I went out after work to take some photos for Jean's Bloomin' Tuesday. After a cloudy, rainy weekend, the butterflies were out in full force. When a neighbor girl got off her school bus, she came over and enjoyed the flying flowers with me. We were in awe of them flying around us, and at the number of butterflies on the butterfly bush. There are still lots of flowers blooming, not realizing that their days are numbered. I posted lots of them for GBBD, so I made myself limit the number in this post.
I included this photo first, because I'm not sure if I've posted photos of the nicotiana and lobelia growing by the front porch, even though they've been blooming most of the season.
The switchgrass, 'Prairie Wind' was a couple inches tall and wide when I planted it this summer.
I had to include this poor bedraggled Mexican sunflower with the beetle under the monarch.
I don't get tired of taking photos of butterflies. They sure are enjoying the dahlias.
I decided to tie the love lies bleeding to the butterfly stake to prevent it from falling down in the wind. The blooms on the kiss me over the garden gate on the left are lighter weight, but I did tie up the ones in the east bed in front.
This has been a great year for the lisianthus plants.
The zebrina mallow volunteers have been small for a couple years, but are now large enough to bloom.
These are volunteer salvias, I think, from the stems I laid down from a flower bed at church a few years ago. That's a silver spotted skipper on one of the blooms.
Here's another skipper.
This red admiral was one of the butterflies thrilling the neighbor girl and me on the butterfly bush.
We counted at least 5 monarchs. Can you see there are 2 in this photo?
I planted this zigzag goldenrod last year. It didn't get big enough to bloom, but did this year. The insects seem to be enjoying it.
The asters are starting to bloom. I am determined to enjoy fall, even though I dread the season that comes next.
The rigid goldenrod is almost finished blooming.
I thought the sweet autumn clematis in this spot had died last year, but it is back, looking fine.
I hope you are having a good week, and are able to be out in your gardens.
I included this photo first, because I'm not sure if I've posted photos of the nicotiana and lobelia growing by the front porch, even though they've been blooming most of the season.
The switchgrass, 'Prairie Wind' was a couple inches tall and wide when I planted it this summer.
I had to include this poor bedraggled Mexican sunflower with the beetle under the monarch.
I don't get tired of taking photos of butterflies. They sure are enjoying the dahlias.
I decided to tie the love lies bleeding to the butterfly stake to prevent it from falling down in the wind. The blooms on the kiss me over the garden gate on the left are lighter weight, but I did tie up the ones in the east bed in front.
This has been a great year for the lisianthus plants.
The zebrina mallow volunteers have been small for a couple years, but are now large enough to bloom.
These are volunteer salvias, I think, from the stems I laid down from a flower bed at church a few years ago. That's a silver spotted skipper on one of the blooms.
Here's another skipper.
This red admiral was one of the butterflies thrilling the neighbor girl and me on the butterfly bush.
We counted at least 5 monarchs. Can you see there are 2 in this photo?
I planted this zigzag goldenrod last year. It didn't get big enough to bloom, but did this year. The insects seem to be enjoying it.
The asters are starting to bloom. I am determined to enjoy fall, even though I dread the season that comes next.
The rigid goldenrod is almost finished blooming.
I thought the sweet autumn clematis in this spot had died last year, but it is back, looking fine.
I hope you are having a good week, and are able to be out in your gardens.
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's possible to ever tire of taking Butterfly photos, they're just too beautiful not to; I know I was obsessed when we had loads in the garden too, even now when I see the odd late visitor I can't stop myself taking photos of them :)
Oh, Sue! What a glorious paradise you have created. This was an absolutely super visit! That picture of the butterfly with the beetle below is prizewinning! I'm so glad your neighbour's daughter was able to enjoy the beauty you have created as well! It's always so nice to be able to share ones passion for gardening and nature with a like-minded soul. I am so envious of your beautiful lisianthus blooms! I absolutely love that colour. You have so much colour and so many blooms. Your garden just keeps on producing its magic.
ReplyDeleteOur butterflies are pretty much gone since the onset of cold night time temps. It's nice to see them on your site.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love it when the children take an interest? You always have quite the assortment of plants and blooms. May I inquire as to if you collect seeds from your Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate and Love Lies Bleeding? I am very interested and will trade seeds with you or send you a start of something if I have anything you are interested in...Darla
ReplyDeleteThe butterflies are beautiful. I especially like the one with the underside of the zinnia. Love the purples, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, Love the lisianthus and the butterflies!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Love the lisanthus. I think that is one of the seeds I ordered this year. Your gardens are still so pretty. Lucky you to have so much butterfly action. My butterfly bush looks puny upside your awesome big plant. What is your secret. Butterflies came around and were active but there weren't many and they didn't hang around long. Did you fertilize?
ReplyDeleteWe have sure been enjoying our butterflies this fall too!! It won't be long and we will all be dreaming about next spring :-)Though I am not a fan of winter. .I really enjoy the blessings that 4 seasons bring to our family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous display you have. Love the butterfly on the zinnia shot from underneath. Enjoy fall while it's here!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post made touching by the involvement of the neighbor gal. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed all your butterfly photos. You still have so much color in the garden. Beautiful! Jean
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, you really have a lot of blooms there, no wonder the butterflies keep coming. Although i noticed most of the butterflies posted in blogs are the monarchs, unlike here where we have a lot of species. Or maybe the monarchs are the most conspicuous that's why they are the most photographed. I saw in Randy Emitt's butterfly site that there are also lots of butterflies there, or maybe depends on the area.
ReplyDeleteAbout your query on the sweet potato tops, actually we use the tops, which means all the not-too-fibrous portions, including leaves and stems. We don't even separate the parts, just include altogether. They will just wilt anyway! Thanks for your many comments in my post too.
What a lovely selection of butterflies visiting your garden. I think it's wonderful you encourage the children of the neighborhood to join in the fun, too. I have never had much luck with butterfly photography but it's apparent you have. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen as many fluttery creatures this year as others
ReplyDeleteI had no idea monarchs liked dahlias! My solidago(goldenrod) hasn't bloomed yet. But's it's been so cool and rainy here I wouldn't be surprised if it and the asters bloomed soon.
ReplyDeleteThe monarchs are migrating through here in South Kansas as I write. Can't get mine to set still. ha.
ReplyDeleteWonderful butterflies. I hardly see them here in Italy.
ReplyDeleteNice to know they will be making there way south! They must be thrilled with so much variety to choose from in your gardens!
ReplyDeleteI had clematis last year that died also(maybe over prunned) but came back this year...don't get it.
ReplyDeleteYour zebrina mallow sure is an eye catcher.
Loving all the butterflies !
Your love lies bleeding looks wonderful! Mine only grew about a foot this year for some reason. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
You never get tired of photographing butterflies, and I never get tired of looking at them! I've finally seen a Monarch in my garden this past weekend. I've got tons of milkweed, I hope she laid eggs!
ReplyDeleteBTW - I love that zebrina mallow. I'm not familiar with it, but love the look of it.
ReplyDelete