If you’re told to picture a pollinator garden, you’ll probably imagine a sunny patch of wildflowers and not necessarily a single big tree. But although their flowers aren’t as showy as our native perennials, trees are hugely important host plants for a wide variety of butterflies and moths. Native trees typically host way more species […]
Butterflies
What’s a Host Plant? Why It’s Important to Plant for Caterpillars, Not Just Butterflies
All plants have some baseline ecological benefits. They prevent erosion, keep moisture and nutrients in the soil, and sequester carbon. They also provide shade, shelter, and cover for species ranging from tiny insects to large mammals. But when we talk about the most beneficial plants and trees to plant (or conserve) in a given area, […]