Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Identification

baltimore checkerspot butterfly
Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly on marsh milkweed
  • Wingspan: 1 3/4 to 2 3/4 inches
  • Markings: Black with a band of large orange spots along the wing edges and inner bands of white spots
  • Range: Seen in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada, and occasionally as far south as Arkansas and Alabama
  • Habitat: Meadows, bogs and marshes in the northeastern range and open or wooded hillsides in the southwestern range
  • Eggs: Start yellow and turn red
  • Host Plants: Turtlehead, hairy beardtongue, English plantain and false foxglove

To spot a Baltimore checkerspot, look for a black butterfly with a band of large orange spots along the wing edges and inner bands of white spots. Typically, Baltimore checkerspot butterflies are found in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Sometimes they travel as far south as Arkansas and Alabama. Their preferred habitat consists of meadows, bogs and marshes in the northeastern range, and open or wooded hillsides in the southwestern range.

Also important to note is the relative trickiness of finding the butterfly, even within its range. “The striking colors of the little Baltimore checkerspot make it hard to confuse with any other butterfly,” says Birds & Blooms contributor and butterfly expert Jill Staake. “Spotting it might take a bit of luck, though. It can be abundant in some local areas, while completely absent from others nearby.”

baltimore checkerspot
The Baltimore checkerspot has been the official state insect of Maryland since 1973.

Jill notes that in Maryland, where the Baltimore checkerspot is the state butterfly, it’s become so uncommon that the state lists it as rare. Because their habitat is often disappearing in their range, the butterflies have become harder and harder to find.

Learn to identify more kinds of butterflies you might see.

Baltimore Checkerspot Caterpillar and Host Plants

Baltimore,checkerspot,butterfly,caterpillar,eating,penstemon
Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar

Pick out a Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar by making note of its alternating bands of orange and black with rows of branchlike spines. Checkerspot eggs start yellow and turn red.

Find out what a monarch caterpillar looks like.

One way to help checkerspots, Jill says, is to plant their native host plant: white turtlehead. “As [white turtlehead] has become rarer, this species has also started using non-native English plantain, which many people pull as a weed from their garden,” she says.

Jill also explains that something as simple as leaving leaf litter can be beneficial to checkerspots. “This butterfly, which generally only has one brood per year, overwinters as a caterpillar,” she says. “They burrow into leaf litter in groups, hunkering down until the following spring. By preserving leaf litter in your yard, you help protect any overwintering caterpillars.”

About the Expert

Jill Staake‘s lifelong love of nature turned into a career during the years she spent working with native Florida butterflies, caterpillars, and other wildlife at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, Florida. During this time, she helped to maintain 30+ acres of gardens and backwoods, all carefully cultivated to support the more than 20 species of butterflies displayed indoors and out. She now writes for a variety of publications and sites on topics like gardening, birding, and education, among others.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

High Angle View Of Male Mallard Duck With Bread In Beak On Pier
Do not feed bread to mallard ducks; choose cracked corn or bird seed instead.

Of course, we always want to do what is best for the birds. Unfortunately, sometimes what we think is best might actually be hurting them. This tends to be the case with bread and ducks. Bread pretty much offers no nutritional value to ducks, but they will still take an easy handout when available.

Not only is too much bread bad for adults, it can be even worse for ducklings. They need a diet high in protein to grow and bread offers only carbohydrates.

Meet the mallard: the most common duck in the world.

Ask the Experts: Is Bread Safe for Ducks?

bird feeding myths, foods to feed ducks bread

Reader Brittany Hook asks, “Is it OK to give wild birds our leftover whole wheat bread to eat?”

Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say a regular diet of bread products fed to waterfowl can cause serious harm.

“We discourage people from feeding bread to birds, as there are far too many potential risks. With so many other food options, we’d recommend avoiding it. Bread gets moldy quickly, and mold can pose a number of health problems for birds,” they explain.

“If the chunks of bread are too large, they can actually block the digestive tract. Bread doesn’t have much nutritional value as a food source for most of your favorite fliers, so when it’s fed to them on a regular basis, it can cause nutrient insufficiencies. Bread is also more likely to attract raccoons, rats and other unwelcome guests.”

Learn how to identify a wood duck.

Best Foods to Feed Ducks

what to feed ducks
Wild ducks can find plenty of food on their own in nature.

There are plenty of natural food sources in the wild, and ducks do not need our help to survive. But if you still would like to feed ducks, consider options that are better than bread.

  • Cracked Corn – Attract ducks with cracked corn. Sprinkle a few kernels in a dry place under a bird feeder. Look for cracked corn, not whole kernel corn; it’s much easier for smaller birds to eat. You can find this at most bird feeding stores. It’s an affordable and good alternative to bread.
  • Duck Pellets – This is one of the better food options you can offer. Duck feed pellets can be found at many farming stores and online.
  • Bird Seed – Ducks will eat the same types of bird seed that many of your other birds eat. In fact, in my yard, they tend to clean up anything the other birds drop under my feeders.

Remember, there is plenty of natural food around for ducks to eat. But if you want to know what to feed ducks, make sure to choose food that is nutritious and not harmful.

What is that black duck with the white beak?

About the Experts

Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie Weeds

Ground ivy, Glechoma hederacea flowering
Creeping Charlie spreads quickly through lawns and can be difficult to eradicate.

“What kills creeping Charlie? It’s taking over my lawn,” asks Birds & Blooms reader Houston Huling of Harriman, Tennessee.

Gardening expert Melinda Myers says, “Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), also known as ground-ivy, was originally brought to North America as a ground cover for shady areas. This is typically where the plant gets its start before spreading to other areas of the lawn and garden.

As you’ve discovered, this is a difficult weed to control. The best defense is to improve the growing conditions for your lawn grass so it’s able to outcompete the creeping Charlie.

Water and fertilize the lawn properly, increase the soil’s drainage, mow high, and overseed to increase the density, allowing your lawn to crowd out this and other weeds. Removing large populations of this weed by hand is difficult. Any piece of the stem that remains on the soil can start a new plant.

Apply a broadleaf weed killer when the plant is flowering in spring or fall after a hard frost. This can help with management. Do not use these weed killers in flower and vegetable gardens, as they can damage your desirable plants. As always, read and follow label directions carefully whenever using any natural, organic or synthetic chemical in your landscape.”

Get expert tips for identifying common weeds in your yard.

What Does Creeping Charlie Look Like?

Creeping Charlie (glechoma Hederacea)
Creeping Charlie is a common weed with purple flowers.

Melinda says, “It’s easy to identify creeping Charlie by its round, scalloped leaves, which are fragrant when crushed. This shade-tolerant plant with purple spring flowers can quickly take over a lawn or garden bed.”

Next, learn how to get rid of dandelions in your yard.

About the Expert

Melinda Myers is the official garden expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sources

University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

How to Grow Cleome (Spider Flower)

cleome flower
Cleome, also known as spider flower, thrives in the heat of summer.

Scientific name: Cleome spp.
Common name: Spider flower
Zone: Zone 9 t0 11, or grown as an annual
Light: Full sun
Size: 2 to 6 feet, depending on the cultivar
Pollinators: Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies

Native to South America, cleome (also known as spider flower) blooms from summer to frost with large pink, lavender, or white flower heads. Stalks tend to reach 5 to 6 feet, but short cultivars can be grown in containers. Grown as annuals, cleome plants are heat tolerant and adaptable to most soil conditions. Plant spider flowers in a group, or pair with other annuals and perennials in the garden.

Although these plants can get quite tall, there’s no need to stake them, fertilize, or deadhead. As the flowers fade, whorls of long, thin seedpods develop at a 90-degree angle to the main stalk—like spider legs. These split open to disperse small seeds in the garden. Sharp spines sit at the base of the sticky leaves, which are known to produce a musky odor.

These are the most colorful hummingbird flowers you should grow.

Does Cleome Attract Pollinators?

hummingbird at cleome
Ruby-throated hummingbird visits cleome for nectar

Wildlife benefits abound with spider flower. Gardeners can draw in swallowtail butterflies, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths, and goldfinches feast on its seeds. “Cleome plants are well-loved by birds and butterflies, and (they) can’t be beaten when it comes to heat and drought tolerance,” explains Jeanine Standard, media coordinator for Proven Winners.

Many gardeners like the way cleome self-seeds and see it as a perfect cottage garden plant. Bountiful flowers appear all summer long, and whimsical volunteer cleomes grow through cracks between pavers. However, some might wish to curb cleome’s tendency to spread.

hummingbird moth on spider flower
Watch for hummingbird moths on spider flower blooms in the evening.

“There can be a problem with self-seeding, but we manage this by weeding out the area and changing the planting location each season,” says Tammy Burke, staff horticulturist for the American Horticultural Society. “The benefits cleome provides, such as interesting textural blooms, exciting colors, and a nectar source for pollinators, outweigh the self-seeding problem.”

Cleome Pests and Problems

Deer and rabbit resistant, cleome possesses no serious insect or disease problems. Gardeners might see aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies, but these won’t kill the plants. Provide adequate spacing and good air circulation to protect against powdery mildew.

Starting Cleome From Seed

cleome
Some varieties self-seed in the garden.

To grow cleome from seed, sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. Indoors, start the growing process under lights one month before the last frost. Some varieties benefit from stratification, a moist, cold period, to encourage germination. To stratify, place seed in a moist paper towel and fold. Then place the seed and towel in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the refrigerator for several days prior to germinating.

“Before sowing cleome seed, I pre-chill seed in the refrigerator for three to five days,” Tammy says. “Chilling the seed seems to help with faster germination.”

Some older varieties (Queen series) can be grown from seed. Newer sterile cultivars (Linde Armstrong, Clio) cannot be grown from seed, but also do not self-seed in the garden. With this range of cultivars, whether short or tall, self-seeding or sterile, there’s truly a cleome for every gardener.

Next, learn why nicotiana is a hummingbird garden’s best kept secret.

Sources

About The Experts

Jeanine Standard is the media coordinator for the Proven Winners plant brand. Her role entails working with the brand’s social media as well as its public relations efforts.

Tammy Burke serves as staff horticulturist for the American Horticultural Society. Previously she held the title of senior horticulturalist for Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Wolf Trap, Virginia, where she worked for more than 20 years.

Mandevilla Care and Growing Tips

Bnbbyc19 Chris Gilmore
Mandevilla thrives in heat and sunshine.
  • Scientific name: Mandevilla spp.
  • Common name: Rocktrumpet
  • Zones: 9 to 11 or Annual
  • Light needs: Full sun to part sun
  • Water needs: Moderate
  • Soil: Rich, well-drained
  • Size: 1 to 20 feet tall and wide
  • Attracts: Birds, bees and butterflies

This bloom-laden vine is a showstopper wherever it grows, and many summer gardens feature baskets or trellises full of its trailing flowers. The blossoms themselves spread several inches across, with a deep trumpet shape that hides nectar at its base. You’ll find this charmer available in red, pink, white, yellow, and more, all with glossy green foliage that’s attractive all on its own.

“Mandevilla blooms nonstop from spring to fall,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. “Thanks to its subtropical nature, it holds up to heat and humidity better than a lot of traditional annuals, so you can count on it to continue putting on a show. It also has a good amount of drought tolerance and doesn’t require pruning or deadheading, making it a delightfully low-maintenance addition to the garden.”

Mandevilla (rocktrumpet) can be a hungry plant, and will benefit from regular applications of fertilizer, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Choose a fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage blooms, and feed it every two weeks throughout the summer.

Grow these tropical plants for a lush outdoor oasis.

Is Mandevilla an Annual or Perennial?

253889464 1 Clarence Beavers Bnb Bypc2020
Emerging mandevilla blossom

This subtropical species requires fairly warm temperatures year round and can’t tolerate frost. That means in most climates, people grow it as an annual. But in frost-free zones (9 and higher), you can treat this plant as a perennial, as long as you provide a little protection when night temperatures drop below 50 degrees.

Some people bring rocktrumpet indoors to overwinter, but it can be a little finicky as a year-round houseplant. “Back when I lived in Iowa, I had a mandevilla I brought in every winter,” Justin says. “I kept it in front of a west-facing window and it regularly produced flowers throughout the winter. Unless you have a really high-light spot inside, I wouldn’t recommend it as a year-round houseplant, but it’s easy enough to keep from year to year.”

Get expert tips on how to overwinter non-hardy bulbs and tropical plants.

When and Where to Plant Mandevilla

277787258 1 Janet Lewis Bnb Bypc 2021
Container with cordyline fruticosa, Mezoo Trailing Red, mandevilla and asparagus fern

Plant mandevilla outdoors when daytime temperatures are in the 60s or higher, with nights in the 50s and up. Justin explains, “Mandevillas want all-day sun in a warm or hot spot, and well-draining soil. Fungal diseases can occur when it’s planted in wet, heavy soils. If you have heavy clay, you can usually avoid this pretty easily by planting in containers or raised mounds to help improve drainage.”

Justin also notes that while most people think of this plant as a vine, there are newer cultivars that have a mounding growth habitat instead, reaching only about 18 inches tall and wide. If you’d prefer to grow it in a border, look for the mounding types instead of vining types. Otherwise, provide something for it to climb on, or put it in a high-hanging pot to trail down.

Grow these nectar-rich potted flowers and plants for hummingbirds.

Do Hummingbirds Like Mandevilla?

Bnbbyc18 Linda Weaver
Hummingbird perches on a mandevilla vine

Many people plant mandevilla specifically for the pollinators it attracts, like hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. In fact, it’s one of our top picks for vines that attract hummingbirds!

Mandevilla Pests and Diseases

In addition to being subject to fungal disease when grown in wet, heavy soils, this blooming vine can occasionally be bothered by spider mites, though Justin says they’re usually not a major issue. If you do encounter them, he suggests some solutions. “Spraying the plant’s foliage with water every day for a couple of weeks is a natural way to help combat spider mites; you can also use an insecticidal soap or miticide,” Justin says.

In some areas, oleander moth caterpillars can cause serious defoliation. But in general, this beloved plant is relatively pest-free in most gardens. And even better, it’s deer and rabbit resistant. (Note that this plant exudes a toxic sap, so wear gloves when handling and keep it away from kids and pets.)

Discover easy ways to use vining plants all around your garden.

New Mandevilla Varieties to Grow

Pw Mandevilla Sun Parasol Giant White Container Container
Mandevilla Sun Parasol Giant White

The Sun Parasol series is especially popular with gardeners, with flowers available in pink, red, white, yellow, and a lovely new delicate apricot shade that’s sure to be a hit. Justin also recommends keeping an eye out for Sun Parasol Bluephoria, a purple-blooming variety that’s hitting the market in limited numbers in 2024.

Next, learn how to grow trumpet honeysuckle for hummingbirds.

About the Expert

Justin Hancock is a horticulturist with Costa Farms, one of the world’s largest plant growers, known for houseplants and outdoor tropical flowers. Justin previously worked at Monrovia Plants and served on the board of directors for All-America Selections. He has a bachelor’s degree in horticultural science.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Trumpet Honeysuckle Care and Growing Tips

13 Christiewinter Bbon18
Trumpet honeysuckle is a native vining plant that attracts pollinators.
  • Botanical name: Lonicera sempervirens
  • Common names: trumpet or coral honeysuckle
  • Growing zones: 4a to 9b
  • Native to: East Coast and Southeastern U.S., naturalized beyond
  • Size: A vining plant with stems up to 20 feet, 3 to 6 feet wide
  • Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
  • Water needs: Medium

You can plant trumpet honeysuckle in spring or fall, in soil that is acidic to neutral. It prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil. Mary Phillips, head of Native Plant Habitat and Certification for the National Wildlife Federation, suggests top-dressing with compost at planting, and mulching. This honeysuckle prefers even moisture, so make sure to water during heat spells. You’ll see the best flower show in full sun, but it will still grow in partial shade.

“By providing a few key elements, you will keep this vining perennial happy for years to come,” says Lauren Carvalho, Horticulturist for High Country Gardens.

The main ingredients for success, she says, are providing well-drained soil and full sun.

As to maintenance, “Minimal pruning is required to keep your Lonicera looking nice,” Lauren says. “Remove dead or damaged branches and any unruly shoots that extend beyond your desired boundaries. Pro tip: L. sempervirens flowers on new growth so hold off on pruning until after the blooming period.”

Mary says she prunes her vine in late fall after blooming and thins it in early spring, mainly to keep it out of her pathway.

Check out the top 10 vines to grow for hummingbirds.

Wildlife Benefits

trumpet honeysuckle and hummingbird
Female ruby-throated hummingbird with a trumpet honeysuckle bloom on its bill

When swathed in scarlet red blooms beginning in late spring, hummingbirds find trumpet honeysuckle vine nearly irresistible. While not fragrant, this native vine is easy to grow and an abundant bloomer that supports a host of beneficial wildlife.

In addition to feeding hummingbirds and bees with its flowers, it’s a larval host to butterflies like the spring azure and supports quail and songbirds with red berries in the fall.

Mary says, “It’s native to the U.S. and that’s a benefit to our wildlife, and it’s widely available to consumers. Also, in milder climates it remains evergreen – I actually had blooms in February when it snowed (in Maryland).”

Grow more nectar-rich native plants for hummingbirds.

Trumpet Honeysuckle Cultivars

Bnbbyc17 Jacki Finzel 1
Hummingbird at ‘Major Wheeler’ trumpet honeysuckle

While there are several selections of the species on the market, including Major Wheeler, Blanche Sandman, Leo, and Magnifica, Mary grows the original and loves it.

“It’s been amazing to see all the hummingbirds come,” she says. “They flit all around hover come and go, it’s really beautiful.”

The most popular cultivar is ‘Major Wheeler,’ which High Country Gardens says has proven in trials to be the most profuse bloomer and was selected as the grower’s 2010 Plant of the Year.

What is the main difference between growing ‘Major Wheeler’ and the species? According to Growing Wild Nursery, if you want the berries to feed songbirds, you’ll have to plant a second, different selection of L. sempervirens to let the two plants cross-pollinate.

Among the species and selections, the long tubular flowers are typically shades of red, ranging from coral to scarlet, with yellow anthers. The leaves, typically evergreen in USDA Zones 8 and above, are an attractive blue-green color that beautifully complement the sunset-toned blooms. Trumpet honeysuckle usually begins blooming in late spring, which can be as early as March in the South, and continues intermittently through the growing season.

While choosing your plants, double-check the botanical name for L. sempervirens. Other honeysuckles are also called trumpet, like L. ciliosa, a Northwest native honeysuckle. If you buy trumpet vine, you’ll likely have a different species – Campsis radicans.

Is Trumpet Honeysuckle Invasive?

Many people wonder if L.sempervirens is as invasive as some other non-native species, like L. japonica, can be. Happily, trumpet honeysuckle is not considered invasive, but it does need plenty of room to grow.

Experts say it’s a versatile vine that is vigorous but not rampant. You can let it ramble as a ground cover. If you want it to climb, you’ll need a sturdy trellis or arbor to support it. The vines twine independently but will still need occasional tying in and trimming to look tidy.

Trumpet Honeysuckle Problems

aphids on honeysuckle vine
Aphids on Major Wheeler trumpet honeysuckle vine

While considered somewhat deer-resistant, Growing Wild Nursery suggests that if you live among deer, wrap the lower 5 feet of the plant with chicken wire to lessen browsing near the roots.

This native honeysuckle may occasionally be troubled by powdery mildew or aphids, says Lauren. Provide good air circulation in full sun, keep well-watered, and if aphids appear, hose them off.

Next, learn how to attract hummingbirds to a small garden.

About the Experts

Mary Phillips is head of Native Plant Habitat and Certification for the National Wildlife Federation. Since 2014, Mary has led Garden for Wildlife and Certified Wildlife Habitat programs as an ambassador for native plants.

Lauren Carvalho works as a horticultural manager for High Country Gardens. Lauren specializes in native pollinator plants and sustainable gardening practices.

Sources

Why Trust Us

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Honeybee On Lilac
Honeybee on lilac bush

With the first mention of the lilac bush dating back to 1753, it’s not surprising that the fragrant flowers are often considered old-fashioned—but that doesn’t mean lilacs don’t have modern appeal.

“Lilacs decorated the large estates of the founding fathers and have remained an American favorite for generations,” says Melissa Finley, Thain curator of woody plants at New York Botanical Garden. “For contemporary gardeners, lilacs are often associated with fond memories of mothers, grandmothers and aunts who grew these classic shrubs for their showstopping fragrance.”

Do Lilacs Prefer Full Sun or Shade?

4219 Syringa Old Glory 009bb
Old Glory
  • Common lilac
  • Syringa vulgaris
  • Zones: 3 to 7
  • Attracts: birds, bees, butterflies
  • Light needs: Full sun
  • Size: 8 to 16 feet high and 6 to 12 feet wide
  • Grown for: Gorgeous spring blooms and sweet scent
  • Cultivars to try: Yankee Doodle can handle the cold starting in Zone 2; Primrose offers creamy yellowish flowers with a classic lilac aroma; Bloomerang has a second bloom in summer.

Beloved by gardeners for generations, common lilac is a relatively fuss-free shrub that comes to life in late spring. It’ll be quite happy in most soils with good drainage. Though this plant can grow in spots with part shade, being in full sun will produce the best display of its flowers.

Whether you plant classic species like the common lilac bush or newer varieties like Pinktini lilac, choose a site with full sun and moist but well-draining soil; lilacs prefer a neutral or slightly alkaline soil pH. “A lilac in the right spot will require very little care in order to thrive,” Melissa says.

2894 Syringa X Oblata Betsy Ross 2254
Betsy Ross

Warmer winter conditions due to climate change could make it harder for traditional early-blooming lilacs to bloom in some areas, Melissa adds. Heat-tolerant varieties like Lilac Sunday, Betsy Ross and Old Glory are better adapted for warmer climates.

Lilac bush not blooming? Here’s what to do.

Most Fragrant Lilacs to Grow

Pw Lilac Scentara Pura 02 Macro
Scentara

Lilacs are “midseason bloomers,” blooming in April to early June with pyramid-shaped clusters of petite flowers in shades of red, pink, blue, purple, yellow and white, lasting for around two weeks, according to Ruth Wendt, garden committee chair at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens. The flowers, though pretty, aren’t the main reason why gardeners love lilacs; their intoxicating scent is the biggest draw.

Jungseed Lilacsunday
Lilac Sunday

Certain varieties, including Scentara, are even more deeply scented. You won’t be the only one enjoying the inviting, bountiful blooms when they arrive. Wildlife are also attracted to the scent, shape and color of these blooms. Lilacs attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators, turning the garden into a buzzing, fluttering nectar buffet.

Try New Age White Lilac for a fresh update on a classic shrub.

Reblooming Lilac Varieties

Zwerg Flieder, Syringa Josee, Dwarf Lilac, Syringa Josee
Josee

Lilac bush lovers have often planted early-, mid- and late-blooming varieties to extend the appearance of the gorgeous blooms in their gardens. But thanks to new reblooming cultivars, it’s possible to have a second flush of flowers on a single plant.

Look for cultivars like Josee, Colby’s Wishing Star, and the series Bloomerang, which bloom in the spring and again in the late summer or fall. Melissa says subsequent blooms are “usually not as spectacular as the initial bloom,” especially in hot and muggy climates.

Why are my lilac leaves turning brown?

Proper Lilac Pruning Is Essential

Syringa 'colby's Wishing Star'
Colby’s Wishing Star

“The most common home gardener mistake with lilacs is pruning at the wrong time of year,” Melissa says. Prune lilacs no more than three weeks after the blooms fade; wait too long, and you’ll prune new growth, eliminating the chance that lilacs will bloom next spring.

Reblooming cultivars require little pruning. Instead, Melissa recommends deadheading the spring blooms before they set seed to encourage a better second flush.

Get more expert tips on how and when to prune lilacs.

Dwarf Lilac Cultivars

Dwarf lilac cultivars make it possible to have the classic blooms in small spaces. Unlike traditional varieties that can grow up to 12 feet tall, these dwarf cultivars have mature sizes ranging from 2 to 6 feet tall. Ruth Wendt calls them perfect for patios or other small spaces. Size isn’t the only thing that sets dwarf lilacs apart. Ruth notes that the scent of dwarf lilacs tends to be spicy, not sweet.

Pw Bloomerang Dark Purple Lilac Bloom
Bloomerang Dark Purple

Bloomerang Dark Purple produces diminutive dark purple flowers with a wonderful scent and reblooms from midsummer until frost.

Blooming,lilac,with,rain,drops.,syringa,meyeri,palibin.
Palibin

With its pale pink flowers, the award-winning Palibin is dense and grows up to 5 feet tall, making it an ideal choice for a hedge.

Syringa Vulgaris ‘wedgewood Blue’Common Lilac Wedgewood Blue – Single Pale Blue Pink Edged Flowers, May, England, Uk
Wedgewood Blue’

Wedgewood Blue grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces beautiful flowers with a true blue interior and lavender around the edges of the petals. Best of all, it has an excellent fragrance.

Syringa Bailbelle 'tinkerbelle' Hybrid Lilac.
Tinkerbelle

Tinkerbelle is a laterblooming selection with bright, single pink blooms that last up to four weeks. The upright shrub reaches up to 6 feet tall and can be trained into a small tree form.

Pw Syringa Baby Kim Img 2023
Baby Kim

The smallest dwarf cultivar, Baby Kim has a mature size of just 2 to 3 feet tall and produces small, fragrant dark purple flowers that won’t fade over time.

Next, learn why you should add lilac vine to backyard flower gardens.

About the Experts

Melissa Finley is the Thain curator of woody plants at New York Botanical Garden. She earned a Master’s degree in plant pathology from the Pennsylvania State University.

Ruth Wendt is a garden committee chair at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, a National Historic Site located north of Portland, Oregon. The Gardens and historic buildings are maintained by the Hulda Klager Lilac Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization.

Sources

Why Trust Us?

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

types of orioles
Male Baltimore oriole in crabapple tree

The word “oriole” originally came from a Latin term meaning “the golden one.” Although the name was first applied to an unrelated group of birds in Europe, Asia and Africa, it’s perfectly appropriate for the types of American orioles. These birds belong to the blackbird family (along with grackles, red-winged blackbirds and meadowlarks). They have the same sharply pointed beaks typical of that family.

Eight oriole species are found regularly north of the Mexican border, and you can find at least one or two of these in almost any area of the United States during summer. Many male orioles in northern locations are more brightly patterned than females, but the sexes often look the same among those seen further south.

Female orioles build impressive nests. They weave plant fibers into a cup or a hanging pouch that’s often suspended near the end of a branch, hidden by leaves, providing a cradle for the young that’s safe from most predators.

Here’s where and how to spot the types of orioles regularly found in the U.S. and Canada.

Baltimore Oriole

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Male Baltimore oriole

As early as the 1720s, people in the eastern colonies called this species the Baltimore bird. The male’s orange and black colors suggested the coat of arms of a British nobleman, Lord Baltimore, the same person for whom the city in Maryland was named. The term oriole wasn’t added to the bird’s name until decades later. Baltimore orioles are common in summer across most of the eastern states and southeastern Canada, with smaller numbers spending the winter in the southeastern states.

When will Baltimore orioles arrive in spring?

Bullock’s Oriole

Bullock's Oriole Perching In Cottonwood Tree   Vertical
Male Bullock’s oriole in cottonwood tree 

The Baltimore oriole’s close relative, the Bullock’s oriole replaces it in the western half of the continent. Where the two types meet on the western Great Plains, they often interbreed, producing hybrids that look intermediate between their parents. For several years, the two types of orioles were combined as one species under the name of northern oriole but were later separated. Bullock’s and Baltimore orioles have similar habits, often nesting in backyard shade trees.

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole
Orchard oriole in mulberry tree

The well-named orchard oriole favors short trees and semi-open areas, such as orchards or the edges of woods, rather than the interior of tall forests. Widespread in summer in states east of the Rockies but barely reaching Canada, this oriole is most common in the South. It’s this continent’s smallest oriole, barely over 7 inches long. Adult males are patterned with dark chestnut instead of orange or yellow, while females are yellow-green.

Orchard Oriole, Icterus Spurius, Female Bird Perching In Springtime
Female orchard oriole in redbud

Birders are sometimes confused by 1-year-old male orchard orioles, which are colored like the females, but with a black throat. Like adult males, they perch on low trees to sing rapid, jumbled songs. Even where this species is very common, it may migrate south early, leaving before the middle of August.

Learn how to attract orioles to your backyard.

Scott’s Oriole

Oriolescottschollaseedpod D 25326
Male Scott’s oriole on cholla cactus fruit

The rich, warbling song of the Scott’s oriole carries far across the foothills of this bird’s summer home in the Southwest. This yellow-and black bird lives in various habitats, from juniper or oak woods to desert grassland. Most often it’s found where yuccas grow. With their long, stiff, pointed leaves, these plants provide sturdy fibers for nest materials. More importantly, the spiny tips of their leaves deter most predators. In one study in southern New Mexico, every Scott’s oriole nest found was tucked in the leaves of a yucca plant.

Not every orange and yellow bird is an oriole. Discover 10 birds that look like orioles.

Hooded Oriole

hooded oriole, types of orioles
Male hooded oriole in whitethorn acacia 

Across the Southwest, from Texas to California, hooded orioles are prevalent during summer. Males sport black throats and orange hoods, while females are plainer yellow. Although females may build their cup-shaped nests in a variety of trees, including sycamores or cottonwoods, they have a clear preference for palm trees, especially in California. Long, strong fibers pulled from the edges of palm leaves make excellent building materials, and nests attached to the underside of a palm leaf stay well protected from the weather

What does a Baltimore oriole song sound like?

Audubon’s Oriole

Audubon's Oriole, Icterus Graduacauda
Audubon’s oriole in Mexican olive tree

Slow, hesitant notes, sounding like a child learning to whistle, may reveal a pair of Audubon’s orioles in the woods of central or southern Texas. Unlike other orioles, they stay fairly low in the trees and seem shy. Males and females feature similar patterns. Look for a black head, wings and tail contrasting with the yellow body feathers. The females’ colors tend to be duller. They stay year-round in Texas, and pairs are often seen together.

Learn how to identify baby orioles and juvenile orioles.

Altamira Oriole

Atamira oriole Icterus Gularis Is A Tropical Songbird With A Beautiful Striking Orange Yellow And Black Plumage Found Only In South Texas In The United States And Then Down Into Mexico And Central America
Atamira oriole with nest

Many types of orioles live in the American tropics. One that barely reaches our borders, the Altamira oriole, is locally common throughout the year in the Rio Grande Valley of southernmost Texas. It’s the largest oriole species in the U.S., up to 10 inches from bill tip to tail tip. Altamira males and females wear the same bright orange and black pattern. These orioles make the largest nest too, which they weave from plant fibers. Look for a narrow hanging bag, 1 to 2 feet long, suspended from the tip of a branch or sometimes a telephone wire.

Psst—orioles can’t resist this oriole nectar recipe.

Spot-Breasted Oriole

Spot Breasted Oriole, types of orioles
Spot-breasted oriole

Native to Central America, this large oriole was once kept as a cage bird. In the 1940s, a few escaped from captivity in Florida and began nesting in the wild. They are still locally common along shady suburban streets from Miami to West Palm Beach. Males and females look the same in bright orange and black with telltale black spots at the sides of the chest.

Learn how to make easy DIY oriole feeders.

Expert Tips to Attract Orioles

Bullock's and Baltimore oriole hybrid on trumpet vine, types of orioles
Bullock’s and Baltimore oriole hybrid on trumpet vine

No matter where you are, orioles are probably nearby in spring and summer. Watch for these flashy birds in your backyard or a favorite birding spot. And in autumn, after the leaves fall, look for their marvelous hanging nests that remain among the bare branches. The Kaufmans share four easy ways to welcome these birds to your yard:

  1. Plant the trees that orioles favor for nesting, including elms and cottonwoods (where permitted), or native palms in warmer climates.
  2. Put out oranges cut in half.
  3. Fill sugar-water feeders. They attract orioles, especially if the feeders have convenient perches.
  4. Serve small amounts of grape jelly each day. Think of it as a treat for them rather than a full meal.

About the Experts

Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official birding experts for Birds & Blooms and the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series.

Why Trust Us?

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Variety,of,fresh,,organically,grown,vegetable,seedlings,growing,in,seed
Vegetable seedlings growing in seed starting trays

It’s easy to cure an early case of garden fever: follow these tips on how and when to start seeds indoors. Growing your own seedlings also saves money and gives you the opportunity to enjoy unusual heirloom varieties.

“It’s kind of fun to start things indoors,” says Richard Jauron, a retired horticulturist at Iowa State University. “If you’re looking for a specific variety, you may not find it locally at a greenhouse, so you can buy the seed and start it yourself.”

A fresh pile of seed packets makes gardeners yearn to get growing. But hold tight! If you start too early, you might end up with leggy, overgrown plants that need babying until the frost disappears and the soil warms. Start too late, and you’ll be drooling over your neighbor’s BLTs while forlornly waiting for your plants’ blooms to turn into fruit. Ensure your schedule is set up for success.

Check out the top 10 flowers for harvesting seeds.

Selecting Seeds: Decide What to Grow

Deciding what to grow from seed is up to you, but Richard notes some things aren’t worth the bother. Begonias, for example, have tiny seeds that are hard to germinate and slow to mature. It’s much easier just to buy those plants at the garden center.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and readily available candidates, including flowers such as marigolds, zinnias, petunias and impatiens, and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, kale and broccoli.

The National Garden Bureau recommends that before you sow your first seed, become familiar with that plant’s needs. Does it prefer warm temperatures, or can it tolerate a light frost? Knowing the appropriate growing season and temperature, as well as the light and soil requirements, helps you set a schedule. Many plants, such as peppers, tomatoes and some perennial flowers, need warm temperatures to germinate, making them good candidates for indoor seed starting.

Consider all seasons. While summer offers a rich bounty, spring and fall gardens offer equally extensive harvests of cool-season crops, such as broccoli and lettuce. And cool-season flowers, such as pansies and snapdragons, fill gardens with color and fragrance, so consider them when setting your list.

Check out butterfly flowers that are easy to grow from seed.

Order Seeds Early

Shop early for the best selection and to receive seeds in time to give them a great start. Most seed packets offer excellent information, such as days to germination, ideal temperature, how deep to plant the seeds, days to maturity, plant spacing, sun needs and more.

Knowing how long seeds take to germinate and mature helps you know when is the best time to start them inside. Some seeds, such as lettuce, need to be sown on top of a seed-starting mix, as they need light to germinate. And most seeds, such as borage, need to be kept in the dark until they sprout. All seedlings need light as soon as they germinate, though.

Learn how to grow coneflowers from seeds.

Check Seed Needs

For the best germination, some seeds require a bit of pampering before they’re sown. These prima donnas require more time and effort on your part.

Scarification: A seed with a thick coat can be impenetrable to the moisture and gases that trigger germination. Just as the name implies, you’ll have to scar the seed coat using sandpaper or a nail file to scratch the outer coating, allowing the seed to absorb water and begin germination.

Stratification: Certain seeds, such as poppies, require a chilling period before germination, known as stratification. Direct sow these in the fall, allowing the winter temperatures to provide the needed cold period.

If you forgot to sow seeds until there’s a foot of snow in your garden, or if your mild zone doesn’t get a good winter freeze, no worries! Check your seeds’ stratification requirements— because the length of time varies—and use your refrigerator. Fill a container or bag with perlite, vermiculite and sand, or a seed-starting mix. Moisten the mix, add the seeds and place the labeled container in the refrigerator. Make a note on your calendar about when they will be ready for planting. And never let the seeds dry out during stratification.

Soaking: Some seeds like a soaking to boost germination. A 24-hour bath in lukewarm water encourages certain seeds with a wrinkled appearance, such as nasturtium, to absorb water and begin germination. If you have plans to grow any temperamental seeds that need a little TLC for germination, factor in the additional time into your seed-starting schedule.

Find out how to collect milkweed seeds from pods.

When to Start Seeds Indoors

starting seeds in eggshells
Teach children how flowers and vegetables grow by planting seeds.

Know your last frost and first freeze dates. Of course, these dates are not foolproof—Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes—but they’re a good place to start with your seed-starting schedule. Plan around the frost dates, but play it safe. For instance, if your last spring frost date is predicted to be April 18, consider waiting an extra week before planting tender crops in the garden. Perhaps keep a frost cover or a few cloches on hand in case of a late cold spell.

Determining when to start seeds indoors depends on where you live. Those who live in hot climates—Zones 8 or 9, for example—may be able start seeds as early as December. Northern gardeners, like those who grow in Zones 3 or 4, should wait until March or April to start most seeds, depending on the plant’s germination period.

Don’t fret if you have to wait a little longer. Extra time offers the perfect opportunity to order seeds—preferably as early as possible to get the best selection. Check out our favorite seed catalogs. Seed packets often include recommendations on when to plant indoors based on your average last frost date.

Richard cautions not to start growing too early. “Something like cucumbers or squash germinate and grow quickly, so start these inside three to four weeks before they can go outdoors,” he says. Tomatoes need five to six weeks indoors; peppers require seven to eight weeks.

Use a Seed Scheduling Tool

While you can create your own customized spreadsheet, adding in the seeds you want to grow, time to germination and days to maturity, Johnny’s Selected Seeds has an online seed-starting calculator to get you growing at the perfect time.

Plug in your last frost date, hit enter and the calculator tells you when to start each type of seed indoors. It shows the number of weeks to start seeds before the setting-out date, as well as the safe time to set out plants relative to the frost-free date.

How to Get Started Growing Seeds Indoors

seedlings in peat pots
Seedlings in peat pots

Richard starts vining vegetables in peat pots, which are biodegradable cells made of compressed peat moss that can be set directly in the ground without disturbing roots. For most other plants, he recommends plastic trays that have been washed with warm, soapy water and disinfected with a 10% bleach solution to prevent spreading disease.

Fill the tray with a commercial seed-starting mix of peat moss and vermiculite, and then sow the seed at the depth recommended on the packet. “For the seed to germinate, it needs good seed-to-soil contact,” Richard says. “And make sure they’re not too crowded.” Properly spaced seedlings are easier to transplant later.

Check out 10 fast-growing vegetables you can harvest quickly.

Boost Seed Germination With Heat

when to start seeds indoors
Make sure your seeds do not dry out.

When you start seeds indoors, warmth and humidity aid germination. “You need to keep the seed consistently moist,” Richard says. After sowing, he waters the tray before stretching clear plastic food wrap across the top and securing it with tape. (Some trays are sold with clear plastic domes to create this greenhouse effect.) He then places it by a heating vent, or you can also use a heating mat specifically for plants.

“As soon as the seedlings come up, take off the plastic, put the trays under lights and let the germination medium dry out—not completely dry out but just enough to dry out somewhat—then water again,” Richard says.

Light is very important. “If you put the seedlings in a window, even a sunny window, they’re not going to get enough light, so they stretch and get very spindly,” Richard says. “I typically use an ordinary fluorescent light with two 40-watt tubes. The light needs to be very close to the seedlings when they come up, typically within 4 to 6 inches.”

Learn how and when to thin vegetable seedlings.

Hardening Off: When to Move Seedlings Outdoors

Seedling Plants Growing From Egg Carton Isolated On White Background.
Once seedlings have two sets of leaves, they are ready to move outside.

Once the seedlings develop a second set of true leaves, Richard transplants them into cell packs filled with potting mix. “I just use a knife and dig them up really carefully by hand,” he says.

When it’s time to take plants outside (see the seed packet for guidance), start by acclimating them to the conditions. This process, called hardening off, can be done by placing plants outside in the shade for a few days, gradually moving them to increase the amount of light they receive every few days.

The National Garden Bureau advises you should introduce plants to the outdoors slowly. Look for a level, partially sunny spot and give plants about an hour of outside time. Increase the amount of sunlight they receive every day until they’re in full sun. Go slow to avoid sunscald. Move plants inside if the nights are cold. Keep them hydrated, because wind and sun make them thirsty.

Conversely, if they have withstood a rainstorm, make sure to pour standing water out of the trays. When the weather is ideal and the plants have been acclimated to the outdoors for about 10 days to two weeks, you can safely introduce the plants to their new garden home.

“I like planting in the morning or in the evening, not during the heat of the day when the plants might suffer a little bit,” Richard says. “Water them well and they should be OK.” If seedlings appear a bit pale, he suggests adding a water-soluble fertilizer when watering, and wait for your plants to flourish.

Learn the best time to water plants.

Extend the Season With Succession Sowing

Some seeds produce quickly and are ideal for direct sowing in the garden. For instance, radish seeds mature in about a month so they are perfect for succession sowing. Plant some seeds every two weeks, then enjoy a continuous supply of radishes.

Top Plants to Start from Seed

These popular blooms and veggies are easy to grow start from seed.

Flowers

  • Aster
  • Bachelor’s button
  • Calendula
  • Cosmos
  • Phlox
  • Salvia
  • Sunflower

Vegetables

  • Beans
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Lettuce
  • Squash
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers

About the Expert

Richard Jauron worked as an Extension Program Specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Richard provided answers to home gardeners and extension staff. He also assisted with operating the university’s Master Gardener program.

Sources

  • The National Garden Bureau
  • Johnny’s Seeds

Why Trust Us?

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brandhas been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.