The charismatic monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) is a joyful sight for any gardener. This one, in its fifth instar stage— the largest and most vividly colored— has undergone its… Read more
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The Diversity & Ecological Value of Native Shrubs - Online Instructor: Meredith Gallogly, Grow Native Massachusetts Workshop When:
Where:Online (Via Zoom Meeting)
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If you can wear your heart on your sleeve, why not also your passion for an earth-changing mission? Our t-shirts feature two fun new designs that capture our love for native plants and for stewarding biodiversity locally.
Purchase yours today to show off your support for Grow Native Massachusetts, and to kickstart conversations about the important of ecologically-informed landscaping.
Gray birch (Betula populifolia) is an underutilized tree with a lot of potential for greater use in managed landscapes. A beautiful tree that is well-adapted to urban and suburban landscapes, it also has significant wildlife value as a host plant for Lepidoptera and as a source of seed and nesting sites for migrating birds. A common sight along roadsides, gray birch is a fast-growing pioneer species that will thrive in sunny, dry sites and in poor soil.
There are a growing number of ambitious tree planting initiatives being undertaken by public and private entities with the goal of increasing carbon sequestration. As reported in the New York Times, while reforestation efforts are one important strategy for fighting climate change, too many of these operations are installing plantations of non-native tree species, with significant negative impacts on biodiversity. This and other decisions that disregard local ecology result in plantings that, in some cases, can actually increase carbon emissions.
To chart a better path forward, conservationists from around the world came together to advance “Ten Golden Rules for Reforestation,” that can be used to create long-term strategies that tackle both the climate change and biodiversity crises. Whether you are seeking to reforest your urban tree canopy, a small suburban lot, or a much larger landscape, always remember that what you plant matters!
From the Director of Horticulture at Native Plant Trust.
This new guide to plant selection keeps the ecological imperative for gardening with native plants front and center, with details on wildlife value included in most plant descriptions. The explanations of landscaping essentials in early chapters are a must-read for new gardeners. Uli also highlights many promising but relatively unknown species for plant aficionados to discover.