by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member In 2012 the national organization of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, joined forces with Monarch Joint Venture and Monarch Watch to Bring Back the Monarch in an effort to save America’s favorite butterfly, the Monarch. The Bring Back the Monarch program’s goals are to restore 20 milkweed species to […] Continue reading "Monarchs Need Protection: Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones Can Help"
by Mike Weis, KAWO member and owner of Dropseed! Native Gardens One of the most beloved plants for native plant gardeners is Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa). This plant is so popular that even the big box stores carry it—a native with mass appeal. Undoubtedly, those bright orange flowers that attract legions of pollinators are gorgeous […] Continue reading "Tuberosa Spotlight"
By Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member The number of monarchs at the overwintering sites in Mexico was at an all-time low the winter of 2013-2014. While insect populations can vary greatly from year to year, the trend for monarchs is definitely downward since consistent population measurements were started in the winter of 1993-1994. Because it predates […] Continue reading "Reminder of a Failed Campaign"
by Mike Weis, KAWO member and owner of Dropseed! Native Gardens “It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.” That was a common response from dancers when asked on the 20th century television program American Bandstand for their review of a newly released pop hit. It’s an overly simplistic music criticism cliche […] Continue reading "Garden Rhythm"
