Birds and bees and all the "good" insects in between benefit from thoughtful, well-planted environments - and so do we! - whether the plants are in a big yard, or in a container garden on a small deck.

Choosing the right flowers from your garden center will help create friendly, natural habitats for some of Mother Nature's most important summer residents, such as Baltimore Orioles, hummingbirds and honey bees.

Did you know that you can thank bees for your fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers? Fruit and holly trees, pyracantha shrubs, cucumber, watermelon, squash, blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry patches all benefit from frequent visits by bees due to pollination.

More birds will visit your garden if you offer them fruit bearing shrubs. These shrubs also make wonderful foliage for hiding young birds from prey.

The list below will help to identify these plants for your landscape and container gardens.

Annuals

Long-blooming annuals help maintain a much-needed source of nectar for butterflies, and many birds, throughout the summer. Some of the best annuals include:

• Zinnia
• Mexican sunflower
• Cosmos
• Verbena
• Lantana
• Strawflower and
• Heliotrope
• Impatiens *
• Fuschia *
• Petunia *
• Red Hot Poker *

* Hummingbirds are especially attracted to these.

Perennials

• Aster
• Lavender
• Bee Balm
• Butterfly Bush
• Blazing Star
• Bleeding Heart
• Columbine
• Dame's Rocket
• Delphinium
• Foxglove
• Fire Pink
• Hollyhock
• Lily
• Nasturtium
• Phlox
• Purple Coneflower
• Black Eyed Susan
• Orname 2tal Oregano

- Courtesy of Maryland Green Industry Council

Gardening News: Master Gardeners offer gardening advice

Join Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners Wednesday mornings from 9:00 am - 11:00 a.m. at the Monastery Gardens behind St. Mary's Church in Annapolis to answer your gardening questions.

Adjacent to the historic Charles Carroll House, the Monastery "Mary" Garden is the ideal place to discuss gardens - it is a serene area with beautiful flowers, plants and trees offering the opportunity for quiet meditation. For more information, contact the Anne Arundel County Cooperative Extension office at 410-222-6755.

Attention local garden clubs - send us your gardening tips, announcements, and photos and we'll post them here!

Don't miss these other great nature pages: