Ilex Glabra, commonly called Inkberry is a mound-shaped, colony-forming shrub, somewhat open with age, 6-12 ft. tall and wide. Lance-shaped, sparingly-toothed, glossy, leathery foliage varies in color from dark- to light-green both in summer and fall. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by black berries which persist well into winter and are a favorite of birds and wildlife.
Organic Gardening Pest Control is possible with the introduction of the proper insects into your garden and landscape beds. Garden without pesticides utilizing mother nature's defense against these plant threats.
A hardy, urban shade tree, the hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is very beneficial for wildlife; it is one of the best trees for providing food and shelter to birds and small animals. It is host to at least five different species of butterfly, including the Tawny Emperor, the Snout Butterfly, the Morning Cloak, the Question Mark, and of course, the rare Hackberry Emperor.
Native Perennials for Pollinator Gardens in Northern New Jersey are available at the New Jersey Audubon’s Spring Native Plant Sale at the Lorrimer Nature Sanctuary | in Franklin Lakes, NJ on May 7th, 2022 from 10am to 4pm.
The celebration date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.
Gro-Low Sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’) is an outstanding groundcover shrub that is only 18″ tall but spreads widely. It grows in most any soil in full or part sun. A tough, fast-growing groundcover for slopes or banks, and areas with poor, dry soil. This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions.
This non-native plant, hydrilla, is killing our national symbol, the Bald Eagle. After a nearly 30-year hunt, researchers have shown that a neurotoxin generated by cyanobacteria on invasive plants is responsible for eagle and waterbird deaths from vacuolar myelinopathy. I for one can’t think of a better reason than this to utilize native plants.