A long winter ended with an explosion of tulips and Spring. The rush of planting, mulching and revitalization began..then all at once it seemed, the weather steamed. Too hot to work, but not to enjoy.
A garden of many native plants, geared to the feeding and protection of wildlife, provides entertainment and delight, and a hope for continued biodiversity.
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July! Clematis, Salvia cocinea (native), Stella D'oro Daylilly |
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It's summer..aren't you a Spring Azure? |
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Yes! A Spring Azure, summer form! Celastrina argiolus. On Hydrangea buds. |
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Tiger Swallotails arrive Papilio glaucus.
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Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata opens. This native milkweed attracts many pollinators, and is a Monarch larval host. |
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Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes. They breed here, on Parsley and Bronze Fennel |
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Every butterfly garden needs larval hosts. Not just nectar plants |
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Finally! The Ruby Throated females arrive! The "Hummingbird Beacon" sports Scarlet Runner Bean, Cardinal Climber and Hyacinth Bean Vine in order of bloom. |
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Zinnias are native to Mexico. |
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Once native Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis blooms it is the Hummingbird's favorite! |
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Native plants tend to bloom later in the season. I've yet to succeed in attracting spring hummers. |
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I never knew Borage attracted hummers. Borage officinalis self-seeds every year. It is a mediterranean native, which has naturalized.
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Garden impression. Zinnia and Cardinal flower. |
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Beebalm, Monarda genus, is also a favorite native plant of Hummingbirds |
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Tattered Silver Spotted Skipper |
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Isn't this more fun than a lawn?? |
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Birds fledged in the garden. Blue Jay, Cyanocita cristata. |
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Grumpy Cardinal fledgling. Cardinalis cardinalis |
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Sunflowers feed the bees. |
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Then the Goldfinches. |
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Carduelis tristis
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A life-moth dropped by. The diurnal Orange Spotted Pyrausta orphilsalis. On False Oregano |
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Late July now, Echinacea purpea bloom. |
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A tattered American Painted Lady, Vanessa virginiensis |
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Liatris ligustylis opens. Liatris genus is a favorite native of pollinators. A West Virginia White, Pieris virginiensis, has landed. |
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August! The Monarchs finally arrive! On Liatris aspera |
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I hold my breath every year until they arrive! |
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Daunus plexippus There was a mating pair this year! |
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A Great Spangled Fritillary, Speria cybele on New York Iron Weed, Veronia noveboracensis. A Fritillary is a rarity in this garden! |
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Summer winds down. |
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I am tattered and torn.. |
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See you next year.. |
To paraphrase Sara Stein.. Our gardens are now the Ark.
Please plant for wildlife!
What a wonderful array of floral, avian and entomological captures!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Linda! I am honored that you stopped by!
DeleteIt's all very beautiful, full of life and hope for the small beings,that rejoicing us, life, thank you for being part of a system that cost as much to keep.💜💜
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias hermana 💜. Acabo de ver tu comentario! Gracias por tus palabras amables!
DeleteNoah with a showboat, that's who you are. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHa! Just saw this. That's what I get for turning off Gmail ( they want too much access)..Thanks for stopping by..
DeleteLike your posts so much. Spectacular hummingbirds pics!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so kind! Thank you!
DeleteGreat photos but I especially love seeing the hummingbird photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Larry.. Spoken like a true birder!
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