Category Archives: Attracts pollinators

Sentimentality

Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria), a beautiful flower native to Europe, naturalized in North America.

I tend to want all natives, except the ones that aren’t. The ones that I have a sentimental attachment to. Like the Lavender in this photo. It’s native to the Middle East and India. Oh but it’s a wonderful plant.

The Deptford Pink shows up in random places up here on the mountain. I don’t discourage it. It’s most welcome and the pollinators, like this Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) appreciate it too.

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Buzzing Bushes

Native to the eastern and central United States and Canada, Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is in bloom right now.

As I approach the tall bushes I can hear them as I get near. A very loud buzzing. The creamy white flowers have all sorts of insects collecting pollen.

A few days ago I mentioned these buzzing bushes to a friend who raises Honey Bees, since many of the insects I see are indeed Honey Bees. She asked me if the blooms are fragrant. I hadn’t even noticed but this afternoon I checked it out. Bad news, they do have an aroma but it’s not nice. I looked it up on the Internet to see what other people think and I see others do agree – “musky skunk”, “somewhat musky”, and “considered unpleasant by many people”. I didn’t see any positive description.

Oh well, the buzzing is mighty fascinating!

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