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.