05/28/2026
Native plants aren’t just pretty.
They’re part of the local food web.
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
👉Four-leafed milkweed is native and supports pollinators, including being a host plant for the monarch butterfly 🧡
👎Tropical milkweed is a bigger problem in zones that don’t have a harsh winter, but still maybe not the best choice for Ohio monarchs.
👉Firepink is a native plant with nectar value, especially for hummingbirds and some pollinators
👎Red Geraniums our lovely porch, Classics, but they’re more ornamental color than food web support. Firepink’s main pollinator is often the ruby-throated hummingbird❤️❤️❤️
👉Wild Lupine: is the important native species tied to specialist butterfly habitat - The federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly and other native insects strictly depend on Wild Lupine foliage to feed their caterpillars.
👎Large-leafed lupine ⚠️ HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT‼️‼️‼️⚠️
❗️Because Large-leaved Lupine is chemically different, its foliage is poisonous to these caterpillars. Female butterflies often mistake it for native lupine and lay eggs on it, which leads to starvation or poisoning.
❗️Large-leaved Lupine can easily cross-pollinate with native Wild Lupine. The resulting hybrid plants lose their ability to support Karner Blue larvae, permanently ruining the habitat.😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱
👉Showy Skullcap gives blue – purple Woodland blooms for native bees
👎Vinca/periwinkle is mostly ground cover filler and can be aggressive
🦋🦋🦋 Not all flowers are equal for wildlife. Some are beautiful decorations, and some are working members of the ecosystem. This series isn’t about shaming anyone’s flowers. It’s about showing simple swaps and additions that help our local pollinators. Keep what you love and plant more of what loves them back🦋💜🦋💜🦋💜
