Carder Bees and Lambs Ear
The quest to find the European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) will lead you straight to the nearest patch of lambs ear (Stachys byzantina). The male bees can be found […]
A Tale of Two Anemones
The springtime forest comes alive with the woodland flowers blooming before the leaf canopy darkens the forest floor. Many of these early blooming flowers provide the essential resources needed for […]
In the Shadow of Honeybees
As a beekeeper my greatest satisfaction is when my hives survive the winter. My favorite winter sound is hearing the steady hum of the honeybee cluster inside the hive on […]
Before you plant BEWARE!
Before you plant BEWARE! What you plant may be detrimental to the local environment. Did you know that New York State has a prohibited and regulated Invasive plants list, https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/isprohibitedplants2.pdf? […]
A Batesian Mimic, The Bee Fly
Flies (Diptera spp.) are an eclectic group of pollinators with many species that mimic bees. The bee fly or humblefly is a perfect example of a batesian mimic, a harmless […]
Buttonbush a Midsummer Favorite
Growing in the Hudson Highland wetlands, the buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is at home alongside tussock grasses with roots growing in spongy sphagnum moss. It thrives in full to partial sun […]
Pollinator Haven at Wave Hill
Wave Hill in the Bronx is a 28 acre garden, an oasis that transports visitors to another world. The vista from the Pergola Overlook commands the attention of the Palisades, […]
Osmia: Powerhouse Pollinators
The blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) is a fast efficient native pollinator of early spring flowers. In the apple orchard 250 to 300 of these powerhouse pollinators can do the […]
Pussytoes: An Inconspicuous Little Plant
Ladies’ tobacco, Plantain-leaved everlasting, Plantain-leaved pussytoes, Pussytoes are common names for Antennaria plantaginifolia, an inconspicuous little plant in the Aster family. It thrives in full sun and is perfectly suited […]
