Buzzing, Flitting and Fluttering

Buzzing....

Spotted Horsemint has gotten way out of hand over by the veggie bed.  It really brings in the bees and other buzzing insects though.

Flitting...

A busy female ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummer I've ever seen.   Always just one at a time.  Could she be the same one?  Last year I saw her from March until October.  This year it sure looks like the same bird.  She has been flitting through the garden several times a day since February this year.  I would love for her to bring along some friends. The red firespike is her favorite flower.  I'm glad I have spread it around in several places.

Fluttering...

Crimson pentas are one of the best butterfly attractors planted in my garden.  I can always count on finding butterflies where they are blooming.

Now that summer is at its end and the temperature is at its highest, more of the buzzing, flitting and fluttering creatures are visiting the garden.  I enjoy seeing this flurry of  activity as much as I enjoy seeing the flowers.

Late July

My Garden Path is being encroached upon by some very boisterous plants.  The rainfall we received this month  has provided the garden with just what it has been needing to fuel growth.

Some areas have gotten out of hand but trimming and tidying will have to wait until there is at least a little respite from the oppressive heat and humidity.  In the meantime, I'm enjoying the jungle look.  I'm always amazed that the bareness of winter is transformed into the fullness of summer in the garden.

It's important to get out and see just what is going on along the Path.  Even if it is hot, a morning or evening stroll is a must.  If  I hadn't been out checking the garden,  I would have missed this sulphur butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

Gingers and bananas are leaning over the pathway and reminding me that I really would like to move them to the side a little more.  It's easy to forget to move them after they go dormant for the winter, but that's the easiest time to do so.

This area is full of foliage from summer-loving coleus, gingers, caladiums and the huge leaves of rootbeer plant.  In the winter the liriope, leatherleaf fern, mondo grass, beautyberry, and sanseveria will keep things from being completely bare.

The bog garden is still not boggy, but it sure is happy with the regular rainfall we've been having.  I actually prefer not having standing water but I like having plants in this area that can take it if it comes.

The shady areas of my garden, under the canopy of the oaks, are certainly cooler than the areas with full sun, but it is still awfully hot out there.  This is the time of year I enjoy the view from the back porch while sitting beneath the ceiling fans.  

Butterfly Babies

Certain plants are planted here at My Garden Path to be larval food for the many butterflies that add their beauty to the garden.

Dill, parsley, and rue were planted to attract the Black Swallowtail butterfly.  So far, dill has been the favorite choice.

When this chrysalis was formed the dill was alive and green.  Now, the bright green chrysalis really stands out against the brown seed head.

This beautiful butterfly is a favorite of mine.  I love the way they just seem to float in the air.  I am always amazed that each type of butterfly has its own favorite plant for larval food and the female of each species finds that particular plant for egg-laying.

How this Monarch chrysalis ended up attached to a leatherleaf fern I have no idea.  The milkweed that is the larval food for the Monarch caterpillar is at least 30 feet away.  Other chrysalises were attached to the fence right next to the milkweed. 

There are many reasons I love gardening.  Sharing my love of nature with the grandchildren is #1.

Fall Flutterings

Scarlet Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, is planted in various locations throughout My Garden Path with the specific intent of attracting the Monarch butterfly. 

Because the voracious caterpillars defoliate it to the bare stems, it is tucked behind other plants and in out of the way places.  Here, it is in a small space between the air conditioning unit and the wood fence.

These hungry caterpillars made quick work of gobbling up this clump of the Milkweed.  Because this Monarch baby nursery is next to the veggie bed, I've been able to enjoy watching the progression of the Monarch life cycle these last few weeks as I tend to the fall garden.  

It is rare that I find a chrysalis.  But here I found two!   It is so amazing to watch the green turn to clear and be able to see the newly formed butterfly within. 

Watching the changes of these chrysalides as I went about watering and harvesting from the veggie bed was such an amazing experience.  I never tire of seeing all the intricacies of God's creation. 

How happy I was to not have missed the debut of the newest Monarch at My Garden Path!

My June Faves

On the 25th of every month Simply Susan! posts favorites from her garden for the month.  I'm joining in on the fun. 

Okay, I know these aren't flowers, but they are ON flowers.  Blue plumbago, milkweed, zinnias and pentas seem to be the favorite flowers for the butterflies this month.  That makes them favorites of mine too.

The cannas began blooming just this week!  I love when they bloom as they fill in the back fence area with big blooms that can be seen from the back porch.  Late in the summer last year a hummingbird would visit them .  I haven't seen any hummingbirds yet this year but I'm hoping that, now more flowers are blooming, they will come. 

Go on over to Simply Susan! and see what's filling other gardeners with joy this month.

Butterfly Gardening

The sunny area just off the back porch has been dedicated to butterfly attracting plants and roses. 

Spires of salvia, rosettes of verbena and sweet smelling buds of roses and jasmine all mingle together in this spot.

The sun shines on beach daisy and passion vine.

Belinda's Dream is getting ready to pop!

(Have I mentioned how much I love this rose?)

Zinnias in both brights and pastels are growing between the roses.  Lavender spires of African blue basil grow beside a pot of orange-red geraniums. 

Bright, enticing colors and scents singing a siren song......

...luring in the just as colorful flying flowers.

 Ahh..Spring!