Five die-hard flowers that bloom through July

Judy Holly of the Las Vegas Examiner shares in her latest article 5 plants that survive the extreme temperatures and light intensities of the hot summer months. The author covers the Chilopsis linearis – also known as desert willow and desert Catalpa, Tacoma stans – also known as Yellow Bells and Yellow Trumpet Flower, Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Red Bird of Paradise or Mexican Bird of Paradise, Lantana species and lastly, Nerium oleander. For more on these plants and pictures, follow the link to her article - Read more>

Brilliant Blossoms for Butterflies

Being a good environmentalist is often about not doing something, but here’s a fun activity that’s good for you to do: create a butterfly habitat in your backyard. This simple project helps both the environment and one little creature that is always a joy to watch—the butterfly.

It’s easy to welcome butterflies into your garden, just follow these four steps.

• Plant flowers in large groupings. It helps butterflies notice them.


• Butterflies favorite perennials include: Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Asters, Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Brazilian Verbena (Verbena bonariensis), Catmint (Nepeta), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Goldenrod (Solidago), Ironweed (Vernonia), Lavender, and Phlox.


• Annuals that butterflies love are: Cosmos, Lantana (it’s perennial in some areas, and annual in others), Marigolds, Sweet Alyssum, and Zinnias.


• Butterflies and caterpillars can be affected by herbicides and pesticides—even organic products. Before you use a product on or near your butterfly habitat, read the label carefully.
  
  ~Amanda Miller

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com