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Butterfly Garden

The butterflies were posing for me

Chrissy- zone6B/7A

6 years ago

August 2017....

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Comments (6)

Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
6 years ago
How beautiful! I am missing them and can't wait for Spring. It was 7 degrees here this morning. Worried about my plants that are kind of "Zone pushing", but have done well in the recent mild winters.
PRO
Cascio Associates - Site Planning - Landscape Arch
6 years ago
Chrissy: what plants have you placed in your garden to attract pollinators?
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Well, never mind. I ended up buying two more Bobo hydrangea to offer more congruity to the area. That Peacock BB is still in the area so I'll get to enjoy those blooms right there by the Lamb's ear :0)
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You may also have some False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) nearby, which they also use as a larval host plant, and which is native here and probably Kansas as well. You can recognize the caterpillars by the "nests" they make of a folded over leaf sewn closed with silk. I am hand raising some of the caterpillars right now. If you ever wish to attract the fruit feeding butterflies that like to nectar on rotting fruit, scat, and tree sap, you can hang a rotting banana in a suet feeder (or place on a plate - the possums always steal whatever I put on a plate), and you will attract several butterflies to it, including the Red Admiral, Question Mark, Comma, Mourning Cloak (spring and fall), Hackberry Emperors. BTW, butterflies are much easier to ID than plants, IMHO, because there are fewer of them. But glad we could help you. Susan
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The Garlic Chives really attract butterflies, but it blooms for such a short, short time, doesn't it? Laura, I'm so glad to see you say that you are just now seeing eggs and hatchlings! I have collected 3 or 4, and that's all, even tho I have both male and female Monarchs - about 7 yesterday - on the Sunflowers again. They are very "fresh" looking, so not old and worn looking butterflies. I keep wondering why they aren't laying eggs. My Tropical Milkweed is looking great - aphid free for once. So, I am totally ready for them. Yesterday, I had a Mourning Cloak in the yard on the banana feeder. Very worn looking. I love these gorgeous butterflies. They are bold and unafraid. I remember photographing one a few years ago, and whenever I wanted a pic with open wings, I just tapped her on the wings and she'd open them. Fearless! I think I would pass out if I ever saw a GPH! What a wonderful sight. Susan
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Comments (15)
Thank you all for your sweet comments. I'm blushing a little. =0) We are all lucky to have something we love so much that we can share and enjoy with others. With so much trouble in the world, coming here with all of you kind and gifted gardeners gives me hope. Bungalow house- That's a great shot. He looks a little scary. Those really are Big Eyes. LOL Although that's not the one I had in mind. I found a great site listing all Nova Scotia butterflies. It has tons of butterfly information. I will post the link in case anyone is interested. I found the two I had in mind. The black one with the white strip is a White Admiral and the orange and brown one is an American Copper. I recognize many others from the list as occasional visitors. Annie- Wow, a White Tiger Butterfly, that is so special!!! I wish you were right. The White Admirals I have are common here in Nova Scotia. Kathi- I live way back in the woods and I don't have any cats. So I can't be sure. Although the Bob Cats we have back here from time to time have never touched it. It seems to me that Lavender lass posted something about her cats getting into her Catmint. Maybe someone else will know. Kay- I know what you mean about not having your camera. I have missed countless opportunities to capture great wildlife shots because my camera's sitting on the kitchen counter. Frustrating! At lest our flowers don't run from us. Keep your pictures coming Kay!!! All the hard work you put into your garden sure pays off. It's gorgeous! Carrie Here is a link that might be useful: Butterflies of Nova Scotia
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Chrissy- zone6B/7A
Original Author
6 years ago
To make a long story short... My house burned down in April and moved into my boyfriend's house with an already established mod podge'd yard and garden. Rural area, plenty of property to add whatever I do desire, and plenty of randomly aquired and randomly placed plants in the obvious places (borders, around trees, raised beds, etc.). So what is already here I can take no credit for.

Until I moved in I had absolutely no interest in plants. Now I'm obsessed and already thinking ahead to beginning my dream landscaping design.

I don't even know the iD of everything yet and I'm not sure what is considered to "attract pollinators". Hell I don't even know exactly who the pollinators are!! but here's my observations...

The butterfly bush (obviously) and they're just so beautiful and easy here in NJ and they smell so good. I want at least one more in a different color.

There are two types of bees that we have lots of and I believe I identified them correctly as Carpenter and Bumble. They can't get enough of the Autumn Joy Sedum. They also enjoyed the hibiscus. Tropical more so than the shrubs we have.

My first experience with both the plant and the insect but I fell in love with the MoonFlower Vine. I wish they could last up here but I think I will have one every year for the rest of my life haha. but the hummingbird moths loved that and the petunias.

No hummingbirds at all this year!!! Not one. Bummer. I even put out nectar and everything.

And the last I can think of is the Montauk daisies. Anything with wings seems to swarm them. They've got to be moved bc they're right next to the front steps and they smell and swarm and look nasty from the middle down. Ugh. Lots to do!!

Anything I should know? Suggestions?

I want to have a cutting garden next year

I have plenty of property, I think in going to have to plop something in the middle of the yard and then create a walkway so I can add more and help it flow well... If that makes sense? I need places to put more plants but I don't want to just set them in the middle of the lawn or on the other side of the lawn against the fence to the cow pasture an acre away.
docmom_gw
6 years ago
Plant milkweed.
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
6 years ago
docmom_gw(5) "Plant milkweed."

Where do we get he seed?
PRO
Cascio Associates - Site Planning - Landscape Arch
6 years ago
alberto

There are a wealth of seed and seedling suppliers waiting to serve you.

Here are a few that have been seeking my order lately:

prairienursery.com

pizzogroup.com

izelplants.com

parkseed.com

brighterblooms.com

and nursery.anonymous@gmail.com who have larger material as well.

Happy hunting, in a year you will be pollinator heaven.

Enjoy the beauty of native plants and doing good work for wildlife.

Joe Cascio

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