Posts Tagged "pollinators"

Queen Anne’s Lace: Why the Purple?

Posted by on Oct 1, 2020 in flowers, summer, Unmowed Blog | 1 comment

Queen Anne’s Lace: Why the Purple?

What is the purpose of the purple flower in the center of Queen Anne’s lace? The answer is: no one knows. Maybe it’s a target for pollinators.

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Why Bug Zappers Are a Terrible Idea

Posted by on Aug 11, 2020 in Unmowed Blog | 0 comments

Why Bug Zappers Are a Terrible Idea

In a world filled with terrible ideas, bug zappers are among the worst. Because they zap the wrong bugs. They don’t work on mosquitoes. They attract things that are attracted to light, like moths. They kill insects that are beautiful and harmless and important pollinators and food for birds, and they actually attract more mosquitoes to bite you. Surely the very definition of a terrible idea. Mosquitoes are initially attracted to the weird glowing ultraviolet light, but then, as they’re drawn closer to your patio, the irresistible (to a mosquito) smell of human breath lures them away....

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Purple Coneflower: Pollinator Favorite

Posted by on Oct 17, 2016 in fall, pollinators, Unmowed Blog | 0 comments

Purple Coneflower: Pollinator Favorite

Purple coneflower is a native American plant, a blast of purple petals surrounding a spiky central cone. Echinacea comes from a Greek word meaning hedgehog.

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Red, White, and Blue

Posted by on Jul 4, 2015 in adaptations, flowers, holiday, insects, summer, Unmowed Blog | 0 comments

Red, White, and Blue

The amazing diversity of flowers. Each bright color attracts a pollinator. Red beckons hummingbirds; yellow calls out to honey bees. Bumblebees prefer purple. Each blossom has instructions for the bees, flies, and beetles: lines and arrows and streaks to guide them to the heart of the flower where the nectar is hidden. Diversity is strength.

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