For this project, you will need a few basic pieces of equipment. I used a small, rectangular planter box for mine.
Basic tools. Photo by Matt Suwak.
You can use literally anything for your container: an otherwise empty outdoor container, an indoor-only item, an old wooden box you’ve been searching for a use for, or a glass vase.
You’ll need some material to hold the greens in place. This could be simple potting mix.
For this project I used floral foam blocks, available via Amazon, cut to size and placed inside the planter.
Keep in mind that greens and foliage should not be gathered in protected areas such as nature preserves and state parks that have enacted restrictions against taking specimens home, sometimes with a hefty fine attached.
Cut the foam blocks to size and cram them into your container. If you’re using a potting mix or some other sort of planter filler, disregard this step.
Rough cut blocks will do the trick. Photo by Matt Suwak.
The blocks do not need to fit perfectly. I filled the open space with some potting mix and stones to weigh the container down.
Step 2 – Place Filler
Place your filler greens. For this container I used Fraser fir greens as a base background to the whole affair.
Cut the branches at a 45-degree angle to make it easier to punch through the foam blocks or potting mix.
The branches should punch through the foam easily if cut at a 45 degree angle. Photo by Matt Suwak.
These initial greens are meant to serve as a background for your container and don’t need to be meticulously selected and arranged.
Place them in unspecific patterns so that your design has a full background of green foliage.
This should be taller than all of the rest of the greens in the container so that it can provide a good backdrop for everything else.
Step 3 – Fill the Middle
Fill in the middle ground with your secondary filler greens.
In this example I utilized a few arborvitae clippings to serve as a bushy filler. I used almost as much arborvitae as I used Fraser fir.
The trick to this step is to add a bit of variety to both the color and texture of the container. After all, these two greens make up the bulk of what’s in the design.
The softer foliage of the arborvitae breaks up the container and adds a new texture. Photo by Matt Suwak.
These should be placed at a middle tier of height in the container. This layer of greens could spill out over the edge of the container to add a flowing, fluid look to the design.
Try to leave a gap of open space in the front and center area of your container (see Step 5).
Step 4 – Colorful Additions
Time to add some color! It’s tempting to go overboard here, but remember that sometimes less is more, and just a little bit is enough.
Most of this container will be evergreen-based, so a little bit of color adds a lot and shouldn’t be abused. I used exactly four sprigs of holly berries to distribute color evenly around the container.
Just a little bit of color will do the trick. Photo by Matt Suwak.
The branches and leaves continued growing past the berries so I snipped them off, leaving the berries in full effect.
I fully expect these to be picked off and eaten by birds in the next few weeks.
The berries on a Nellie Stevens tend to be a bit more orange than red. If I had a choice, I would have used winterberry instead.
Step 5 – Greens Up Front
Insert and arrange the “front and center” greens that will be featured at the front of your arrangement.
In this project, I used the tips of a Southern magnolia.
They tend to maintain their green luster for a long time and the velvety brown underside of each leaf is a nice complement to the green that dominates the bulk of this design.
Photo by Matt Suwak.
I stuck these branches in at sharp angles and manipulated the leaves to look as if they were spilling over the sides of the container.
At this point you should be running out of room in your design to add new material. That’s okay, because the final steps require only a few accents.
Step 6 – Add Accents
I’m a sucker for a nice yellow-and-gold hue, so I threw in the new growth from a golden euonymus as an accent to contrast nicely with all of the green going on.
Like in Step 4, the trick here is to add just a bit of color so that it grabs more attention in opposition to the sea of green.
Photo by Matt Suwak.
I only used four branches, and I removed the bottom leaves from the stems before inserting them into the foam blocks.
This bright, bold punch of color should be front-and-center and shouldn’t reach above the background row of greens.
Other options to use here are a variegated boxwood, a blue-green splash of eucalyptus, or some Gold Thread cypress.
Or, you know, whatever color you like to see – this is your planter, after all!
Step 7 – Focus on Earth Tones
Remember that nice touch of earthy brown provided by the magnolia leaves? We’re going to couple that with a few other shades of brown and add some accents.
First I placed three cattails in the back of the display. I love the color of these things and have always found them incredibly interesting.
As the season wanes I expect to see them shedding seeds in a puffy display.
Photo by Matt Suwak.
The trick here is to complement the subtle brown notes of the magnolia leaves, and throw a new shape and texture into the mix.
Sure, they look like corn dogs to some but that’s alright!
Additionally I added three Norway spruce cones. These break up some of the smooth green elements and complement the shape of the cattails.
I can’t overemphasize the importance of adding a range of colors as well as textures for varied interest, and to really make your arrangements pop.
Step 8 – Finish with Height (or A Frilly Garnish)
Ah, the final stage: adding the red twig dogwood. These branches should be placed in a radial pattern, starting at about 10 o’clock and finishing through to 2 o’clock.
A little bit is enough; these branches should complement the design without overpowering it.
Nicely on display for the appreciation of guests, neighbors, and my mail carrier. Photo by Matt Suwak.
They add some height and delicate structure to the whole container, bringing your focus in and drawing it towards the other elements.
Think of this step as the frilled edges, that last dash of subtle icing, or the cherry in a cocktail.
I placed my finished product on the porch column of my front steps. If you plan to display your arrangement outdoors, these greens should be protected from the worst of the winter weather.
If you keep your final piece indoors, you’ll have a different set of issues to contend with.
When it’s cold outside and the heat is on, be prepared to witness it wilting in the warm and dry indoor air.
The cooler air outside should help to preserve your arrangement’s integrity on the front stoop, deck, or patio.
I recommend using a product like Wilf-Pruf protective coating, available via Amazon, to maximize the life of your creation.
These concoctions are called “anti-desiccants” and will lock in the moisture of your greens and preserve them far longer than they might if left to naturally decay.
A Note on Watering
When it comes to keeping your greens looking fresh and vibrant, you might be tempted to water the display. That’s not going to help the greens and oftentimes can be detrimental.
First, understand that the material you’re using is going to brown, wilt, and lose its freshness. It’s a process you can’t prevent, but you can work around it.
To maintain freshness in your greens, lightly mist them every few days during warm or dry weather (and in warm and dry conditions, which you will find indoors in the wintertime).
Additionally, it can be helpful to keep outdoor containers protected from very wet or snowy conditions. These babies just won’t look the same after a night spent out in wind-blown sleet or an ice storm.
Ultimately it’s a losing battle, and your wonderful creation will be more brown and crispy than green and festive after a while.
Some people, myself included, enjoy that look of naturally fading material; others are inclined to replace the crispified (is that a word? It is now!) greens with fresh stuff from whatever sources they have. The choice is up to you.
Remember that if you used foam blocks in your container it will be top-heavy.
When I placed my design, I weighted the container down with rocks and stones and tied the container safely in place with florist’s wire, available from Amazon.
If you’re looking for a cozy dinner recipe for the fall/winter months, try this creamy parmesan butter beans recipe. It’s ready in 30 minutes, features a rich and flavorful sauce, and cooks in just one pan. Serve with some sourdough bread for dipping.
Think beans are boring? They don’t have to be! Fall in love with beans again when you make these creamy parmesan beans (that you would never guess are dairy free.) The broth is creamy and rich thanks to a combination of vegan parmesan, broth, and non-dairy milk. We like serving this one up with some sourdough and a simple salad (or roasted veggie) to round out the meal.
Saucy bean recipes like this one are my favorite type of recipe to cook which is why I love using my Cristel 3.5 quart sauté pan since the tall sides are perfect for this type of recipe. I’m excited to be partnering with them again and they’re offering a 30% discount on their cookware if you use my code DEBBIE30.
Why You’ll Love this Bean Recipe
Quick and Easy: use canned butter beans and this recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes. Just serve with some toasted bread and a quick salad and dinner is ready!
Good for You: as a dietitian, beans are the one food I wish everyone ate more often! They’re a good source of protein and rich in a variety of nutrients most of us are missing out on like fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium.
Make it Your Own: feel free to play around with this recipe by using a different bean or adding some spinach for color and nutrients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick rundown of the key ingredients you’ll need for this easy vegan pumpkin lasagna recipe. Be sure to check out the recipe card for the exact measurements.
Butter Beans: they’re tender and creamy and work well in dishes like this one! However, in a pinch you could swap with white beans or chickpeas.
Onion and Garlic: add flavor to the creamy sauce.
Italian Seasoning: adds flavor to the sauce for these beans. Feel free to play around with other spices like oregano, rosemary, or basil.
Plant-Based Milk: you want to pick one that is creamy/rich like soy milk, coconut milk or something like Ripple that is a bit thicker. They just cook down better into a creamy sauce than almond or even oat.
Vegan Parmesan: I really like the vegan parmesan from VioLife which is what I used for this recipe, but others should work well. If you’re cooking for vegetarians, just use a rennet-free parmesan.
Lemon: don’t skip the fresh squeezed lemon juice near the end. It helps brighten up all the flavors in the dish!
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Beans
I love that these creamy parmesan beans come together in one pot with plenty of sauce for dipping some bread into. See the recipe card for the full directions.
Saute the Onion: Heat the olive oil in a 3.5-quart @cristelusa Strate saute pan over medium-high heat. Str in the onion and saute until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook for one minute.
Make the Sauce: Add the broth, coconut milk, and vegan parmesan. Bring to a simmer for 5-8 minutes to thicken. Stir in the butter beans and cook another 2-3 minutes or until the beans are warmed through.
Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Serve with sourdough for dipping or spoon over top of pasta.
Storage
Fridge: any leftover beans can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezer: you can also store these beans in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
If you're looking for a cozy dinner recipe for the fall/winter months, try this creamy parmesan butter beans recipe. It's ready in 30 minutes, features a rich and flavorful sauce, and cooks in just one pan. Serve with some sourdough bread for dipping.
Heat the olive oil in a 3.5-quart saute pan over medium-high heat. Str in the onion and saute until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper, flakes, and seas salt.
Add the broth, coconut milk, and vegan parmesan. Bring to a simmer for 5-8 minutes to thicken. Stir in the butter beans and cook another 2-3 minutes or until the beans are warmed through.
Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Serve with sourdough for dipping or spoon over top of pasta.
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Price: $26.99 (as of Dec 15, 2025 15:42:16 UTC – Details)
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WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!
At Tribe, our love for fitness defines who we are and our desire to be by your side at every step of your fitness journey defines what we do!
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latex Made in the USA or Imported [Premium Exercise Bands] There are many different elastic bands for exercise, but these are resistance bands women will love and resistance bands men will love. Not all resistance bands are the same. [Gym Bands for Working Out] Assembled in the US, our resistance bands for working out are made from the highest quality materials using the most up to date manufacturing processes for power & control. [Heavy Duty Resistance Bands] Tribe Fitness bands are durable, so are the premium handles, grips, ankle straps & door anchor that are included in each set. Work out bands ideal for pros and beginners. [Perfect for On The Road Training] Lightweight enough to pack but strong enough to withstand the toughest workout. Consistent workout bands resistance ensure you get the correct weight that you need. [Quality Promise for Life] Our workout bands for men, leg bands, bicep bands, resistant bands for exercise are all covered by our Limited Lifetime Warranty and supported by our unrivaled Customer Care
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A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory panel appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to discuss and vote on the hepatitis B birth dose recommendation during its two-day meeting starting Dec. 4, potentially limiting children’s access.
Eric Harkleroad/KFF Health News
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Eric Harkleroad/KFF Health News
Working out of a tribal-owned hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, liver specialist Brian McMahon has spent decades treating the long shadow of hepatitis B. Before a vaccine became available in the 1980s, he saw the virus claim young lives in western Alaskan communities with stunning speed.
One of his patients was 17 years old when he first examined her for stomach pain. McMahon discovered she had developed liver cancer caused by hepatitis B, just weeks before she was set to graduate from high school as valedictorian. She died before the ceremony.
McMahon thinks often of an 8-year-old boy who showed no signs of illness until he complained of pain from what turned out to be a rapidly growing tumor on his liver.
McMahon can still hear his voice.
“He was moaning in pain, saying, ‘I know I am going to die soon,'” he recalled. “We were all crying.” The boy died at home a week later.
The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, even in microscopic amounts, and the virus can survive on surfaces for a week. Like many of his patients, McMahon said, both children contracted hepatitis B at birth or in early childhood.
That outcome is now preventable. A birth dose of the vaccine, recommended for newborns since 1991, is up to 90% effective in preventing infection from the mother if given in the first 24 hours of life. If babies receive all three doses, 98% of them have immunity from the incurable virus, with the protection lasting at least 30 years.
In the communities of western Alaska, years of targeted testing and widespread vaccination efforts led to the number of cases plummeting.
“Liver cancer has disappeared in children,” McMahon said. “We haven’t seen a case since 1995. Nor do we have any children under 30 that have gotten infected that we know of.”
He worries those hard-won gains could soon be rolled back.
Pushing Back the Dose?
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory panel appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to discuss and vote on the hepatitis B birth dose recommendation during its two-day meeting starting Dec. 4, potentially limiting children’s access.
On Tucker Carlson’s podcast in June, Kennedy falsely claimed that the hepatitis B birth dose is a “likely culprit” of autism.
He also said the hepatitis B virus is not “casually contagious.” But decades of research shows the virus can be transmitted through indirect contact, when traces of infected fluids like blood enter the body when people share personal items like razors or toothbrushes.
The committee’s recommendations carry weight. Most private insurers must cover the vaccines the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices endorses, and many state vaccination policies are directly linked to its guidelines.
Neither ACIP nor the CDC is regulatory. They cannot mandate immunizations. It’s up to states to do that.
But keeping the recommendation for a hepatitis B vaccine at birth preserves the widest range of options for families. They can choose to vaccinate at birth, wait until later in childhood, or not vaccinate at all, and insurance will continue to cover the cost of the shot as long as it remains approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Two senior FDA officials — Commissioner Marty Makary and top vaccine regulator Vinay Prasad — suggested at the end of November that changes to the vaccine approval process may be coming. Vaccines must be approved by the FDA to be administered in the United States.
In internal agency emails obtained by PBS NewsHour and The Washington Post, Prasad questioned the routine practice of “giving multiple vaccines at the same time.” It’s not clear whether he was referring to combination vaccines that offer immunity against multiple diseases with a single shot. Three of the nine hepatitis B vaccines currently approved by the FDA are combination vaccines. The birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is given only as a stand-alone vaccine.
Contacted for comment, Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily G. Hilliard said in a statement that “ACIP will review the evidence at its meeting this week and issue recommendations based on gold standard, evidence-based science and common sense.”
‘Sowing Distrust’
If private insurers opt to still cover the shot, misinformation from the meeting still could lead families to falsely believe the vaccine could harm their babies, said Sean O’Leary, chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
“Whatever comes out of this disaster of a meeting in December is going to be mainly designed around sowing distrust and spreading fear,” he said.
President Donald Trump, Kennedy, and some newly appointed ACIP members have mischaracterized how the liver disease spreads, ignoring or downplaying the risk of transmission through indirect contact. The hepatitis B virus is far more infectious than HIV. Unvaccinated people, including children, can get infected from microscopic amounts of blood on a tabletop or toy, even when the infected person is asymptomatic.
McMahon has cared for children who tested negative at birth and later became infected through indirect contact. In a study in the 1970s, nearly a third of such children went on to develop chronic hepatitis B without ever showing symptoms, he said.
“It’s a very infectious virus,” McMahon said. “That’s why giving everybody the birth dose is the best way to prevent it.”
The CDC recommends that all pregnant people be screened for hepatitis B, but it estimates that up to 16% are not tested and fall through the cracks. O’Leary and other experts say testing mothers for the virus shortly before or after delivery is unfeasible, because most hospitals lack the staff and resources.
“We have an incredible safety profile,” O’Leary said. “No one expects to get in a car wreck, right? And yet we all put our seat belts on. This is similar.”
The CDC estimates that 2.4 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis B and that half do not know they are infected. The disease can range from an acute infection to a chronic one, often with few to no symptoms.
If left untreated, it can lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. There is no cure. Treatment can sometimes involve antiviral or immunomodulatory medications, if the benefits outweigh the risk of severe side effects.
Expert’s Advice to Parents: Talk to a Doctor
Some parents may struggle to understand why a healthy newborn needs a vaccine so soon after birth, especially for a virus they feel certain they don’t have and often wrongly associate only with risky behaviors, said William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a former voting member of ACIP.
Those perceptions, Schaffner said, mix with declining trust in public health and rising skepticism about vaccines.
His advice to expectant parents who are on the fence is to talk to their doctor about the shots. Even if the pregnant woman has tested negative, he said, it’s still important to give the baby the birth dose, because false negatives are possible and because the virus can spread so easily from surface contact.
Babies who receive the full vaccine series starting from birth have their chance of liver cancer reduced by 84%.
“If you wait a month and if the mom happens to be positive, or the baby picks it up from a caregiver, by that time the infection is established in that baby’s liver,” Schaffner said. “It’s too late to prevent that infection.”
He said that if fewer people get vaccinated, hepatitis B will circulate at higher rates in American communities and the risk of contracting the virus will rise for everyone who doesn’t get the shots.
More hepatitis B cases could mean higher costs for patients and the broader health care system. The CDC estimates treating someone with a less severe form of the disease costs $25,000 to $94,000 per year. For patients who require a liver transplant, annual medical expenses can climb above $320,000, depending on their treatment.
Over the past 30 years, the main adverse events parents have reported from their babies receiving the birth dose have been fussiness and crying, both of which pass quickly. Schaffner said that’s a very strong safety profile — for a newborn vaccine with a track record of protecting babies from an incurable disease.
“The data are so clear about this,” Schaffner said. “A whole array now of other countries have initiated this program. They’ve modeled it on us.”
This story comes from NPR’s health reporting partnership with KFF Health News , a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Anyone who enjoys gardening accepts that gardening is a journey not a destination. This is certainly the case when dealing with nemesis such as voles and deer. Just when you think you have a spot looking perfect, these critters will show up to put on their unwelcome finishing touches. One must enjoy the process and focus on the beauty even though it may be fleeting.
I can never predict the fall color of the various Japanese maples. This year was a spectacular year for the brilliant yellow color of the coral bark Japanese maple(Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’, Zone 5–8).
Happy Single Date dahlia(Dahlia ‘HS Date’, Zone 8–11)has a simplistic bloom compared to most Dahlias and was a happy spot in the garden this summer.
Red Dawn full moon Japanese maple(Acer shirasawanum x palmatum ‘Red Dawn’, Zone 5–9)has beautiful color in both spring and fall. This fall it developed an intense red color that was exceptional in the evening sun.
This stubby Lion’s Head Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’, Zone 5–9) has had a hard life. Not long after it was planted, deer or maybe it was a bear who came during the night and rubbed its branches, breaking them off near the trunk. I dug it out of the ground and put it in a container where it was safe from the wildlife. After several months it showed signs of recovery, so I put it back in the ground with a protective fence around it. After removing the fencing, you can see it grew quite well this summer developing beautiful orange leaves in the fall.
Feather Falls™ sedge (Carex ‘ET CRX01’,Zone 5–10) is a versatile evergreen carex with a cascading form. It works beautifully in a container accentuating the length and form of the foliage.
‘Jordan’ golden full moon Japanese maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Jordan’,Zone 5–9) has a bright neon yellow color in the spring then settles into glowing lime green in the summer. This fall it was a brilliant deep yellow but before it could develop the characteristic orange color the temperature dropped to 25 degrees freezing the leaves. At least we got to enjoy the intense yellow as it is visible from our kitchen windows.
Crimson flag lily (Schizostylis coccinea,Zone 7–9) blooms in fall providing a pop of color after most perennials have finished blooming. It is a bit hard to find but I found it from a west coast nursery.
This is the first year that ‘Garden Glory’ full moon Japanese maple tree (Acer shirasawanum ‘Garden Glory’,Zone 5–9) has developed intense deep yellow/orange fall color. I protect the trunks of all our young trees with a hard plastic tree guard, so the deer do not rub the bark off with their antlers. The ferns beneath the tree are the deciduous bamboo fern (Coniogramme japonica,Zone 7–9).
‘Osakazuki’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’,Zone 5–9) has some of the brightest fall red colors of all Japanese maples. It may be hard to believe but this year the unseasonably cold 25 degree temperature stunted the color development.
Of course, no post is complete without my gardening compadre, Cody. Here he relaxes on the patio while carrying out his duties as guardian of the garden.
Thank you so much for sharing your garden with us again, Bonnie! Your landscape is a feast for the eyes in every season, but your collection of fall foliage is particularly stunning.
Fall color may have come and gone, but we can still celebrate that fabulous flash of color on Garden Photo of the Day. If you have photos of your garden in all its fall glory, please consider sharing them with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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Perfect for immune-support, this immune boosting chicken soup is made with garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemon, kale and orzo. Cozy, comforting, and nourishing, no matter the season!
This blog post is sponsored by Terry Naturally®. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible. As always, opinions are my own.
This recipe is on repeat in our house right now.
As a mama with two little ones in daycare, I fully expect our immune systems to be challenged (IYKYK).
While I can’t pull our kiddos out of daycare, I can help support our immune systems with nourishing soups.
This healing chicken soup seriously makes my whole body feel good – it’s warm, cozy, and comforting – like a big ol’ hug in a bowl. The protein in the chicken and the fiber in the kale helps me to feel satiated for hours after.
Plus, this recipe is baby led weaning (BLW) friendly! I made modifications and served it to my little guy at 8 months old (more on those below!).
Next time you’re feeling like you need some extra immune support, make this easy chicken orzo soup in less than 40 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on ingredients
onion: provides sharp, pungent flavor
celery: provides herbaceous flavor
carrots: provides subtle sweet and earthy flavors
kale: provides peppery flavor and texture (and fiber!) to the soup
orzo: a small pasta that gives the soup a satisfying starch component. I’ve made this with white and brown rice too if you don’t have any orzo on hand! Other small pastas like ditalini would work well too.
lemon: adds brightness and acidity
How this soup supports your immune system
There’s a lot we have yet to learn about the immune system. Because it’s a complex, intricate system, a lot of the research we have on how the diet impacts the immune system is preliminary.
But what we know is that staying well nourished with a varied diet, rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E and zinc can help support your immune system.
As a dietitian, you know I love a nutrient-packed soup for SOUP SZN. Let’s break it down.
When I need a little extra TLC, no matter the time of year, I like taking a supplement that will help support my immune system. Terry Naturally’s ViraPro®delivers key vitamins and minerals and clinically studied Haschberg Austrian Elderberry, which comes from berries rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants that support strong immune function.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How to Make Immune Boosting Chicken Soup with Orzo
Sauté aromatics! In a dutch oven, sauté onion, celery and carrots over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Spice it up. Stir in turmeric and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Add chicken, broth, and salt, and bring to a boil.
Simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is fully cooked, about 20-25 minutes.
Cook the orzo. Cook the orzo separately according to package instructions if you’re planning on leftovers / don’t want it to absorb extra liquid. Or, for a one pot meal, throw it in with the chicken, and add an extra cup of broth!
Shred it. Shred the chicken before adding it back into the pot.
Kale, yeah! Stir in the kale until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Final flavors. Add in lemon juice, and additional salt or pepper to taste.
Serve it. If cooking the orzo separately, distribute it among bowls and ladle the soup over top.
Equipment You’ll Need
Dutch Oven
Expert Tips
I like cooking the orzo separately if you’re planning to have leftovers of this soup as the orzo will absorb a lot of the broth.
To make this a one pot meal, add orzo in with the chicken and let simmer. The orzo will be fully cooked once the chicken is done. If adding orzo to the same pot, add another cup of broth as the orzo will absorb more of it while cooking.
To make this recipe baby led weaning friendly
For 6 mos+: serve mashed carrots topped with minced cooked kale and orzo. Cut a thin long piece of chicken breast to serve alongside. You can offer small sips of broth from an open cup.
For 9 mos+: serve small, bite-sized pieces of cooked (soft) carrots along with orzo, shredded cooked kale, and shredded chicken. You can pour the broth into an open cup or sippy cup for them to drink.
Preparation and Storage
This soup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I like to store the orzo separate from the soup to keep it from absorbing the liquid.
For freezer storage, store in an airtight container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months (both the soup and orzo can be frozen separately).
If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrdand I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!
Perfect for immune support, this immune boosting chicken soup is made with garlic, ginger, turmeric, kale and orzo. Cozy, comforting, and nourishing, no matter the season!
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon grated ginger (about 1-inch piece)
6 cups chicken broth
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup orzo
4 cups roughly chopped kale (with stems removed)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pepper, to taste
In a dutch oven or large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add onion, celery, and carrots and sauté until onion is translucent and vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Add garlic, turmeric, and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken broth.
Add chicken, making sure it’s submerged under the broth, and stir in salt. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is fully cooked (165 degrees F), about 20-25 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the orzo separately according to package’s instructions.
Once chicken is done, remove from the pot and shred it before adding it back in.
Stir in the kale until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Stir in lemon juice and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
Distribute cooked orzo evenly among bowls and top with ladles of soup.
Notes
To make this a one pot meal, add orzo in with the chicken and let simmer. The orzo will be fully cooked once the chicken is done. If adding orzo to the same pot, add another cup of broth as the orzo will absorb more of it while cooking.
My preference is to cook the orzo separately if you’re planning to have leftovers of this soup as the orzo will absorb a lot of the broth.
To make this recipe baby led weaning friendly: for 6 mos+ serve mashed carrots topped with minced cooked kale and orzo. Cut a thin long piece of chicken breast to serve alongside. You can offer small sips of broth from an open cup. For 9 mos+, you can serve small, bite-sized pieces of cooked (soft) carrots along with orzo, shredded cooked kale, and shredded chicken. You can pour the broth into an open cup or sippy cup for them to drink.
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People who regularly use tanning beds are more likely to have DNA damage that can lead to melanoma across nearly the entire surface of their skin.
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Hop onto TikTok and you’ll find lots of videos of young people — mostly women — fake baking under the glowing UV lights of a tanning bed. Seattle dermatologist Heather Rogers says this is an alarming trend that comes after years of decline in indoor tanning in the U.S.
She points to a 2025 survey from the American Academy of Dermatology which found 20% of Gen Z respondents prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin. And 25% say it’s worth looking great now even if it means looking worse later.
They feel like “it’s better to be tan than it is to worry about skin cancer,” Rogers says.
A new study in the journal Science Advances reinforces just why they should worry.
Researchers found that tanning bed users were nearly three times as likely to develop melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — compared to people who’d never tanned indoors. They also had DNA damage that can lead to melanoma across nearly the entire surface of the skin.
“Even in skin cells that look normal, in tanning bed patients, you can find those precursor mutations” that lead to melanoma, says Dr. Pedram Gerami, one of the study’s authors and the IDP Foundation professor of skin cancer research at Northwestern University.
Gerami and his collaborators compared the medical records of nearly 3,000 patients who used tanning beds to an age-matched control group of patients who didn’t tan indoors. They found that the more people used the tanning beds, the higher their risk of melanoma.
“If they had 10 to 50 tanning bed exposures, their risk was twice as high as the control group,” Gerami says. If they had over 200 tanning bed visits, their risk was more than eight times as high.
“If you think about it, getting 200 tanning bed exposures can happen really quickly. If you go once a week for four years, there you are,” he says.
The researchers also performed genetic sequencing on normal skin cells from tanning bed users. Most were younger women, which makes sense, because studies have shown that young women in their teens and 20s are the heaviest users of indoor tanning, says study co-author Hunter Shain, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco.
Shain says when the researchers compared these skin samples to normal skin cells from people in the general population who were twice the age of the indoor tanners, they were “stunned” by what they found.
“Women in their 30s and 40s had more mutations than people in their 70s and 80s from the general population,” says Shain, whose research focuses on the biology of skin cancer. “They somehow were able to cram in two lifetimes’ worth of UV damage in 30 years.”
Dr. Heather Rogers, who was not involved in the study, notes that tanning beds can emit ultraviolet radiation that is 10 to 15 times stronger than what you’d get from the sun. She says that tanning beds are often marketed as being safer than the sun, but this study shows how wrong those claims are.
Dr. Pedram Gerami says many of the patients he sees at a high-risk melanoma clinic are women who started indoor tanning as teens wanting to look better for events like homecoming and prom.
“Now, as young adults, they’re having to deal with frequent skin checks, frequent doctor visits, frequent biopsies, lots of anxiety, and the emotional burden of having been diagnosed with cancer at a young age,” Garami says. “So they have a lot of heaviness to deal with.”
He says some of these patients chose to donate skin samples to the study in hopes of helping other young people avoid the same fate.
It’s something magical about bees buzzing in the backyard, the soothing sound takes me back to nature away from the hectic work schedule I have on my desk.
Apart from acting as stress busters, these bees unknowingly contribute towards growth of veggies and perennials in the garden.
Gardeners call them pollinators, as they help plants to pollinate and in some cases deter pests.
Excellent things is you don’t have to be an expert to create a bee-friendly paradise.
By planting the right flowers, herbs, and shrubs, you can turn your garden into a pollinator haven. Plus, many of these plants are low-maintenance, colorful, and smell amazing—so it’s a win-win for you and the bees.
From cheerful sunflowers to fragrant lavender, there are tons of options to choose from. Some bloom in spring, others in summer or fall, so you can keep the bees happy all season long. And the best part? Most of these plants are easy to find at your local nursery or even grow from seeds.
But why should you care about attracting bees? Well, bee-friendly plants don’t just help pollinators—they help your entire garden thrive.
28 Bee-Friendly Plants to Attract Butterflies and Bees
When bees visit your plants, they transfer pollen, which leads to better fruit and vegetable yields, healthier plants, and more vibrant blooms.
A garden buzzing with bees is a sign of a balanced, thriving ecosystem where everything works together beautifully.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a classic bee magnet with its gorgeous purple spikes and soothing fragrance. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Beyond attracting bees, lavender doubles as a culinary herb and aromatherapy ingredient.
Bees absolutely love lavender because of its rich nectar and extended blooming period from late spring through summer. The tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for bees to access pollen and nectar, and the strong scent acts like a beacon, drawing pollinators from far and wide. Honeybees and bumblebees are especially fond of this fragrant beauty.
2. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are the showstoppers of any garden with their bright, cheerful faces following the sun across the sky. These towering annuals are incredibly easy to grow from seed and provide tons of pollen and nectar. Plus, once the flowers fade, the seeds feed birds through winter.
The large, open flower heads of sunflowers make it super easy for bees to land and forage. Each sunflower is actually made up of hundreds of tiny flowers packed together, offering an abundant food source. Bees work methodically across the flower head, collecting both pollen and nectar, making sunflowers one of their all-time favorites.
3. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm lives up to its name as one of the best plants for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This perennial produces shaggy, colorful blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, and white throughout summer. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate partial shade, making it versatile for different garden spots.
The tubular flowers of bee balm are rich in nectar and perfectly designed for pollinators. Bees are particularly drawn to the purple and pink varieties, which bloom for weeks on end. The plant’s minty fragrance and abundant nectar make it irresistible, and you’ll often see multiple bees working a single flower cluster at once.
4. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are tough, beautiful perennials that come in stunning shades of purple, pink, white, and even orange. These drought-tolerant plants bloom from mid-summer into fall, providing late-season food for pollinators. They also have medicinal properties and make excellent cut flowers.
Bees love the prominent central cone of these flowers, which is loaded with pollen. The petals provide a convenient landing platform, and bees will spend considerable time working each flower head. As coneflowers mature, they continue producing nectar and pollen, making them a reliable food source throughout their long blooming period.
Borage is an annual herb with stunning star-shaped blue flowers that bees find absolutely irresistible. This self-seeding plant is incredibly easy to grow and thrives in full sun with minimal care. The leaves are edible with a cucumber-like flavor, and the flowers make a beautiful garnish.
The bright blue blooms of borage produce copious amounts of nectar that replenishes quickly, even after bees have visited. The flowers hang downward, protecting the nectar from rain, which means there’s always a fresh supply for pollinators. Bees visit borage constantly throughout the day, making it one of the most valuable plants for beekeepers.
6. Salvia
Salvia, or sage, comes in many varieties with spikes of tubular flowers in blue, purple, red, pink, and white. These perennials and annuals bloom prolifically from spring through fall, depending on the variety. They’re drought-tolerant once established and work beautifully in borders and containers.
Bees are attracted to salvia’s nectar-rich tubular flowers, which are perfectly shaped for their tongues. The vertical flower spikes allow multiple bees to forage simultaneously, and different varieties bloom at different times, providing season-long food. Bumblebees are especially fond of salvia, and you’ll often see them clinging to the flower spikes.
7. Cosmos
Cosmos are cheerful, daisy-like annuals that bloom non-stop from summer until frost. They come in pink, white, orange, and burgundy shades and are incredibly easy to grow from seed. These airy plants sway beautifully in the breeze and make excellent cut flowers.
The open, accessible flower structure of cosmos makes them perfect for bees, especially smaller native species. The central disk is packed with pollen and nectar, and bees can easily navigate the simple flower shape. Cosmos bloom so prolifically that they provide a continuous food source, and deadheading encourages even more flowers.
8. Zinnias
Zinnias are vibrant, heat-loving annuals that come in nearly every color imaginable. They’re super easy to grow, bloom all summer long, and make fantastic cut flowers. Zinnias thrive in hot, sunny locations and are perfect for beginning gardeners.
Single and semi-double zinnia varieties are best for bees because the pollen and nectar are easily accessible. Bees love the bright colors and abundant pollen supply, and you’ll often see several bees working a single patch of zinnias. These flowers bloom so heavily that they provide reliable food throughout the hottest months.
9. Russian Sage
Russian sage is a stunning perennial with silvery foliage and airy purple-blue flower spikes that bloom from mid-summer through fall. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in hot, dry conditions and adds a soft, misty texture to garden borders.
Bees flock to Russian sage because it blooms during late summer when many other flowers have faded. The tiny tubular flowers are packed with nectar, and the extended blooming period makes it a crucial food source for bees preparing for winter. Honeybees and native bees both visit Russian sage enthusiastically.
10. Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint is a hardy perennial with aromatic foliage and masses of lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late spring through fall. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and easy to grow in full sun. The mounding habit makes it perfect for edging paths and borders.
Bees absolutely adore catmint, visiting the tubular flowers constantly throughout the day. The plant produces nectar continuously, and even after the first flush of blooms, a quick trim encourages repeat flowering. Bumblebees especially love catmint, and it’s not uncommon to see them covered in pollen while foraging.
11. Asters
Asters are essential fall-blooming perennials that provide critical late-season food for bees. These daisy-like flowers come in purple, pink, white, and blue shades and bloom when many other plants have finished. They’re tough, easy to grow, and attract a wide variety of pollinators.
As one of the last major nectar sources before winter, asters are absolutely vital for bee survival. Bees load up on aster nectar and pollen to build their winter stores, and you’ll see intense foraging activity on sunny fall days. Native bees, honeybees, and bumblebees all depend on asters for late-season nutrition.
12. Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans are cheerful, golden-yellow perennials with dark centers that bloom from summer into fall. These native wildflowers are incredibly tough, drought-tolerant, and thrive in almost any soil. They spread easily and create stunning drifts of color.
Bees love the prominent dark center disk of black-eyed Susans, which is loaded with pollen and nectar. The bright yellow petals provide an easy landing pad, and the flowers bloom over an extended period. Native bees particularly favor these flowers, and they’re essential for supporting local pollinator populations.
13. Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing, aromatic herb that produces masses of tiny flowers in summer. This perennial ground cover thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and works beautifully between pavers or in rock gardens. The foliage is wonderfully fragrant and useful in cooking.
When thyme blooms, it becomes a bee paradise with countless tiny flowers packed with nectar. The low-growing habit allows ground-nesting bees easy access, and the extended bloom period provides weeks of foraging. Honeybees and native bees both visit thyme enthusiastically, and the honey produced from thyme nectar is highly prized.
14. Oregano
Oregano is another culinary herb that doubles as an excellent bee plant. This perennial produces clusters of small pink or white flowers in summer if you let it bloom instead of harvesting all the leaves. It’s drought-tolerant and spreads to form attractive ground cover.
The small, tubular flowers of oregano are rich in nectar and attract a wide variety of bees. When oregano blooms, you’ll see constant bee activity, with different species visiting throughout the day. The flowers bloom over several weeks, providing sustained food, and the strong scent helps guide bees to the blossoms.
Alliums are ornamental onions with dramatic globe-shaped flower heads that bloom in late spring and early summer. These bulbs come in various sizes and colors, from deep purple to soft pink and white. They’re deer-resistant and look stunning planted in groups.
Bees love the hundreds of tiny flowers that make up each allium globe, providing abundant nectar and pollen in one convenient location. The unusual shape allows multiple bees to forage simultaneously, and the flowers last for weeks. Alliums bridge the gap between spring and summer bloomers, providing crucial food during the transition.
Heliotrope is a fragrant annual or tender perennial with clusters of purple, blue, or white flowers that smell like vanilla. It blooms continuously from summer through fall and works beautifully in containers or garden beds. The sweet scent is noticeable even from a distance.
Bees are drawn to heliotrope’s intense fragrance and abundant nectar supply. The clustered flower heads provide multiple feeding opportunities in one spot, and the tubular flowers are perfectly sized for bee tongues. Bumblebees and honeybees visit heliotrope throughout the day, especially during warm afternoons.
17. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedums are succulent perennials with fleshy leaves and flat-topped flower clusters that bloom in late summer and fall. These drought-tolerant plants thrive in poor soil and full sun, making them perfect for tough spots. The flowers transition from pale green to pink to deep red as they mature.
Late-blooming sedums are absolutely crucial for bees preparing for winter, providing nectar and pollen when few other sources remain. The flat flower heads create perfect landing platforms, and you’ll often see dozens of bees working a single sedum patch. Butterflies and beneficial insects also flock to these versatile plants.
18. Hyssop
Hyssop is an aromatic herb with spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers that bloom from mid-summer through fall. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in sunny locations and attracts numerous pollinators. The foliage has a minty-anise scent and has been used medicinally for centuries.
Bees are particularly drawn to the nectar-rich tubular flowers arranged in dense spikes. The extended blooming period provides consistent food during late summer, and the flowers are perfectly sized for various bee species. Native bees, honeybees, and bumblebees all visit hyssop regularly, making it a top choice for pollinator gardens.
19. Phacelia
Phacelia is a fast-growing annual wildflower with coiled clusters of lavender-blue flowers that unfurl as they bloom. This plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil but works beautifully in ornamental gardens too. It blooms quickly from seed and reseeds readily.
Phacelia is considered one of the best bee plants in the world, producing copious amounts of nectar and pollen. Bees visit phacelia so intensely that you’ll hear the buzzing from several feet away. The flowers bloom in succession along the coiled stems, providing weeks of continuous food for numerous pollinator species.
20. Verbena
Verbena comes in many forms, from low ground covers to tall, airy plants with clusters of small flowers in purple, pink, red, and white. These heat-loving annuals and perennials bloom prolifically from summer through frost and thrive in hot, sunny locations.
The clustered flower heads of verbena provide multiple nectar sources in one location, making them efficient for foraging bees. The flowers are perfectly sized for various bee species, and the continuous blooming ensures a reliable food supply. Butterflies and native bees especially love verbena’s long-lasting flowers.
21. Marigolds
Marigolds are classic garden annuals with cheerful yellow, orange, and red blooms that are super easy to grow from seed. They’re often planted as companion plants to deter pests, but they also provide food for pollinators. French and signet marigolds are particularly bee-friendly.
Single-flowered marigold varieties offer accessible pollen and nectar that bees can easily reach. The bright colors and strong scent attract various pollinators, and marigolds bloom continuously with regular deadheading. While African marigolds are less bee-friendly due to their double flowers, simpler varieties provide excellent food sources.
Buckwheat is a fast-growing annual grain crop with clusters of white or pink flowers that bloom within weeks of planting. It’s often grown as a cover crop but works wonderfully in pollinator gardens. The plant grows quickly, blooms prolifically, and improves soil structure.
Bees absolutely love buckwheat, visiting the flowers so intensely that beekeepers often plant it specifically to boost honey production. The flowers produce abundant nectar that’s accessible to various bee species, and since buckwheat blooms for 4-6 weeks, it provides sustained food. The resulting honey has a distinctive, robust flavor.
23. Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a native perennial wildflower with bright yellow plumes that bloom in late summer and fall. Often wrongly blamed for allergies (ragweed is the culprit), goldenrod is actually a critical late-season food source for bees. It thrives in full sun and spreads to create beautiful drifts.
As one of the most important fall nectar sources, goldenrod is essential for bee survival before winter. The dense flower clusters provide abundant pollen and nectar when few other options remain. Native bees, honeybees, and bumblebees visit goldenrod intensely, and you’ll see remarkable foraging activity on warm fall days.
24. Mint
Mint is an aromatic herb that produces spikes of small lavender, pink, or white flowers in summer. This perennial spreads aggressively, so it’s best grown in containers or confined areas. The foliage is wonderfully fragrant and useful for teas, cooking, and cocktails.
When mint blooms, bees visit the tiny tubular flowers constantly throughout the day. The flowers are rich in nectar and perfectly sized for various bee species. Native bees particularly love mint flowers, and the extended blooming period provides weeks of reliable food. The strong scent helps guide pollinators to the blossoms.
25. Poppies
Poppies are stunning annuals or perennials with papery petals in vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and purples. While they don’t produce nectar, they offer abundant pollen that bees need for protein. Annual poppies like California poppies reseed readily and create stunning displays.
Bees collect pollen from poppies by vibrating their flight muscles, a behavior called “buzz pollination.” The large, open flowers provide easy access to pollen-laden stamens, and bees emerge covered in colorful pollen. Even though poppies lack nectar, they’re still valuable for bees that need protein-rich pollen for raising brood.
26. Geraniums (Hardy Geraniums)
Hardy geraniums, also called cranesbills, are low-growing perennials with delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. These easy-care plants bloom from spring through fall and work beautifully as ground covers or in borders. They’re deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established.
Bees visit hardy geraniums for their accessible nectar and pollen, and the simple, open flower structure makes foraging easy. Different varieties bloom at different times, extending the food supply across multiple seasons. Native bees especially appreciate these flowers, and hardy geraniums support diverse pollinator populations.
27. Calendula
Calendula, or pot marigold, is a cool-season annual with cheerful orange and yellow flowers that bloom from spring through fall. The petals are edible and often used in salads and herbal preparations. Calendula reseeds readily and tolerates light frost.
Bees appreciate calendula’s accessible pollen and nectar, especially in early spring and late fall when fewer flowers are available. The bright colors and open flower structure make foraging efficient, and calendula blooms continuously with regular deadheading. The flowers close at night and during rain, protecting the pollen and nectar for when bees can forage.
28. Clover
Clover is a nitrogen-fixing ground cover that produces white, pink, or red flower heads. Often found in lawns, clover is incredibly valuable for bees and improves soil quality. Dutch white clover is particularly popular and tolerates mowing, making it perfect for eco-lawns.
Clover flowers are packed with nectar and are one of the most important food sources for honeybees and bumblebees. Each flower head contains dozens of tiny tubular flowers, and bees work methodically across them. Clover honey is mild and delicious, and allowing clover to bloom in your lawn creates an instant pollinator habitat.
Conclusion
There’s something magical about bees buzzing around the garden—their gentle hum instantly pulls me away from the daily rush and back into nature. Beyond being stress relievers, these tiny workers quietly boost the growth of vegetables, flowers, and perennials.
You don’t need to be an expert to create a bee-friendly garden. Planting a mix of vibrant, fragrant, low-maintenance flowers and herbs is all it takes to turn your backyard into a thriving pollinator paradise.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
