garden.
Monarchs need our help. In the past 10 years, over 75% of the wintering Monarchs from North America froze to death in Mexico as a result of three days of rain and sub-freezing conditions. They have sprung back in numbers but there is a Nationwide shortage of milkweed. Freak weather patterns destroy habitats and kill millions of helpless Monarchs. Habitat must be protected now to ensure their survival. We encourage everyone to protect and plant milkweed on your property.
You can find these plants growing in fields or along treelines but they are not likely to survive transplant due to their long taproot. These plants have diminished in numbers due to pesticide use and territory loss but they can be cultivated by seed or by cuttings. We purchased plants and seeds and have some naturally occurring near our East Garden.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
True to its name, butterfly weed is a marvelous for attracting butterflies. The "weed" label, however, is entirely undeserved; it's not weedy in its looks or habits. The handsome, dark green foliage is topped with bright orange flowers in July and August. Butterfly weed has a long tap root that makes the plant highly drought-resistant, but also makes mature plants tricky to transplant. Container-grown plants, however, transplant easily. Butterfly weed is considered a "Great Plant for American Gardens" by the American Horticultural Society. 2-3' tall.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia Cardinalis)
In the wild, cardinal flower grows mostly in sunny swamps, but it will grow in moist garden soil if given part shade. Cardinal flower blooms in mid- to late summer; the brilliant red flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds. It is considered a "Great Plant for American Gardens" by the American Horticultural Society. 3' tall.
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera Sempervirens)
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) average soil zones 4-9 This is a showy vine with scarlet flowers in summer and autumn. Trumpet honeysuckle is a favorite with hummingbirds. The leaves are dark green on top, and pale blue-green beneath. The vine climbs by twining stems, so it needs a trellis, fence, or large shrub to climb on. Climbs 10-20'.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca)
The cardiac glycoside in milkweed has also been useful as a chemical defense for monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). Chemicals from the milkweed plant make the monarch caterpillar's flesh distasteful to most predators. Monarch butterflies are specific to milkweed plants; this is the only type of plant on which the eggs are laid and the larvae will feed and matures into a chrysalis. Eggs are laid on the underside of young, healthy leaves. Monarch, Queen, and Viceroy butterflies are Müllerian mimics; all are toxic, and have co-evolved similar warning patterns to avoid predation. Milkweed species are attractive to many insect species, including the large milkweed bug, common milkweed bug, red milkweed beetle, blue milkweed beetle, and bees. Accordingly, this is a wonderful horticultural plant for landscaping to attract butterflies (particularly monarchs), whose numbers are declining and migratory routes changing due to lack of appropriate habitat.
New England Aster (Asteraceae)
There are hundreds of species of asters, New England aster is a native plant which attracts many
butterflies and insects, especially a variety of bees. It is a host plant for many of the moths of caterpillars.
butterflies and insects, especially a variety of bees. It is a host plant for many of the moths of caterpillars.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium or Eupatorium purpureum)
Joe Pye weed is a must have in a butterfly garden. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, Pearl Crescent, Monarch, and the Tawny-edged Skipper are just some of butterflies known to love Joe-Pye.The stalks are hollow and will fall over if not sheltered from the wind. If you look closely you will see them growing everywhere, especially along the edges of woods or in fields.
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Liatris is a veritable beneficial insect magnet, attracting among others, Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies,
Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)
A very common roadside flower very attractive to bees and butterflies. Easy to grow perennial that multiplies and fills a garden with yellow sunshine.
Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
This native plant is known for its berry, but also for its brilliant fall leaf color. It is an adaptable plant that produces bird friendly fruit.
Sweet Pepper bush (Chlethera)
This ornamental shrub is wonderful for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Many burds eat the fruit that forms.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
These remarkable little flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other nectar-seeking creatures that covet the tubular flowers. I've been warned this plant likes to spread out and take over in the garden.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
This perenniel herb is another insect and butterfly magnet. This herb has a wonderful fragrance,
Native Americans used it for medicinal purposes to treat cough, fever and wounds. The soft, anise-scented leaves are used as a seasoning, as a tea, and in potpourri. The purple flower spike is favored by bees who make a light fragrant honey from the nectar
Native Americans used it for medicinal purposes to treat cough, fever and wounds. The soft, anise-scented leaves are used as a seasoning, as a tea, and in potpourri. The purple flower spike is favored by bees who make a light fragrant honey from the nectar
Cone Flower (Echinacea)
Widely renowned as a medicinal plant, coneflowers are a long-flowering perennial for borders, wildflower meadows, and prairie gardens. Blooming midsummer to fall, the plants are relatively drought-tolerant and rarely bothered by pests. The flowers are a magnet for butterflies, and the seeds in the dried flower heads attract songbirds. Flower colors include rose, purple, pink, and white. Plants grow 2 to 4 feet tall.
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
A shrub like plant that will produce berries and coverage for the birds.
Sweet Pepper Bush (Clethra Alnifolia)
This hardy shrub is just coming into flower in our garden. It has mildly fragrant sweet spikes of feathery flowers. We have both white and pink varieties growing. They will form berries for the birds.
High Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium Corymbosum)
Blueberry bushes are known for their delicious, sweet fruit. These are being planted to attract and supplement the bird's diet.
Butterfly Bush (Budleia- a non-native species)
Butterly bushes are magnets for butterflies and bees. It is very easy to grow, in fact it can be considered invasive by some as it sends out volunteers every yeat. It is very easy to grow and we determined we would include this in our garden.
For more information on planting with natives visit :
Connecticut Botanical Society
UConn Plant database
Connecticut Botanical Society
UConn Plant database