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Hello Great Gardener,
June is #polliNation month. Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. Without the actions of pollinators agricultural economies, our food supply, and surrounding landscapes would collapse.
Plants attract insect pollinators with lovely colorful displays, special smells, and gifts of nectar or extra pollen that makes a sweet snack.
You to can help pollinators by turning your garden into a pollinator habitat. Stop by the store to check out our selection of Native plants along with other show stoppers.
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As always, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, hit reply. I would love to hear from you. Have a great-gardening day.
Sincerely,
Holly
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What You Can Do To Help Pollinators
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Important pollinators, such as honey bees, bumble bees and monarch butterflies, have gained attention in recent years due to concerns about declining populations. This Quick Guide describes steps gardeners and others can take to help protect pollinators.
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Key animal pollinators in Ohio include honey bees, native bees, flies, butterflies, moths and other insects, as well as hummingbirds. Pollinators are vital to the production of many food crops and provide a service essential to the survival of many native plants. Bees are considered the most important pollinators because they are uniquely adapted to gather and transport pollen. Ohio is home to about 500 species of bees.
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Threats To Pollinators:
Pollinators are facing many threats, such as lack of flowers for food (forage) and suitable nesting and overwintering sites. Other threats include viral and fungal pathogens, pesticides, invasive plants, pests such as the varroa mite (specific to honey bees), and climate change.
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- Grow more flowers, particularly those that are preferred by pollinators. Some hybrids and modern cultivars are not visited by pollinators or don't provide enough or the right kind of pollen and nectar. Observe plants and include more pollinator favorites, including Ohio native plants.
- Select flowers with a variety of colors, shapes and sizes to attract many different pollinators.
- Group plants together in clumps to help pollinators find their food.
- To provide a consistent source of nectar and pollen for an assortment of pollinator species, select a sequence of plants that bloom from early spring through fall.
- Pollinators and the plants they visit usually thrive in full sun. Shade gardeners can plant Redbud, Spicebush, Hosta or Jewelweed to attract pollinators.
- Many plants frequently considered weeds provide important food for pollinators, including dandelions, milkweed, goldenrod and clover. Consider tolerating these weeds.
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Habitat Tips:
- Brush piles, dead standing trees, bare soil and clumping grasses all provide important nesting and overwintering habitat for bees and butterflies.
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- Provide a water source, such as a shallow dish or a birdbath filled with stones or sticks, to allow visitors to land without drowning.
- In gardens and conservation areas, avoid the use of pesticides on plants visited by pollinators, including flowering plants and caterpillar host plants. Use an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to reduce pest pressure.
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Key Plants For Pollinators:
Trees: Maple, Crabapple, Linden, Serviceberry & Willow
Shrubs: Hydrangea, Ninebark, Pussy Willow, Sumac, Viburnum
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Perennials: Aster, Bee Balm, Hyssop, Milkweed, Purple Coneflower
Annuals: Cosmos, Lantana, Marigold, Sunflower & Zinnia
Herbs: Basil, Borage, Catmint, Lavender & Oregano
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These bright yellow aphids can be found congregating on the stems of milkweed plants. Small groups may not do much harm, but a big enough infestation can weaken the plant over time.
It is important if found on your milkweed, not to use Pesticides, including Insecticidal soap or dish soap as this will kill any monarch eggs or caterpillars on the plant.
Best control for an infestation:
1) Remove By Hand: Use gloves and remove them by hand. Toss into a bucket with soapy water or squish them. May have to do this every week if they come back.
2) Isopropyl Alcohol: According to researchers Isopropyl alcohol applied directly onto the Aphids, with a Q-tip, will kill them. Becareful though as you do not want to get the Isopropyl Alcohol onto the plant or any present Monarch eggs or Caterpillars.
3) Water: A steady stream of water will knock off the aphids, where they can then be easily squished. Do not use this method if you have butterfly eggs, as they will be washed off as well.
4) Prune: If infestation is too heavy prune out the worst stems and dispose of in the garbage.
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Butterfly Weed
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly weed produces bright orange, flat-topped flower clusters in early June. Flowering goes on for many weeks. Green pods full of seeds with silky white hairs follow the flowers. This is an essential plant if you want to attract a variety of butterflies to your property, especially Monarchs.
* Host and nectar plant for Monarch butterflies
* Great nectar source for many other butterflies
* Thrives in sun in average to dry soil
* Deer Resistant
* Drought tolerant once established
Grows:
18-30 Inches Tall
12-24 Inches Wide
Great in borders, containers and prairieland gardens. Perennial In Ohio.
In stock!
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Meet Our Staff - Harry Wilson
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I am the son of Carl and Helen Wilson, the founders of Wilson’s Hillview Farm (also known as Wilson’s Garden Center). I was born and raised in a home where the nursery area currently stands.
I have a small vegetable garden, and I grow a few annuals and perennials also. I love daffodils as a sign of spring, and my favorite colors in the garden are yellow and orange. When I am not in the garden, you will find me following my favorite team, The Cleveland Indians. I am an avid Cleveland Indians Baseball fan! Once in a while I also enjoy telling a good joke or two!
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Inventory Reduction Sale
20% Off
Trees, Shrubs, Fruit Trees, Roses & Small Fruits
Does Not Include: Boxwoods, Bowling Ball Arborvitae, Hydrangeas, Perennials, Herbs, Houseplants (i.e. Citrus, Foliage, Cactus, Succulents, Tropicals), Annuals, and Vegetables
Limited Time Only!
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'Miss Saori' Hydrangea
A stunning show stopper with fully double white blooms liberally frosted with a soft rosy-pink edging. Large, dark green leaves turn burgundy in spring and fall and offer stunning contrast with the large bloom clusters.
Prefers Morning Sun/ Afternoon Shade
Grows:
3-4 Feet Tall
3-4 Feet Wide
Cost:
3 gallon $44.99
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Little Sprouts:
Paint A Garden Gnome
Sunday, June 10th
Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
Cost: $12 + tax per child
Click Here To Register
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Hula Hoop Contest
(Kids & Adults)
Sunday, June 10th
Time: Noon
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Family Butterfly Release
Saturday, July 21st
Time: 1:00 pm
Cost: $10.00 per person
Click Here To Register
Must Register & Pay By June 15th In Order To Participate.
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