{"title":"Butterfly(s) Host Plant","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"spotted-bee-balm","title":"Spotted Bee Balm","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere’s no flower quite like Spotted Bee Balm or \u003cem\u003eMonarda\u003c\/em\u003e punctata. This eye-catching \u003cstrong\u003enative\u003c\/strong\u003e species blooms with whorls of yellow tubular flowers with purple spots, forming dense spikes surrounded by rosettes of downward curving pale purple bracts. With a wide native range, this adaptable wildflower thrives in hot, sunny, and sandy sites. This fragrant, easy to grow perennial wildflower is a must-have for pollinator-friendly gardens. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the host plant for the larvae of both the Gray Marvel moth (Anterastria teratophora) and the Snout Moth (Pyrausta generosta).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eCare\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in well-draining soil, partial shade to full sun (6+ hours of sun daily), and keep soil consistently moist. Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring, deadhead spent flowers, and trim back in late fall or early spring. Best grown in zones 3-9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn midsummer, Spotted Bee Balm gets  2-3 ft. height, blooms summer into fall, yellow flowers with purple spots, will naturalize by re-seeding. It is a thyme-scented plant with purple-spotted tubular yellow flowers. The plant contains thymol, an antiseptic and fungicide. It was historically used to treat upset stomachs, colds, diarrhea, neuralgia and kidney disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eToxicity\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot toxic to humans but may cause mild stomach upset in large quantities. Keep away from pets and children. Seek professional advice if accidentally ingested. Deer resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PRAIRIE MOON NURSERY","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon Liner","offer_id":47759844049135,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0573\/4904\/6465\/files\/spotted-bee-balm-7003492.jpg?v=1778534897"},{"product_id":"golden-alexanders","title":"Golden Alexanders","description":"\u003cp\u003eGolden Alexanders or\u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eZizia\u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e aurea\u003c\/span\u003e is one of those \u003cstrong\u003enatives\u003c\/strong\u003e in Tennessee that every garden should grow. It is fairly easy to grow and, although short-lived, will self-seed and persist in many sun\/soil situations. \u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eZizia \u003c\/span\u003eis an important plant to a number of short-tongued insects that are able to easily reach the nectar in the small yellow flowers. Black Swallowtail and Ozark Swallowtails caterpillars will feed on its leaves. Golden Alexanders have a long bloom time, giving the garden\/prairie some well-deserved early color for several weeks in late spring to early summer when many other plants have not yet flowered. All of these important perennial native plants should not be confused with the similar-looking Wild Parsnip which\u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ea highly invasive Eurasian biennial commonly found on roadsides and other disturbed sites. Wild Parsnip is taller than the aforementioned natives, blooms later and can cause painful skin burns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eCare\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlexanders thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They're adaptable to various soil types Moist, well-drained soil is best, but this very adaptable plant will tolerated both wet conditions and dry conditions, as long as there is plenty of moisture early in the growing season.. Hardy to zones 3 to 9. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery low-maintenance, Zizia aurea blooms along with Blue False Indigo, Columbine, and combines well with Fox Sedge in the sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden Alexander is a short-lived \u003ca class=\"glossary_link\" title=\"Perennial (A plant or plant species with a normal life cycle exceeding two years.)\"\u003eperennial\u003c\/a\u003e with branching, erect, reddish stems. Separate clusters of tiny, yellow flowers gather into a large, flat-topped flower \u003ca class=\"glossary_link\" title=\"Head (A compact cluster of flowers attached to essentially the same point on the peduncle.)\"\u003ehead. \u003c\/a\u003eThe plant is 1-3 ft. tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eToxicity\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally considered safe for dogs and cats. Deer \u0026amp; rabbit resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMERICAN MEADOWS","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon Liner","offer_id":50881877934319,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0573\/4904\/6465\/files\/GoldenAlexanders2.jpg?v=1790182391"}],"url":"https:\/\/amgardens.com\/collections\/butterflys-host-plant.oembed","provider":"America's Gardens Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}