We get a lot of questions about what the different container sizes really mean for your landscape. On every product page, you’ll see a tabbed navigation under the photos. This navigation will give you a lot more detail about the plant you are considering. You’ll also see a Plant Sizes tab with a helpful comparison video. Now, read on for a behind the scenes look at the trade secrets of the nursery industry. Too long, didn’t read? Just know that in general, container size is relative to the age of the plant with a few notable exceptions such as miniaturized Bonsai trees, or the galloping growth of Willow Hybrid trees. The older the plant, the more developed the root system. That’s what make a BIG difference in your landscape. Buy the biggest plant you can for immediate impact in your landscape. Selecting the Best Container to Support Root Production Our nursery production has changed over the years. Every industry is pushing innovation, and the nursery trade is no different. As more plants are being grown in pots, production innovations were being trialed. At Nature Hills, making new roots that are healthy and branch well is our goal. Nurseries and growers are always looking for new products that will make the best roots for their plants right from the start. New container options were offered with improved designs with slits or ridges that might assist the plants in producing a better root system. The shape and size of the pots we use have changed due to ongoing research. In addition, our nursery plant containers must be strong, flexible, label compatible and cost-effective. We protect our plants very well for shipping. Market Evolution of Nursery Plant Container Production Keep in mind that most container grown plants used to be grown in quart pots, 1 gallon, 2 gallon, 3 gallon, 5 gallon, and 7 gallon sizes.  However, with competition comes changes. More sizes and styles of plastic containers began to be offered by the container companies, which were soon patented. Now, companies produce pots that span a range of volumes and have moved away from true gallon sizes to better suit the root production needs of specific plant genus and species. Most nurseries then began labeling them by broad ranges, including #1, #2, #3, #5, #7 to communicate or help buyers visualize the size of plant being sold across this range of volumes by class. Nitty Gritty on the NCWM Weights and Measures Law With that change, consumers began to question the sizes of the containers. Plants might be listed as a 3 gallon plant but the volume of soil in these pots was not consistent. The NCWM Uniform Weights and Measures Law was enacted to help eliminate some of these inconsistencies in container size across the industry. They were looking for uniform packaging and regulation on labeling. This law was put into place to bring some continuity to the industry. The reason for this law is to help the consumer in comparing similar products by using uniform and consistent quantity information on the product package, or in advertising and signage. The regulation forces the container producers to list their volume in both U.S. and metric measures, the contents, and either the common or botanical names or both. New signage and labeling practices in the nursery industry affected the business all along the supply chain - from container producers, growers, label manufacturers to plant branding firms and eventually the retailers. Now, within a compliant industry player, every potted plant you buy will have the volume of soil in that pot listed somewhere on it or it will be readily available from the grower. So, How Big is the Plant Grown in These Different Containers? So now you know about containers. But you still don’t know the actual size of the plant growing in the pot! Well, that’s a little bit harder to answer. Read on with us for the rest of the story. Life Cycle of a Container Grown Perennial As a nursery and grower, we know the many things that can affect the physical size of each plant that we offer. Some of the size differences are based upon the time of the year, pruning methods and timing, or variances from grower to grower or to different regions. Think about shipping a dormant Bleeding Heart perennial in a #1 container in a March shipment. That plant would not even be showing any growth above ground yet, but it would just be a pot full of soil and roots. Now ship that plant in May and it might be 18” tall and flowering. What about shipping a Bleeding Heart perennial in a #1 container in October? It may have gone dormant again and appear to be nothing more than a pot filled with soil and roots. In all three shipments the size of the pot, and the volume of soil in it was exactly the same, but the size of the plant varied depending upon the time of year it was shipped. The weights and measures labeling is in place as a #1 pot, but the plant size is not consistent. Pot Size Equals the Age of The Plant The pot size dictates the volume of soil mix that was used to grow that plant.  When a grower is producing a new plant in a container, the size of the root system and age of the plant has to be matched to the container size that is being used to grow that plant. Container size has more to do with the age of the plant, than the physical size of the plant growing in that pot. Best Growth is Achieved in the Right Sized Container In many cases, if a small plant is placed in a pot that is too large for it, the growth is negatively affected. If there is too much soil in the pot, it may not dry out quickly enough for the plant to use the water as it is needed. That excess water can cause the roots to rot, and the plant to die. Conversely, in a pot too small, the roots become overcrowded. If roots are crowded, the soil may dry out too quickly. The plant may stress because the moisture is used up before receiving additional water.  At our nurseries, our production personnel are matching the age and size of the plants to the size of the container they are being grown in. The size of the pot is in correlation to the age of the plant. Do keep in mind the example of the Bleeding Heart perennial shipment, and how timing can affect what you see at delivery. Our production facilities shift these plants to larger pots as needed. Nature Hills has a phenomenal group of growers that ensure we remain compliant with our labeling on container sizes and correct plant nomenclature. However, our concern goes deeper than mere compliance as we continue to grow and expand shipping across the entire country. Plant Sentry™ Keeps Nature Hills Compliant Nature Hills is the leader in supplying healthy plants across the country to your doorstep, while remaining compliant for all state and local regulations. Why do we lead all other online plant suppliers in all categories? It is due to our commitment to excellence and dedication to plant health until it arrives safely to your home. We use an online service called Plant Sentry™ which only allows for the purchase of the correct legal size plant, depending on where it originates from. This is important to ensure that the plant leaves from the best healthy growing environment. The program also insures that each plant is labeled entirely correctly as guided by legal weights and measures, so you know that you are getting exactly what you paid for. Nature Hills has prepared a recent video that explains the plant age and the size of the pots they are being grown in. This should give you a better idea of the amount of work that we have into a plant.

Devastating wildfires in California have made everyone more aware of the dangers of living in fire prone regions. While nothing can totally eliminate the threat of wildfires in these areas, there are things which can be done to lessen the impact. Research is ongoing on ways to protect your house using firewise landscaping techniques. You might also hear this as "firescaping" or even fire safe landscaping. This post is designed to give you a quick rundown of the overall principles, then share with you some of the best web resources we've found on this important topic. Look to Local Fire Experts for Help as You Plan Preplanning is critical to reduce your risk of forest, grassland and other flammable wildland area fires. You’ll want to consider looking into your state forestry agencies and local fire protection district to request a region-specific property assessment. A site visit from a forestry or fire expert can uncover important action items to harden your house. In addition, experts will be able to tell you how to manage your gorgeous existing plantings of trees and bushes. Firewise Landscaping is Cutting Edge Garden Design Theory The goal is to redesign your landscape in a way that is less likely to contribute to the spread of wildfire to your house or other structures. Start thinking of your house as a castle surrounded by "defensible space" and treatment zones. Each zone is part of a comprehensive plan to limit fire access to your home and outbuildings, without reducing the beauty of your living space. Choose the most fire-resistant plants when preparing your landscape. When planting, use them in a right way to subdue an advancing fire. * Consider placing all hardscape, walkways, patios, and play areas close to the house to create a greater distance between what will burn and the house. * Bark and wood mulches should never be used within 10 feet of the house. These ignite quickly and burn intensely. Instead, use rock or gravel close to structures.  * Never plant low growing shrubs below taller growing trees. This creates a ladder effect allowing the fire on the ground easier access to the trees and then to your house. Avoid plants that create lots of litter, or plan to clean up regularly. * Use flower and vegetable gardens as wet spaces between your structures and the surrounding forest. The wet spaces are more difficulty to ignite because they are watered regularly. Fire-Resistant Plant Lists Keep in mind that no plant is fire proof. However, its best to select plants with a high moisture content that are resistant to fire as you design a firewise landscape. Nature Hills offers plant materials that appear on several regional roundup lists for fire-resistant plants. Here are a few considerations: Daylilies  |  Serviceberry Shrubs  |  Poplar Trees  |  Apple Trees  |  Cherry Trees Resource Websites to Help You Plan Your Defensible Space Each district is different, so please plan to do your own legwork. We’ve gotten you started with some wonderful resources, but it may take several phone calls to find the right resource in your area to schedule a visit to your home.  Colorado State Forest Service has great information on how you can protect your home, property and forest from wildfire. Cal Fire is a comprehensive site related to preparing your home for wildfire.  FireFree is an Oregon-based organization that has wonderful resources from Oregon State University, Washington State University and the University of Idaho. FireSafeMarin gives Northern California residence practical tips on firescaping and hardening your house. National Fire Protection Association covers in-depth fire preparation both inside and outside the home. Utah State University extension program is loaded with good information for wildfire prone regions. Be safe!

Many homeowners focus on beautiful outdoor spaces specifically for entertaining, which may include a pool area, eating and bar areas set in incredible outdoor kitchens complete with plumbing, cooking and lighting. But what about creating a garden space just for yourself? What kind of outdoor space would you use? Here are some ways you can create a deeply personal retreat that will support you and ‘fill your bucket’. Planning Your Meditation Garden Have you heard of meditation gardens? They are a deeply personal sanctuary – large or tiny – that give you much needed respite from the daily grind. Pick a spot in your yard that is close enough to the house, so you can easily access it each day. You’ll create a garden room with walls, flooring and décor. This can be as simple or as ornate as you like. Budget is always a consideration, but you’d be surprised at how effective a few thoughtful additions will be. How will you use the space? Spending time planning will ensure you use it often. Will you need room for yoga? Block that out first, and start thinking about ground surfaces that are soft, slip-resistant and supportive. Do you prefer to laze with a good book? Are you limber enough for a low slung hammock, or do you need a straight backed garden chair? Do you love your daily cup of tea or coffee? Include room for an outdoor table. This planning process is it’s own meditation. When we take the time to really prioritize and celebrate our needs, it allows us to continue to give to others without facing the dreaded pain of burn out. Caregivers are especially vulnerable to this. It’s not selfish, it’s self-care and it is important.  High powered executive? Consider this a strategic life decision, part of a comprehensive plan to support more effective decision-making.  Doodle ideas on scratch paper. Research online and save ideas to reuse. Enjoy the process, and know that you’ll be constantly changing, adding, moving, subtracting the elements in this space. This is how a garden works; it's always in motion but grounded in personal meaning. Build the Walls of Your Outdoor Room with Trees and Shrubs Draw a map of your space. Is there a close neighbor or unsightly view? Start by introducing a simple screen at the back edge of your private space to create the walls of your room. Plant an evergreen like Green Giant Arborvitae, which are fast growing and can be planted close together to make a screen in a short period of time.  In warmer climates, you may consider using Italian Cypress or even holly plants that have shiny evergreen foliage all year long.  In the short term, use a temporary screen such as a large houseplant or folding screen. Grow vines such as clematis or honeysuckle along a trellis. Visual privacy is important to help you feel safe and let go. If you have traffic noise, consider adding ornamental grasses that rustle with the slightest breeze. Catch the wind with a windchime. Add a circulating water fountain to add the beautiful sound of water. Save up for a set of noise blocking headphones. Do what you need to give yourself peace. Mindful Garden Design Includes all Five Senses Next, select plants that have some meaning for you. Maybe you have fond memories of your grandmothers Lilacs that you always remembered being so fragrant in her yard.  Select some of your favorite Lilacs to use in your new space.  Pick some of your favorites but do keep in mind that plant selection may be dictated by the amount of sun or shade that your new backyard retreat receives. Shady meditation rooms can rely on Hosta and other foliage plants rather than sun-loving flowering plants. Use our Filters to sort for new selections you may not have considered. This is part of the process, and it’s fun to see all the options. We recently added a “Comparison” feature. You can hover over the Shop Now button and add to favorites or add to a comparison view. Pick colors that you love. Maybe you are an all-white flower lover and you will select only green plants and white flowers. If you prefer cool, calming flower colors include blues, purples, and green and whites. Select what you like and stick with those colors throughout the space.  Using plants that are of similar colors creates harmony in your new space but contrasting bold colors will energize the space. All of the parts to contribute to the whole. There is no right answer! Layer Plants Together Using Your Personal Style Place your favorite plants as the next layer in front of the screening backdrop. Prefer to keep things informal? Include odd numbers of these plants used in curved groups. A more formal approach would be to plant these plants in even and uniform rows to create your outdoor retreat.  Do you want a full-to-bursting cottage garden look? Or do you want to leave “visual space” in carefully groomed Japanese-style garden? Nature Hills offers plenty of options for perennials and ground covers that work for your area. Read the Plant Highlight Facts to see how large the plants will get. Use large, medium, small and tiny plants to fill the space as full as you’d like. Shop Small Perennials  Shop Large Perennials  Don’t forget to include some native plants, pollinators and plants that will produce fruit to attract wildlife to your space. Have you ever just sat and watched butterflies dance around your yard? Include plants that will attract them and beautiful birds, too.    Shop Wildlife Shrubs  Consider adding plants with different texture and form. It can be very effective to juxtapose different types against each other. Contemplate the differences between velvety Lamb’s Ear and spare, lean and elegant Yucca. Rounded versus elongated. Rough versus soft. Large versus small. Dynamic garden design can whisper to you mysteries of the deep story of life. Plan a Focal Point For Your Meditation Garden Now develop a focal point in the area that has the screen of plants in place. Use small rocks to outline the shape of a labyrinth for daily contemplation. Haul in and place a large boulder or create a special sculpture. Bottle trees, bird baths, topiary trees, outdoor sculpture, you name it. Use what speaks to you and brings you joy. This is truly a “no judgement” zone. Perhaps you have an appreciation for Japanese garden design. Include an interesting weeping form of a colorful tree or a breathtaking Japanese Maple with their evocative, luscious leaves. Shop for Accent Trees  Shop for Patio Trees  Apartment dwellers can use a small Citrus tree in a beautiful container as a wonderful focal point. Take time to study the growing new fruit as a real lesson in change and gratitude. You’ll love enjoying the ripe fruit as a very special treat. Another focal point could be a small water feature, such as a bubbling rock with a pump that circulates the water. Something as simple as a whiskey barrel sunk into the ground and filled with water and a small pump that creates a bubbling noise. “Pond-less” waterfalls are very popular, where water is pumped over a rock and splashes onto gravel that covers the collection tank and keeps recirculating the water. They are easy to maintain and add the soothing sound of water to your space. There are interesting fountains that can be purchased, filled with water and just plugged in.  Sedge grasses love having their roots in water, and we offer a wide selection of them. They’ll soften the look for you with very little care and they'll thrive in any splash zones. Set The Scene With Thoughtful Touches Soft, cushiony surfaces encourage you to slip your shoes off and wiggle your toes. Thick grass, or easy care groundcovers such as English Ivy, Creeping Thyme, or Golden Creeping Jenny can be used (please note that Nature Hills follows regional restrictions for any plant that becomes invasive in your particular zone.)   You’ll want to include a path from your house to the space in your planning. Winding paths can add a delightful sense of anticipation and destination. If you’ll do yoga in the space, consider building a sturdy platform deck out of splinter-free composite decking. Rugged exterior storage boxes can hold your mat, blocks and other props. A final suggestion is to include inexpensive lighting. Use solar lights, or add a small transformer and just a few LED lights that will highlight the area, so it can be used after sunset or at sunrise. This can make all of the difference for you when you utilize your new unique space. Shoot a light upwards from under your Japanese Maple or other shade tree. Add a few pathway lights to take you out to the space and voila! You have just increased the opportunities for you to use your new retreat. Exterior lighting looks great in all seasons, including the winter. Remember, the design of these areas in your yard do not need to be elaborate or expensive. It just needs to work for you, so that you can enter the space every day, take a few deep breaths and be renewed. As they say, take time to smell the roses. Study the heart of the rose to gain insight into the natural world. Plants connect us to the past, ground us in the present, and give us hope for the future. We hope you’ll enjoy your fabulous new Meditation Garden!

The winter months can be such a festive time to transform your outdoor container gardens. In October and November, it's time to make the switch from flowering plants and tropicals to cut boughs arrangements. We asked our in-house professional florist for tips and tricks on how to create gorgeous winter containers to extend your season and welcome guests to your home. First, let's talk about your options to get materials: Some people prefer to contract with local landscapers for help. This is a great option but be sure to place your order early. The waiting lists are long and understand that you'll pay a premium for that convenience. Finding professional grade materials is another hassle. Some hobby and grocery stores carry limited selections, but you wind up driving all over to buy enough material to create an effective container, overfilled to create a generous, full visual effect. We've been there! Or you can push the "easy button" and order our Winter Greenery Kits of professional florist grade winter boughs that come direct to your door. Step by Step Instructions for Winter Container Gardens For existing containers, top off with dirt as needed. For new, please place your containers exactly where you want them before you start. Take your time and get it right, as they are heavy when full. Fill new containers with dirt to the top once they are in position.  Grab garden gloves, an old sheet or tarp, a crafty friend, and a happy, relaxed attitude. Before you get started, take a nice, deep breath. You gave yourself an opportunity to have a cool experience today. This is a process. Making garden containers takes a while. There is no such thing as perfection. Ok, now that you are in a "good place", put on your gloves, open the box and take a nice deep breath. Mmm, we love the smell of mixed evergreen, don't you? First, take everything out of the box. Separate the materials into piles on your tarp or old sheet. Sort the evergreens into piles by type and by size. Step 1 Select the tallest, fullest bough and push it firmly into the dirt in your container. If you'll see the container from all angles, place the bough in the center. If you'll only see one side of the container, place the bough near the back and keep the "showiest" side facing out. Step 2 If you need to trim the lowest branches, cut at a 45-degree angle close to the main stem. Save all the little clippings to use later. Step 3 Add smaller boughs around the first bough. If you'll see the container from all angles, be sure to place boughs all around the largest bough. If you'll only see one side of the container, place these boughs in front of and to the sides of the largest bough. Step 4 Select smaller material to fill in the front. Use the best looking material in the front facing your guests. Step 5 Continue to fill and bundle several smaller boughs together if needed. Use your saved trimmings to fill in bare spots. Step 6 Tuck flat, small branchlets in under the other boughs as edging all around the pot. This is a pro tip that polishes and softens the look. Step 7 Add your focal point in place. It's best to bundle these together before you push them into the dirt. Step 8 Spread out the berry clusters and place them throughout the arrangement at high, medium and low points. You can wire them to the upper branches, and even use hot glue to hold in place if needed. Caring for Your Winter Container Gardens Spray the branches liberally with Wilt-pruf, an anti-dessicant starch spray. Plan to reapply as often as the directions say. If you live in a frost zone, fill the container with water. The water will freeze and keep the materials intact. It's fun to mix these up throughout the season. Try evergreen or holly branches, cut red twig dogwood stems, crabapple branches, viburnums berries, or dried Hydrangea flowers in winter pots. Get wild! Decorate them with silver accents for New Year’s or add your team colors for the Superbowl. You’ll be so pleased to make them your own. Enjoy these long lasting containers. Good job!  Shop for DoorScapes professional container garden materials

Want to know a secret? The key to attracting butterflies, beneficial insects and pollinators is to grow plants that flower. Now, you can certainly refine your approach to this, but planting flowering plants is the first step. Bees, birds, butterflies and beneficial insects love blooming plants as much as you do! These animals play an incredibly key role in the ecosystem. Declining populations from industrial agriculture and pesticides are wreaking havoc on our fruit, flower and food crops. At Nature Hills, we have expanded our plant palate to include many more natives and plants for your yard. You’ll be amazed at the many options to attract these important and beautiful creatures to your yard. Get Started Building a Butterfly Garden Flowering plants for butterflies can be added to gardens of any size. Container gardens can be filled with a variety of small flowering trees and shrubs, perennials and annuals. Include flower gardens as part of your manicured front yard landscapes – you’ll love the look! Next, remember that butterflies will need things blooming in your yard over all the seasons from early spring, late spring, summer, late summer, fall and late fall. Planning for an extended season of blooms supplies bees and butterflies with a constant supply of pollen and nectar.  Choose a diversity of plants of different types, such as shrubs, trees, perennials and vines. Create layers of bloom in your habitat and use some evergreen plants for year-round cover. Search the Nature Hills website site using the seasonal filters to see spring, summer and fall blooming plants that work in your growing zone. Shop Perennial Types Why Include Native Plants? It is very important to include some natives in your plan of succession of bloom. That’s because native plants attract beneficial insects to your yard, which help keep problem insects at bay without having to use pesticides.  Native plants are plants that are indigenous to a particular area but may be adaptable to a larger region. Eastern Redbud is “native” to the Eastern half of the United States. However, because it is widely adaptable, it also works beautifully in Oklahoma, Oregon and Ohio. Of course, sometimes plants perform a little “too well” in other regions. That’s why Nature Hills complies with all state and local regulations for invasive plants. Learn more about Plant Sentry from Nature Hills How Horticulturalists Work to Improve Native Plants Horticulturists and plant science people work with native plants to improve them. For example, Lavender Twist Redbud tree displays a unique weeping habit. The recently released Scarlet Halo Dogwood tree blooms a deep, dark pink. Plant breeders are always on the hunt for new improvements. Sometimes, plants produce a single “sport” branch that exhibits a different leaf color, flower color, plant form, or even a variegation. These sports can be propagated and grown as a new selection of the plant that it came from. Many fruit varieties have developed from sport branches or seedlings. Another way plant breeders create new introductions of plants is to take two plants of the same genus that display different characteristics. Next, they cross pollinate the two, and then plant out the seed from those plants. The result of cross pollination can result in some interesting selections. These crossed seedlings show plants with some of each of the characteristics, or a mix, or maybe even something completely different. New selections of plants are called cultivars (cultivated varieties). Selections from plants that are native in your area are sometimes referred to as “nativars” (cultivars of native plants). Although the new plant is not native, it was selected to be an improvement over the native plant.  Improved selections are propagated by the growers to ensure you’ll get a plant with those wonderful, carefully selected and tested characteristics. Those plant improvements, such as larger, longer lasting blooms, help support the unique needs of the local butterflies living in your area. Serious About Helping Butterflies? Start Doing Research Specific butterfly species have evolved to live or migrate through your area. Start studying which native butterflies and moths float nearby your landscape. It would be nice if there was a “one size fits all” Butterfly Garden design. We could tell you to plant tough prairie perennials like Black-Eyed Susans and Coneflowers. Include flowering shrubs like Butterfly Bush, Viburnum and Weigela and bing, bang, boom – you’re done. But that would only tell you a few pages out of the whole story. Those tough prairie perennials may not work in your area. West Coast homeowners in California can plant Manzanita shrubs. Southern gardeners can grow Citrus trees and develop good “integrated pest management” practices to encourage beneficial insects, which control harmful pest populations. Read on to gain a high level understanding of butterflies. What do they eat and drink? Where do they feel safe? Next, Start Thinking Like A Butterfly Imagine you are landing a gossamer-thin helicopter. What kind of flower would you prefer to land on? Butterflies really like simple, flat blossoms that face upwards. They make an easy landing pad. Yarrow and Coneflowers are great examples of this flat flower type. Buddleia, Phlox and Lantana produce clusters of flat topped flowers, which makes them a very attractive floral fast food. These plants are absolutely covered with butterflies every summer. Group plants together to create a nectar buffet. We recommend planting in curved drifts or gentle zig-zags. It looks great, and butterflies can see a mass of similar flowers better with their compound eyes. Butterflies love fragrant red, orange, yellow, purple and pink flowers. Nectar-rich selections include improved varieties of Amsonia, Asclepias, Aster, Buddleia, Coneflower, Coreopsis, Daisy, Gayfeather, Lantana, Lobelia, Monarda, Penstemon, Potentilla, Sage, Salvia, Sedum, Thrift and Thyme, among others. Shop Butterfly Bushes  Give your garden protection from the prevailing winds with well-sited trees and tall shrubs. With their delicate wings, butterflies prefer sheltered yards in which to live, sleep, feed and lay eggs. Those same large plants also provide overnight shelter for butterflies.  It’s best to plan your Butterfly Garden in either full sun or in an area with morning sun. Butterflies are cold-blooded and need to start their day by warming their cute little bodies in the sun. If you can, add a large flat rock to your garden bed for their convenience. Create a shallow Butterfly watering hole, which looks different than what you expect. They would rather not drink from deep bird baths, which can be rather a risky business for butterflies. Instead, create a muddy little “Puddling Station”. Fill a shallow saucer with a dirt, sand and then add water. Be sure to place in a sheltered area and check it frequently. If you can visit zoos with Butterfly Pavilions, ask lots of questions about butterfly care. In those facilities, you’ll see shallow dishes with rotting fruit placed in water among the flowers. Butterflies such as Monarchs, Painted Ladies, Mourning Cloaks and Admirals just love rotting fruit like brown bananas, watermelon, oranges and strawberries. Place the fruit out in the morning and pick it up at night so you won’t get too many mammal critters sniffing around. There are a lot of ideas out there – try skewering watermelon slices on a stick and placing them in the flower bed. This is a wonderful idea to spark the curiosity and interest of children of all ages. Teachers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and parents can create teachable moments when you take the time to share nature with children in this fun, hands-on way. Consider Including Host Plants for Caterpillars It’s important to look at the entire life cycle of the butterfly. Remember learning about metamorphosis in grade school? Butterflies prefer certain “host” plants to lay their eggs, which then emerge as hungry caterpillars. The caterpillars eat the host plant, develop cocoons and finally emerge into gorgeous flying creatures. Welcome to the miraculous cycle of life, rainbows, sunshine and lollipops for everyone! Here's the issue.... What are some of those host plants where butterflies lay their eggs and that baby caterpillars munch on? Stinging nettles, common milkweed, wild parsley, dill and other weedy, unkempt, shaggy plants which spread like wildfire. There may be some ornamental options that will work for your local area. Look for improved varieities of milkweed. Spicebush Swallowtails choose the attractive Spicebush as a host plant. These host plants are best suited for "naturalized" plantings. Is there an untended area in your backyard or side yard? Consider planting critical caterpillar food host plants behind the garage or shed or over by the wood pile.  Please call your local agriculture extension before you do that. You do not want to order weedy plants online from vendors who may not follow all state and local regulations. You don’t want to risk unleashing terrible pests or invasive plants in your yard and community.   Find your local agriculture extension office  Protect Butterflies From Pesticides By Encouraging Beneficial Insects Finally, you'll want to strive to maintain a balance in your landscape. The days of mindlessly reaching for a can of insecticide or pesticide to take care of problem bugs are over. Let’s look at some more eco-friendly options to control insects and disease that are very effective.  For those occasions that you have insect problems, consider physically removing the problem bug. Try using an insecticidal soap, followed by a high pressure water rinse as your first option.  For those cases where you may need to consider using pesticides, be sure to follow the label instructions for the plants they can be used on, and for the insects that they can treat. Look for formulas that include plant-based chemicals.  Then consider timing. Use treatments when the plants are not in flower, so you don’t harm any wildlife attracted to the bloom.  You can see why it is important to include some plants native to your area to attract the beneficial insects – like the lovely ladybug – to your garden. Helpful insects can help ward off problems with a more natural approach.  Healthier Pest Management Introduce beneficial insects and encourage them to stay Wash pests away with insecticidal soap and high pressure water  Use biodegradable plant-based sprays as a backup plan Only spray plants that aren’t blooming Follow all directions to the letter Attracting beneficial insects to your yard is smart. Limiting pesticide use is smart. And keeping harmony in the garden with a constant supply of food for your bees, butterflies, and beneficials should be your goal.  Love butterflies? Start small or go all out to create a complete habitat. You’ll love this fun rewarding new hobby. Want more advice? Call our Plant Experts at 888-864-7663