Every summer, they show up on our bee balm and phlox. They hover and they zip around from flower to flower. It’s like magic!!! They always keep us company as we harvest our medicinal flowers and herbs. They look like a hummingbirds and act like hummingbirds— but they’re moths: hummingbird clearwing moths. The first time I saw one, I was confused. What is that? I watched for a long time and was mesmerized by their speed and beauty. I fell in love with these tiny creatures. They’re native...

We all hear about how important it is to support pollinators in upstate NY, especially by planting native favorites that they rely on throughout the growing season. Plants like Milkweed (common, swamp, butterfly), Echinacea, Joe Pye Weed, Asters, Yarrow, Liatris, Rudbeckia, Sneezeweed, Cardinal Flower, Monarda, Goldenrod, and other native plants play a vital role in providing nectar and habitat. Well, it’s not too late to plant them from seed! It’s easy and anyone can do it. Each year at...

Picaflor Farm LLC is a medicinal herb and flower farm, apiary, and residential gardening service. The farm centers, values and uplifts...