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Create a fragrant pathway. Turn the walk to your front or back door into a wonderfully fragrant experience by planting herbs along a sunny path. The closer you plant the herbs to the edge of the path, the more likely they'll spill over into where your footsteps will help release the herbal fragrance. You can choose from a variety of herbs, either perennials (such as lavender, oregano, sage, and thyme) or annuals (such as basil, dill, rosemary, and summer savory).

Turn your whole garden into a butterfly garden. Rather than designate only one bed as such, spread the wealth of pollinator food plants throughout the garden to nourish butterflies, bees, and wasps, all good pollinators. Incorporate native perennials such as butterfly weed ( Asclepias tuberosa), blazing star ( Liatris species), and purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea). You also can plant serviceberry ( Amelanchier species) and fall-blooming witch hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana), both small, native trees. Some non-native annuals like zinnia and marigold, as well as shrubs such as butterfly bush ( Buddleia davidii) and lilac ( Syringa species), can also be sources of nourishment for insect pollinators.

Patricia Schrieber is director of education for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) ( http://www.phsonline.org), and co-owner of Valentine Gardens ( http://www.valentine-gardens.com).

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