What good is spicebush? For starters, it's beautiful. But beyond that, planting it can bring you the spectacle of spicebush swallowtail caterpillars developing in your yard.

Who knows how long a compass plant incorporated into campus landscaping will live? As it turns out, that question has been answered.

If you're interested to do your part for monarchs by planting milkweed in your garden, maybe you could be convinced to support other wildlife with beautiful native plants in your home landscape. Tune in for thoughts on the why and how of doing so.

Have you been scouring catalogs looking for the perfect plants to get started in your garden this spring? This hour on Focus, we talked with Sherrie Snyder, a master naturalist and the President of Illinois Prairie Wild Ones, about the benefits of incorporating native plants in your yard and garden. Sandy Mason, UI extension horticulture expert, also joins the show.