May 1, 20265 min
Common Milkweed: The Monarch's Lifeline
Asclepias syriaca
The single most important native plant for monarch butterflies in the Hudson Valley — and the cornerstone of our free giveaway.
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Native Pollinator Plants of the Hudson Valley
A growing guide to the milkweeds, asters, goldenrods and other native plants that feed monarchs, bees, hummingbirds and beneficial insects across Orange County and the wider tri-state region.
Apr 22, 20264 min
Swamp Milkweed: Beauty for Wet Spots
Asclepias incarnata
The most garden-friendly milkweed — clump-forming, vibrant pink, and perfect for rain gardens and damp Hudson Valley yards.
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Apr 12, 20264 min
Butterfly Weed: Orange Fire for Dry Yards
Asclepias tuberosa
A drought-tolerant native milkweed with electric orange blooms — perfect for sandy soil and sunny slopes.
Read field guideApr 4, 20264 min
Purple Coneflower: A Pollinator Magnet
Echinacea purpurea
One of the longest-blooming, most reliable native perennials for bees, butterflies, and goldfinches.
Read field guideMar 28, 20263 min
Black-Eyed Susan: New York's Workhorse
Rudbeckia hirta / fulgida
Tough, cheerful, and absolutely beloved by native bees — the easiest native to start with.
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Mar 20, 20264 min
Wild Bergamot: Hummingbird and Bumblebee Heaven
Monarda fistulosa
Lavender flower clusters that buzz with bumblebees by day and feed hummingbird moths at dusk.
Read field guideMar 12, 20264 min
New England Aster: The Last Meal of the Season
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Late-season purple blooms that fuel migrating monarchs all the way to Mexico.
Read field guideMar 4, 20265 min
Goldenrod: The Most Important Fall Pollinator Plant (And No, It Doesn't Cause Allergies)
Solidago spp.
Over 100 native bee species depend on goldenrod. The ragweed next to it gets blamed unfairly.
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