Resources
Below are links to helpful sites related to pollinators and pollinator plants.
Michigan State University - Michigan Pollinator Initiative [direct link to the Pollinator Planting Resources Page]
University of Michigan Herbarium Plant Search [Michigan Flora - definitive source for establishing "native status" of plants found in Michigan]
Illinois Wildflowers [one of my two favorite native plant information sources, includes many Michigan native species, outstanding online resource]
North Carolina State University Extension - Plant Toolbox [my other "go-to" native plant info site, combine with info found in Illinois Wildflowers for a very complete understanding of most MI natives]
Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) [don't be thrown off by the name, excellent resource for scientific detail on America's trees and shrubs and some forbs as well]
Pollinator Garden Reference Books
100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive $18.00
The first step toward protecting our pollinators is providing the flowers they need. This field guide describes 100 plants honeybees and native bees – as well as butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds – find most nutritious. Packed with range, growth habit and culture information, this book is a very helpful aid in selecting plants for your pollinator garden.
100 Plants to Feed the Monarch: Create a Healthy Habitat to Sustain North America’s Most Beloved Butterfly $18.00
This highly visual, at-a-glance guide shows how you can help restore habitat by planting the native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that Monarchs depend upon for their survival. Thirty-one milkweed varieties among dozens of other nectar flowers are described. An invaluable resource for anyone who wants to make a positive contribution to the survival of the iconic Monarch and other butterflies
Gardening for Butterflies: How you Can Attract and Protect Beautiful Beneficial Insects $27.00
This very comprehensive resource introduces you to a variety of butterflies who need our help, and provides suggestions for native plants to attract them, habitat designs to help them thrive, and garden practices to accommodate all their life-stages. Join the effort to conserve butterflies and moths and learn proven strategies to welcome these extraordinary guests to your yard.
The Midwest Native Plant Primer: 225 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden $27.00
Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment. With proven advice ever home gardener can follow, this excellent sourcebook goes well beyond perennial wildflowers with descriptions of scores of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, ferns, grasses, and vines native to the Midwest that provide benefits to pollinators and other wildlife.
Deerproofing Your Yard & Garden (Revised/Updated 2nd Ed.) $16.00
Dealing with unwanted deer is frustrating and challenging for even the most patient of gardeners and homeowners. In this completely updated and revised version, the author shares the latest research on deer behavior and food preferences, as well as her hands-on experience in successfully combatting deer. From choosing the best fence, to using deterrents, and selecting the most deer-detested plants, this book helps you pull the welcome mat out from under backyard and garden invading deer.
Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies (Upper Midwest) $27.00
Provides the information you need to landscape and create pollinator gardens using plants native to Michigan and surrounding states. Native pollinators and birds are introduced followed by descriptions of 109 easy to care for and widely available native plants of benefit to birds, bees, and butterflies. Species descriptions are organized by sunlight required and include stunning full-color photographs, information on plant characteristics, hardiness zones, bloom period and growing conditions. Also includes bloom charts, larval host lists, tips on attracting specific pollinator species, garden plans and projects that may be customized to suit your own specific interests.
Backyard Fruit Production (9th Revised Edition) $17.00
This beautifully illustrated, easily readable, and comprehensive resource provides practical guidance taking the home orchardist step-by-step from planting to harvesting. Covers orchard and fruiting plant site selection and planning, plant selection, planting, mulching, fertilizing, pollination, training, pruning. Also includes basic, organic, and advanced spray guidelines for disease and pest management. The best guide of its kind we have used. Now available in its 9th revised edition straight from the author, a respected and experienced wholesale fruit tree and plant wholesale grower.
Wild Berries & Fruits of Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan $16.00
Describing nearly 200 species organized by berry and fruit color and form, this field guide will equip you to forage confidently. Includes full-page photos and insets showing key identification points, range maps, and ripening calendar to help you determine what is edible and what to avoid, as well as additional information about the plants’ many uses. Excellent companion book to Cooking with Wild Berries & Fruits of Minnesota, Wisconsin an Michigan by the same author.
Cooking with Wild Berries & Fruits of Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan $14.00
Features more than 150 tried and true recipes featuring 40 of the region’s most delectable edible plants. This cookbook helps you make the most of the wild harvest available in nature and maybe even your own backyard. Includes recipes for sauces, baked goods, desserts, jellies, jams, and drinks, and more as well as tips on harvesting, freezing, dehydrating and canning. Each recipe also includes cross-references to the companion field guide Wild Berries & Fruits of Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan.
Common Backyard Weeds $16.00
Perfect for beginners and useful for more experience gardeners as well, this field guide features hundreds of full-color photographs with easy-to-understand text making this a valuable aid to identifying common backyard weeds. Learn about more than 150 species of edible, toxic, or otherwise interesting weeds found in the Upper Midwest, including Michigan. Weed species are organized by type, then by flower color, so you can identify them by their visual characteristics. Plus, you will learn how each weed spreads, how to control it, and its possible beneficial uses.
Prices include sales tax.
