1 Larkspur
DELPHINIUM SPP., ZONES 3 TO 7
Although it’s a bit picky, larkspur is well worth the effort when spires of blue flowers reach for the sky. Delphiniums require full sun and organic, moist, well-draining soil. Avoid planting it in windy locations, and cut it back around midsummer for a second set of flowers.
Why we love it: Delphinium exaltatum is native in the East and sturdy enough to grow in Zones 4 to 8.
2 Flowering tobacco
NICOTIANA ALATA, ANNUAL
Plant flowering tobacco along sidewalks, next to your deck or patio, or near open windows where you can enjoy the lovely evening fragrance. This adaptable plant reseeds readily and grows best in full sun and rich soils. It also comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
Why we love it: The trumpet-shaped flowers and bold leaves make it a standout in containers and garden beds.
3 Virginia bluebells
MERTENSIA VIRGINICA, ZONES 3 TO 9
Add some blue to those shady spots with this vigorous eastern native. Grow in moist, rich soil and combine with daffodils for a striking spring display. Add hostas and other shade-loving perennials to mask the fading foliage later in the season.
Why we love it: Hummingbirds, bumblebees and other pollinators appreciate this early source of nectar.
4 Wild petunia
RUELLIA HUMILIS, ZONES 4 TO 8
Each blue flower lasts only one day but is quickly replaced, creating a season-long color. It reseeds readily, so grow it where it can weave through and commingle with neighboring plants, or deadhead it to prevent reseeding. Grow this 12-inch-tall plant in full sun or a spot with late-afternoon shade.
Why we love it: It’s deer and rabbit resistant and adaptable to dry and wet soil.
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Sense or Nonsense? - Why some birds can taste and smell - but others can't
Does a porcelain berry taste like a blueberry to a gray catbird? Does a block of lard smell like frying bacon to a northern flicker? The short answer is no. While some avian species do have a well-adapted sense of taste or smell, they can't distinguish between flavors and odors the way humans can. They're not picking up every ingredient in the suet you put out, says José Ramírez-Garofalo, an ornithology researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the director of Freshkills Biological Station in Staten Island, New York.
Maple Mania - Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
Food-Focused and Fierce - Meet Canada jays and learn why they eat almost anything they can find
Even if you haven't heard of Canada jays, you've heard of their relatives. Members of the corvid family, they belong to the same group as American crows, blackbilled magpies, and jays including blue, Steller's and scrub. "Unlike many of the other jays, a Canada jay doesn't have a crest of any kind; it just has a rounded head," says Dale Gentry, director of conservation for Audubon Upper Mississippi River.In 2018, the Canada jay's name was changed from gray jay, but Dale thinks the former adjective was fitting. "Most of its body is shades of gray with some white," he says. "There are different subspecies that have different physical traits, but most of them have some lighter coloring on their foreheads, upper breasts and throats, each with a darker streak that starts at each eye and goes back."
IN GOOD COMPANY
BIRDS OF A FEATHER MAY FLOCK TOGETHER, but what about other collectives of critters-and what do you call them when they do?
YOUR OWN Perfect Prairie
Learn how to cultivate an oasis of grassland flora in your backyard
ON THE MOVE
Birds approach the challenges of migration in surprising ways. Learn about how they walk, swim or take the scenic route during their travels.
Autumn Wonders
Fall colors offer befitting backdrops for these stunning reader photos
Sparrow Look-Alikes
Distinct sounds help separate these similar species
Embracing the Darkness
From black plants to moody decor, Gothic garden elements can offer a unique outlet to express your dark side
Red-Hot Plants
Scarlet-hued berries add a pop of color to any garden
