Summary

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator and native plant gardens. It can grow in a variety of sunny to mostly sunny conditions and will provide instant gratification in the form of bright yellow flowers the first year. Those flowers will benefit a wide variety of butterflies, bees, flower flies, and seed-eating insects.

3 things you’ll learn from this episode:

• The biology and life history of black-eyed Susan, including how pollinators and wildlife use it.
• How to incorporate it into your garden.
• What to watch out for when purchasing black-eyed Susan.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:

• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she’s learned, and exciting discoveries she’s made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinator and wildlife habitat.

Today’s guest

Paula Whyman is an avid nature enthusiast and the author of the book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop.

3 things you’ll learn from this episode:

• How Paula and her husband have approached the task of restoring and maintaining a mountaintop remnant prairie or meadow.
• Some of the challenges and opportunities associated large-scale private restoration work.
• The importance of patience and accepting that ecological restoration is an ongoing process without a definite endpoint.

Resources Paula mentioned:

• Paula’s website
• Bad Naturalist’s Newsletter
• Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop*
• Digital endoscope for monitoring nestboxes*

* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources

• Backyard Ecology™ Community
• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds to gardens in the eastern U.S.

3 things you’ll learn from this episode

• The surprising truth about a hummingbird’s diet.
• The best way to attract and support hummingbirds to your property.
• 10 of my favorite native plants to grow for hummingbirds in eastern U.S. gardens.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources

• Hummingbirds Can't Resist These Native Vines!
• Want More Hummingbirds? You NEED Eastern Columbine
• Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden
• Discover Red, White, and Blue Lobelias For Pollinators!
• Native Jewelweed - 10 Reasons to Grow this Annual!
• Hummingbird Feeding: The Ultimate Guide!
• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.