Jill Staake News Today

Find out where crape myrtle grows best and how to choose the right variety for your garden. Plus, get tips for pruning and pests to watch for.

If you find a bird that flew into a window, it's important to know how to help the stunned bird survive. Learn what the birding experts say.

This dianthus variety has beautiful silvery green foliage topped with delicate fragrant flowers in the spring.

Learn what a common gallinule looks like and where to find this water bird. Plus, find out what name the species used to be called.

This duck species is easy to identify once you spot its heavy bill. Northern Shoveler ducks are dabblers, filter-feeding on the surface.

Gardens with wet soil are perfect for blue flag iris. These flowers bloom in the spring and provide thick green foliage the rest of the year.

Learn what an eastern phoebe looks like and what their song sounds like. Find out what these birds eat and where to find them.

Cardinal flower is a great perennial for a butterfly garden with moist soil. Watch hummingbirds flock to this native plant’s sugary blooms.

You can attract butterflies even if you only have a balcony or patio. Learn how to make butterfly planters for your favorite pollinators.

Ready to give growing orchids a try? Phalaenopsis, also known as moth orchids, are fairly easy and a great place to start.