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Rachel Maidl

Rachel Maidl is a senior editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. She enjoys bird-watching in her urban backyard and local state parks, gardening for pollinators and researching new plants. Her favorite backyard visitors are the bumblebees that visit her sedums.
Butterflies and a bee visit the white blooms of a buttonbush

Grow Buttonbush to Attract Butterflies and Pollinators

Buttonbush is a native plant with many benefits for pollinators. This flowering shrub is a perfect pick for that wet spot in your yard.

Rhododendron vs Azalea: How to Tell the Difference

Be a garden sleuth and find out the identify of your mystery plant. See key...

Look for a Mourning Cloak Butterfly in Early Spring

Discover where and when to find a mourning cloak butterfly and how to attract them....

Made to Wade: All About Wading Birds

Elegant and graceful, wading birds capture artists' imaginations. Here are interesting facts and gorgeous photos...

You Have to See the Winner of the 2021 Backyard Photo Contest

See Birds & Blooms' 2021 Backyard Photo Contest grand prize winner and learn the amazing...

Grow a Lucky Charm: How to Care for a Shamrock Plant

Learn how to choose and grow a false shamrock plant, what it looks like, and...

All About Bird Wings and Flight Feathers

Wings, feathers and tails come in many shapes, but they all have a special function:...

Dive Into Fascinating Facts About Anhinga Birds

The anhinga is an amazing bird, from adaptability to the way it swims. Here's what...

What’s a White Winged Dove Doing Up North?

Learn more about the white winged dove, how to tell one apart from a mourning...

14 Best Bird Gifts for Bird Lovers

If you're shopping for gifts for bird lovers, look no further. This is your ultimate...

The 30 Best Gardening Gift Ideas for Any Occasion

These unique and useful garden gift ideas are sure to please every gardener on your...

13 Fun Facts About Owls You Should Know

Here are some of the most fascinating and fun facts about owls, a one-of-a-kind group...
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Meet Garden Royalty: The Viceroy Butterfly

A viceroy butterfly is a majestic sight in the garden. Learn what the butterflies and...

Barn Owls: Ghostly Nocturnal Birds of Prey

Look for flashes of white when driving on dark country roads, and you might spot...

Grow Autumn Fire Sedum for Late Season Color

Learn how to grow and care of Autumn Fire sedum. Enjoy this fall flower's seasonal...

Fall Cleanup: 8 Garden Chores You Should Never Skip

Even if time is tight, focus on these fall cleanup chores that fellow gardeners say...

12 Pictures That Will Change the Way You Look At Moths

Butterflies may get all the glory, but these pretty moth pictures prove that some species...
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9 Features to Look for in a Bat House

It’s easier and more beneficial to host bats in the backyard than you may think....

Downy Woodpecker: Meet the Downies

A downy woodpecker is a small black and white bird that visits suet feeders. Listen...

Montreal Botanical Garden: 6 Reasons to Go

Don't miss these attractions at the Montreal Botanical Garden, from the peaceful Japanese Garden to...

Are Monarch Butterflies Endangered?

If you're seeing fewer butterflies, you may wonder if monarch butterflies are endangered. See what...

7 Amazing Nature Photos You Won’t Want to Miss

Unexpected moments happen all the time in the backyard—these photographers were just lucky enough to...

15 Adorable Photos of Bird Mothers With Babies

Bird moms work hard to raise their babies. Check out our collection of sweet photos...

Meet the Red Admiral Butterfly and Learn How to Attract Them

Learn how to identify and attract red admiral butterflies. Find out what they eat, where...

The 4 Best Ways to See Puffins in Maine

Add seeing puffins in Maine to your birding bucket list. Start at the Project Puffin...