California’s chaparral is a unique ecosystem, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, that is home to a variety of plants that butterflies find irresistible.
Horticulture
Acid Scarification for Hard-Coated Seeds
Acid scarification is a method used to break down the hard outer seed coat of certain types of angiosperms, making it easier for water and air to penetrate to the embryo inside.
How to Germinate Skyblue Lupine Seeds (Lupinus diffusus)
Germinating Lupinus diffusus, Skyblue Lupine or Spreading Lupine, from seeds can be achieved following these steps
Lupine as Butterfly Larval Host Plant
Many species of butterflies use various species of lupines (Lupinus) as host plants for their larvae. It’s important to note that butterfly-host relationships can be specific not only to the genus, but to the species level as well. Also, butterfly species’ distributions can affect which lupine species they interact with. […]
Do Butterfly Gardens Attract Bees?
Yes, a butterfly garden can indeed attract bees, and that’s generally a good thing! Both butterflies and bees are pollinators, which means they play a crucial role in helping plants reproduce. By visiting flowers for their nectar, these insects inadvertently carry pollen from the male parts of a flower to […]
Are Butterflies Bad for My Garden?
Johnny answers the age-old question: Are Butterflies Bad for My Garden?
Top 10 California Native Milkweed
California is home to several milkweed species that are native to the state and play a crucial role in supporting the Monarch Butterfly population. Johnny lists the top ten California native Milkweed species.
How are Native Plants different from “Native-Friendly” Plants?
The terms “native-friendly plants” and “native plants” refer to different categories of plants based on their origin and suitability for a specific region or ecosystem.