Chelsea has the right idea!

I can handle my roses but I am sick of Japanese Beetles & other bugs eating my grape vines, peaches, blackberries & ornamental plum - so needless to say they are coming down as soon as possible and I will plant native or at least non-bug yummy plants....

@Heidi68 The Japanese beetles infest the evening primrose but does not seem to harm them. I collect the beetles & freeze them as a treat for my chickens. They bloom fragrantly in cool overcast days in their 2nd year. Growing a food garden means much competition from nature. I now would rather support my local organic farmers market. Let them do the work as I reap the reward. Your area in NC has many of the same plants as Southern Wisconsin. Only 1% remains from what was due to the advance of farms & housing developments. My prairie is now bursting into bloom with lots of butterflies, whereas my woodland is for spring time blooms. Milkweed of which I have 4 types are sacred to me.

@Mooola That is what I am looking for butterflies, bees & hummingbirds! Good idea about supporting the local farmers - sure would make my life easier

@Heidi68 Greatest year yet for butterflies. Swallowtails, red admirals, mourning cloaks, monarchs & viceroys. I permit the natives to grow where they choose & I design around them. Purple & prairie coneflowers, cup plant, & milkweed. Plant for the larvae to chew, & pollen for the adults. The reward is most fulfilling.

@Mooolah did you see these that I shared last weekend? This wonderful ?bush? appeared this year at the edge of the woods & my front pasture! As you said the natives are the best! ❤

@Heidi68 Joe Pye weed?

@Mooolah I have no idea but the bees & butterflies love it!

@Heidi68 Swallowtails love the joe pye weed. Near a wet zone?

@Mooolah unfortunately no. I am on top of a very large hill and there isn't any water (river or pond) for a few miles.

@Heidi68 Mine grow near my gutter & sump pump run off. Enough moisture on occasion but not constantly wet. A lack of moisture will stunt them but unless it is very dry for a long time I never have to water them. They will be 5' high instead of 7' or so.

2 of my rose bushes are have only given me a couple of roses each but the 6 bushes and the 1 climber have been constant. With this weather I have been impressed - currently it is 95°f with insane humidity.

@Heidi68 , our temps on the west coast (van isle) were below normal for quite a few weeks. still slightly below, which is good for gardens.

@callmedubious we started out a bit cool but end of June til now - wow! HOT! & HUMID!