Butterflies

 Part of the joy of gardening is observing the wildlife that plants attract. Insects and birds are always in my mind when I am choosing what to plant. For inspiration I am grateful for the Nyack Garden Club's beautiful Butterfly Garden in Memorial Park on the Hudson. It is a small space, lovingly maintained and filled with mostly native plants, complete with labels, so it is truly a teaching garden.

Yellow swallowtail

This time of year the butterflies visit my garden all day into early evening. They are especially attracted to Buddleia davidii (above), Monarda didyma and Echinacea purpurea.

Black swallowtail

 

The monarchs (left) have started to arrive. If I had milkweed in the garden they might lay their eggs on its leaves. But this one will seek it out in the wild places it prefers to grow.

Below, a beautiful deep yellow butterfly that kept returning to this plant for most of one morning.

 This white butterfly arrives in small groups, here seen at rest and fluttering its wings around the Agastache, Anise Hyssop.

Not a butterfly! For several days at dusk the goldfinches have been coming to the Centaurea cyanus, eating, I think, the seed from the faded blossoms. The birds are so delicate they barely weigh down the thin flower stalks.

I have been waiting all summer for a hummingbird. Finally one appeared last week. Here is blurry picture of it approaching the Monarda. I am hoping this wonderful creature will make the garden a regular stop on its neighborhood route.

Summer Border

The mild winter, very warm spring, a few strong downpours and frequent showers have helped plants mature very quickly. Many of them are blooming earlier than their normal time, creating an explosion of color. I have planted several varieties of Monarda (bee balm) in hopes of visits from hummingbirds. This border faces south. The photo was taken facing west.

 Here, surrounding the sundial are two kinds of Monarda, 'Raspberry Wine,' and 'Pink Lace.'  yellow and red daylilies, Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Star', 'Gaura lindheimeri', Coreopsis viticella 'Moonbeam,' and annual orange Cosmos.

Annual cornflowers Centaurea cyanus, Calendula, and orange Cosmos in front of of several varieties of daylilies, Monarda,  pink Phlox paniculata (unnamed, inherited from my grandmother), white Gaura lindheimeri - a lovely little shrubby perennial with flowers that resemble small butterflies.

More cornflowers, Cosmos and Calendula with Echinacea, Artemisia and Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Russian Sage.'

Next to the sundial are potted blue Agapanthus, pink yarrow Achillea 'Little Susie,' - far right Perovskia and Artemisia 'Silver Queen'.  

A hidden feature of the garden are the many flower supports helping to prevent the tendency for most of the medium height and tall plants to flop over in heavy rain and wind. The cornflowers and bee balm are especially floppy, but even the more stiff-stemmed Echinacea will topple if not supported. Photo at left shows a simple solution available at most garden centers.  I like this kind because they come in three different heights, are easy to push into the soil, and once in place allow the plant to retain its normal shape.