We love Mexican hat coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) for its colorful, sombrero-like flowers, drought tolerance and long bloom time.

Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) is a shrubby plant with red summer flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum) is a summer-flowering plant that attracts butterflies and birds.

I was pushing my daughter in her stroller the other day and we spotted a very busy bumblebee, a beautiful butterfly and—most exciting—a hummingbird. All of these winged creatures do important work for the plants …

It seems I have a hornet nest within my garage walls. That wouldn’t be so bad, except the entrance is right next to the hose spigot.
That’s right, it’s an accident waiting to happen.