Happy Pollinator Week

Amanda's Garden Newsletter

Happy Pollinator Week - 18-24, 2012

In This Issue

Water Avens

2012 Workshops

Planting The Right Plants

Pollinator Gardening

Water Avens

Water or Purple Avens is an excellent ground cover. The leaves are deep green, coarsely serrated and deeply textured. The leaves are evergreen, maintaining a rather nice color through the winter. Water Avens normally grow near brooks or steams but can live in any soil high in organic matter.

2012 Workshops

June 22, 2012
Amanda's Garden Workshop

Wildlife Gardens and

Pollinator Gardens

Friday, June 22, 2012 at 10:00am
Hands on workshop at Amanda's Garden to learn to design gardens with wildlife and pollinators in mind
Registration required - (585)750-6288 or e-mail: amandasgarden@frontiernet.net

July 28, 2012
Amanda's Garden Workshop
Spring Native Wildflower Propagation
Saturday July 28, 2012 at 10:00am Fee: $15.00 to cover materials
Hands on workshop at Amanda's Garden to learn to propagate spring wildflowers. Registration required - (585)750-6288 or e-mail: amandasgarden@frontiernet.net

Greetings!

It been a very warm spring and plants seem to be flowering 1 to 2 weeks earlier than past years. Planting for pollinators is a wonderful idea. These hardworking animals help to produce our food and keep our ecosystem healthy.

Planting The Right Plants

Woodland Phlox

People generally plant what is familiar to them; what they know will grow in the area they want to plant. Sometimes it is what was planted in the family plot when they were children that people will add to their garden.

Often there are native plants that will fit the bill but people are unfamiliar with them or don't know which plants will work. I recently came across a wonderful publication by the Virginia Native Society,

Alternatives to English Ivy.

It's packed full of wonderful information to help you figure out which native plants will work as substitutes for invasive English Ivy.

This information is from:
Virginia Native Plant Society
Potowmack Chapter
P.O Box 5311 Arlington, VA 22205
See: www.vnps.org

Pollinator Gardening

Pollinator Garden

Using plants to attract pollinators not only increases the amount of fruits and vegetables your garden will yield because of better pollination, but planting the right plants can also attract beneficial insects that help with pest problems. Joe Pye Weed and Canada Anemone both will attract beneficial insects that feed on white fly, aphids and other pests.

Here is a list of pollinator plants to get you started:

Pollinator Plant list

Plant something pollinator-friendly this week. Pollinators, such as native bees, are important, we need them to help grow our food. These insects pollinate everything from cherry trees to pumpkins. Native pants provide excellent sources of pollen and nectar for these insects. If you have any questions, want to place an order or just want to share an idea or a story, don't hesitate to call us at (585) 750-6288 or send an e-mail to amandasgarden@frontiernet.net. Thanks for planting native plants.

Sincerely,

Ellen Folts, Owner
Amanda's Garden

You can phone in, mail, or email your order. Please check our website for availability, pricing, and to see the catalog.