Biodiversity and Ecological Value

At least half of my time tending the pollinator meadow is spent removing invasive evergreen seedlings: monkey grass (liriope), Japanese privet, wintercreeper, English ivy.

These plants might not feed most insects and other animals, but birds love the seeds and poop them all over creation.

The problem is that these plants displace native species that feed a higher number of species, including caterpillars and other insect larva.

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20220609-mallows. Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus) with Scarlet Rose Mallow (Hibiscus coccineus) in the lower left corner of the photo.

A plant doesn’t have to be rare or endangered to be ecologically valuable.

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20190825-wildflowers. Sulfur Cosmos might be common, but they feed pollinator insects, both adults and larvae.
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20220609-scarlet-rose-mallow. The Scarlet Rose Mallow (Hibiscus coccineus) is a perennial member of the hibiscus family.
20201022-swamp-sunflowers-v2
20201022-swamp-sunflowers-v2. Swamp Sunflowers (Helianthus angustifolius L.) are a perennial sunflower that blooms late summer/early fall, which makes it a great compliment for the early-blooming annuals.
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20200717-shield-bug-nymphs. Shield Bug Nymphs on a small variety of pumpkin.
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20200915-grasshoppers. Obscure Bird Grasshoppers (Schistocerca obscura) preparing to mate.
20210726-caterpillar
20210726-caterpillar