If you are of a "certain age", you might have sweet summer memories of fireflies lighting up your nights! Maybe you've noticed that this evening magic has become much less common in the last few decades . . .
Recent research has revealed that "one in three assessed North American fireflies (species) may be at risk of extinction". Reasons for this decline may sound familiar: habitat loss and pesticide use, and for the firefly light pollution plays a significant role in its decline. The good news is that we all can play a part in bringing back fireflies in our landscapes!
It may help to know a little more about their lives: In the fascinating world of fireflies, more is happening below the surface than during the light show they provide above the ground. Fireflies spend 1-2 years in the larval stage underground! They thrive in moist conditions with lots of leaf litter present.
This plant kit has been designed to provide a foundation for establishing habitat underground by creating soil cover and eventual leaf litter, while the beauty above supports pollinators. The grasses in the kit also provide perches for adult fireflies to rest once they get their wings!
You can also help our firefly population soar by pairing this kit with less light pollution which disrupts their lifecycle. To do this, make the switch to motion detector lights and swap traditional white light bulbs for yellow or amber hued LEDs.
Design and Growing Tips:
- Prepare your garden site (follow the link for details as well as information about plant spacing)
- A location with full sun or part shade and a medium moisture level is ideal for this grouping.
- Group plants of the same species more closely together for a more filled in look
- Consider the height of each plant—position taller plants at the back and shorter plants at the front.
- Plant approximately 1 sq. foot apart, with plants of the same species planted closer together for a more filled in look; plot size example: 4' x 4'
- Plants may also be dispersed to fill in existing garden space and expand service to birds.
Kit Contents:
7 varieties, 16 plants in all. Details for each are listed below. Each is pictured to the left on your screen in the order in which they are listed:
Flowers:
2 - Big Leaf Aster (2")
2 - Black-Eyed Susan/Orange Coneflower(2")
2 - Purple Coneflower (2")
2 - Sand Coreopsis (2")
2 - Stiff Goldenrod (2")
Grasses:
3 - Little Bluestem
3 - Switch Grass
Big Leaf Aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Native Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist
Height: 1-3ft
Bloom Time: July-Oct
Bloom Color: White, Blue, Purple
Resistant to: Drought
Attracts: butterflies
Pollinator benefit: Larval Host Plant for Pearl Crescent Butterfly; late season nectar producer for all nectaring insects
Keystone plant for 133 different species!!
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Native Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height: Up to 3'
Bloom Time: June through October
Bloom Color: Yellow to orange
Deer Resistance: High
Attracts: Beneficial to native bees, butterflies, and seeds for birds in fall/winter
Pollinator Benefit: Larval host to Gorgone Checkerspot, Bordered Patch butterfly; good nectar source; special value to native bees
A Powerhouse plant that supports 49 different species!
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Native Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height: 4'
Bloom Time: July, August, September
Bloom Color: Purple
Tolerate: Deer, drought, heat, humidity and poor soil
Attracts: Butterflies, birds, bees
Pollinator benefit: Host plant for the Ottoe Skipper butterfly; great nectar source for bees and butterflies; Xerces Society designates this plant as having special value for native bees.
Sand Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Native Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Moisture: Medium-Dry, Dry
Height: 2 ft
Bloom Time: May, June, July, August
Bloom Color: Yellow
Drought Resistance: High
Attracts: Butterflies and Bees, and a favored seed source for many songbirds
Pollinator Benefit: Good nectar source; valuable for native bees
Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida)
Native Perennial
Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium
Soil Type: Loam, Sand
Height: 3' - 5'
Bloom Time: August - September
Bloom Color: Yellow
Deer Resistance: high
Attracts: Butterflies, native bees, birds
Pollinator Benefit: Late season nectar source; value to native bees for pollen and nesting materials; migrating Monarchs
Keystone plant supporting 177 different species!
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Native Grass
Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Type: Well-drained soil. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based
Height: 2'-4'
Leaf color: green
Fruiting Time: May-August
Fruit: white, greenish yellow seed heads
Resists: Deer, Drought, Rabbits
Attracts: Butterflies (a large variety of skippers); Birds with seeds and nesting material
Pollinator Benefits: Larval Host for Ottoe Skipper, Indian Skipper, Crossline Skipper, Dusted Skipper, Cobweb butterfly, Dixie skipper; nesting materials for native bees
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Perennial Grass
Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist
Soil Type: Dry to moist soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based.
Height: 3'-6'
Leaf Color: Green
Bloom Color: Green, Brown
Fruiting Time: August-November
Fruit: White, greenish yellow seed heads
Deer Resistance: High
Attracts: Butterflies, Birds; Seeds eaten by ground-feeding songbirds and game birds; Provides cover and nesting material.
Pollinator Benefits: Larval Host for Delaware Skipper and Dotted Skipper; nesting materials for non-aggressive native bees