Page 34 - Discover Fall 2021
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Weeder’s Digest CONTINUED
W eeder ’ s Digest CONTINUED
originate from even this continent, Though these berries are inedible for
never mind our region. Though the us, they are a substantial food source
“aliens” may have been tried and for birds, in addition to providing
tested, and may flourish here, natives us with cuttings for our holiday
can provide advantages in our yards. arrangements. The Serviceberry
To birds, critters and pollinators, (sense a theme here), a large shrub
they offer food and shelter. To or small tree, not only provides a
pollinators, they often serve as host beautiful nectar-rich bloom, but also
plants, on which insects can lay their tasty edible berries for us… if the
eggs. Natives are also more likely to birds don’t beat you to them.
readily adapt to Natives
trying conditions perform a very
that we may important
encounter.
service that
Think of plants we may not
as multi-taskers immediately
in our yards. realize: they may
Bird houses are be host plants for
great for some many pollinators,
birds, but most which in turn
species prefer become food
natural environs, sources for
which provide cover from predators. other species. The many varieties of
Native species tend to colonize their Milkweed, the only species of plant
areas, and are excellent for nesting on which the Monarch Butterfly
and burrowing creatures. Aside can lay its eggs, are critical to their
from comfortable homes, natives proliferation. While birds find their
such as Winterberry, a deciduous caterpillars fairly inedible due to
holly, will provide quality nectar for their toxicity, other species such as
many species of pollinators while the paper wasp will feed their young
in bloom. Specifically in the case with Monarch caterpillars… all part
of Winterberry, when a male cross of the circle of life.
pollinator is present, it will provide Like Milkweed, other natives
a stunning fall display of berries.
are very specific to the species of
32 Discover Smith Mountain Lake FALL 2021
