I’m guessing that there are fewer Verbena bonariensis (below) in the area just upslope from the greenhouse. I try to isolate the verbena in this area since it spreads readily by seed, and there are slightly fewer since I removed many seedlings so they would not impede growth of long-established toad lilies (Tricyrtis) that performed poorly a year ago.

Today, the toad lilies are back, though with increasing shade from neighbors, I expect less than peak flowering. Happily, many verbena remain, flowering without pause through the summer. Of course, while pollinators in the lower garden are attracted to mountain mints (Pycnanthemum) and Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium), all pollinators in the upper half are found on the verbenas.

While carpenter bees and bumblebees, swallowtail and smaller butterflies are abundant, I see fewer wasps and other smaller bees on the mountain mints this summer. I am always happy to see hummingbird moths (above and below) that seem most attracted to the verbena.

Tiny Asian tiger mosquitoes are a nuisance throughout the garden except for the patio beside the koi pond. Here, dragonflies patrol the skies. There are plenty of perches overhanging the pond where they stand guard and search for prey.

Of course, there are beasts in the garden that are less beneficial. Webworms and various caterpillars are now feasting on a few redbuds. I haven’t seen them for a few years, but they’ll do little harm.