Native garden plants that benefit birds, bees and butterflies are now available through the Keweenaw Wild Ones online plant sale at keweenaw.wildones.org. 

Almost 20 different species are included, including common milkweed, purple coneflower, wild bergamot and other garden-worthy natives that will keep your yard blooming from early summer into the fall. All of them benefit wildlife, especially birds and pollinators.

“The beauty of native plants isn’t just that they are beautiful,” said Marcia Goodrich, president of the Wild One Keweenaw chapter. “Unlike turf grass and many conventional garden plants that originated in Eurasia, native plants have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Over the centuries, our native birds and insects came to rely on these plants for their survival.”

As native plants were replaced by crops and nonnative gardens, bird and insect populations suffered. “By planting natives, you can help the monarchs, native bees and birds that depend on them,” said Goodrich.

Customers can order online at keweenaw.wildones.org and pick up their plants in Houghton on June 22-23. More details are available at the website.