In the Garden

_{Many insects are in serious decline.  Habitat loss and degradation, as well as pesticide use and climate change, are driving the loss of insects to the point that one-quarter of North American bumble bee species are currently facing extinction and even some of our most common species, such as the monarch butterfly, have experienced declines of roughly 80% over the past 20 years.}

_{Marvelous birds to capture in your binoculars, male Easter Blueirds are a brillian royal blue on the back and head, and warm red-brown on the breast.  Blue tinges in the wings and tail give the grayer females an elegant look.}

The term full shade does not mean 'no sun'.  A location is considered to be in full shade if it receives less than three hours of direct sun daily and receives filtered sun the rest of the day.  Preferably, the hours of direct sun occur in the cooler hours of the morning with filtered protection from intense sun in the late afternoon.