Beat the Winter Blues: Plan Your Spring Landscape Now!

Well, here we are—another snow day.   Winter can be exhausting!

But here’s the good news: spring is coming. And while the world outside might be frozen this week, now is actually the perfect time to use those indoor days to start planning your dream landscape.

By designing your landscape now, you’ll be ready to welcome warmer days by planting a yard full of vibrant native trees shrubs and perennials that attract birds and butterflies.

Want to do something truly beneficial for the environment? Consider planting species that support our native butterflies and moths. According to the research of entomologist Doug Tallamy, these plant groups are among the best at sustaining caterpillars—the foundation of the food web.

Our 3 Favorite Genera for Supporting Lepidoptera:

Oaks (Quercus) – The ultimate butterfly and moth host, supporting over 500 species of caterpillars!  White Oaks are one of our favorite canopy trees. 

Cherries & Plums (Prunus) –  Prunus serotina is an awesome Black Cherry that a supports for over 400 species of Lepidoptera. 

Birches (Betula) – Beautiful and ecologically valuable, hosting 300+ species.  Betula nigra River Birch is an awesome species in the landscape

Our 3 Favorite Shrub Genera for Supporting Lepidoptera:

Blueberries  (Vaccinium) – Not just delicious for us—these support over 290 species of butterflies and moths and have vibrant fall color as the leaves turn orange and red.
Dogwoods (Cornus) – A stunning addition to any landscape, benefiting over 115 species.
Spicebush (Lindera) – The preferred host for the beautiful spicebush swallowtail butterfly and 9 species of native moths and butterflies.

Our 5 Perennial Genera for Supporting Lepidoptera…Too many perennials to limit it to 3.

Goldenrods (Solidago) – The gold standard for pollinators, supporting 125+ species of caterpillars.  Our favorite selections inclued Solidago spacelata 'Golden Fleece' which is a beautiful groundcover variety. 

Asters (Symphyotrichum) – Late-season nectar sources that host over 100 species. Beautiful light blue flowers cover ‘Bluebird’ Smooth Aster, as well as the shorter ‘Wood’s Light Blue’ varieties

Sunflowers (Helianthus) – Not just for seeds—these support 75+ species.  Woodland sunflowers are a gorgeous option for the forest edge where they have room to spread. 

Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium) – A favorite of butterflies and essential for 40+ species. E. coelestinum has bright light blue flowers that light up the late-season landscape. 

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) – A bright and beautiful host for 20+ species.  These perennials do well during the heat and dry conditions of summer.

So, while we’re all still bundled up and battling snow piles, let’s take a break and dream about sunshine, fresh blooms, and a landscape filled with butterflies and birds. Planning now means your yard will be ready to welcome spring in full bloom—and full of life!

Let’s create something amazing together!