Growing Eden's Natives has benefited from networking with many organizations throughout Connecticut.  This August things started looking more promising for finalizing a location to which I could move the nursery.  Although things always move more slowly than we may prefer...  It seemed that we were making progress.  Taking pictures of local eco-type natives might help me focus on positive thoughts.

 These photos of Sambucus canadensis were taken at Auer Farm in Bloomfield, on August 1st, 2014.  They are a great example of a native edible that can be grown for human consumption as well as wildlife use.  Having a variety of ripeness within the same grouping allows everyone to share the bounty, and prolongs the harvest.    



Westmoor Park in West Hartford has many gardens to admire...   and many use plants that are native to North America.  I also took pictures of these demonstrations of native horticulture as most were mature and beautiful. 

The Hummingbird & Butterfly Garden was developed in 2002 through a Wildlife Habitat Project Grant.  This native vine, Lonicera sempervirens, is a true Hummingbird magnet.  Known as Coral Honeysuckle it serves as host for the caterpillars of Spring Azure butterflies and Snowberry clearwing moths.  After pollination the bright red fruits are sought after by Quail, Purple Finches, Goldfinches, Hermit Thrushes, and American Robins....


Also in the garden, this Pycnanthemum tenuifolium draws attention with hoards of pollinators descending upon the blooms...  from the unusual to the common:   wasps (Bee Wolves are an example) bees (Long-tongued bees for example) flies, beetles, butterflies, skippers and plant bugs all seek nectar from this clumping native mint.

Here, the Narrowleaf Mountain Mint is hosting a Double Banded Scoliid Wasp (Scolia bicincta) & you can just catch a glimpse of the blue underwings.    Note that the slender foliage has a distinct minty smell and can be dried for use in teas.  It is an excellent plant to use if deer are present...  they avoid the minty foliage in most cases.


I have successfully become enamored of native plants in local public areas and am now on a quest to see what other native plant demonstrations I can locate. Photography helps me document relationships between plants and wildlife, and pinpoint locations for possible seed collection.  So far, most native plant advocates and growers gladly give permission for a 10% collection of seed.  One must always leave enough for wildlife habitat usage and species continuation, and in the wild this is most important...  in a garden setting, being able to find mature seeds is a challenge...  Super vigilant gardeners often dead-head flowers rather than leave the seeds for birds and wildlife to consume (or in my case--gather seed for future propagation)