Planting Today--Butterfly Plants March 24, 2013

Planting Today--Butterfly Plants

March 24, 2013

 

Pentas, in fuscia pink for nectar, attract hummingbirds also. 

 

Lavender attracts bees which kill garden pests.

 

Tropical milkweed, host of monarch butterflies' eggs.  See the caterpillar under the leaf?

"Milkweed blooms entice swallowtails, painted ladies, American ladies, red admirals, fritillaries, and hairstreaks for nectaring."  http://www.butterflybushes.com/milkweed.htm


Fennel, host plant for black swallowtail eggs

     The beginnings of my refreshed butterfly garden, plants from my local Home Depot, are waiting to be planted this morning.  Several types are needed, so you will see the major plants above that were selected:  Pentas, lavender, and tropical milkweed. 

 

     Fennel and Mexican Heather weren't available this weekend, so another trip will be needed next weekend to see if they are in stock yet.  I've got loads of zinnia seeds, the tall yellow and orange zinnias, that I'll plant among the flowers, for good measure.  Mother Nature can handle those for me.

 

     I kept several Porterweed plants in place when I cleared out the old plants last week.  Here is a photo, not my photo, and I understand the Porterweed is a hummingbird attracting plant, also.  Bees love it!

 



 

     The best part of planting a butterfly garden is the shopping part.  The hardest part is the placing and planting.  The photo below is what I hope to achieve when all of the plants are in the ground:

 

Ha-ha!  This is NOT my butterfly garden; it is the butterfly center at Callaway Gardens in Georgia!

 

 

This is more like what my garden will look like, except my garden is bordered by my sidewalk.

 

     May I encourage you to try your hand at planting something butterfly-friendly this week?  You will be rewarded with a peek into nature at its finest, and you will love the view. 

 

 

Note:  None of the photos are mine;  I got all of them from Google searches.

 

 

Click this link to see my pinterest interests. Look at the "Gardens" board, especially for some ideas. 

 

      

 



 



 

 



Clearing My Garden--Clearing My Mind March 14, 2013

Clearing My Garden--Clearing My Mind

 

March 14, 2013

 

This is what my front garden looks like.  This is not my photo, but you get the idea.

 

At least it doesn't look this sad and forlorn.  This is not my photo, but it was taken somewhere in the United Kingdom.

 

This is my own photo of my front garden.  Best feature these days is the birdbath, used by many birds and squirrels.

 

      I am going to ruthlessly rip out the raggedy plants, that used to be beautiful years ago, and clear spaces for planting new healthy plants.  I don't know where this gardening urge came from yesterday, but I started by giving my front garden a good hard look.

 

     This morning, before I leave for work at 11am, I am going to attack with a vengeance.  On my way home from work, I'm going to pick up some plants that attract butterflies and bees, purchased at my local Home Depot and my local favorite garden shop, Palmer's Nursery. 

 

      This has the same mind-clearing effect as clearing out the clutter from one's closets and cupboards.  I need to help Mother Nature reclaim the front garden, as it was over 6 years ago.  I have honestly enjoyed the years of watching nature at my front window, and I want to reclaim that pleasure. 

 

      The one feature that has remained lovely is the birdbath.  Every morning and evening I watch as the tiny finches (?), graceful mourning and ring-neck doves, woodpeckers, cardinals, and squirrels enjoy a nice drink or a short bath there.

 

      Here is what I would like for my front garden to look like after I clear and plant for the next few days:

 

 

 

      If my motivation holds out through the weekend, I'll have cleared and restored both my butterfly garden and my brain!

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests, especially my "Gardens" board. Enjoy!