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Updated on March 31, 2020

5 Fun Things to Do in Your Backyard During Social Distancing

Our daily lives are very different than they were just a few weeks ago. We have added new terms like “social distancing“ and “flatten the curve” into our daily lexicon. For many of us, it has been two weeks or more since we left our homes. As a result, you might feel like the walls are starting to close in just a little. Getting outdoors to enjoy some fresh air, to get a little exercise, and to find something beautiful in nature that makes … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies, Projects and Ideas, Tips

Updated on April 5, 2018

Early Spring Flowers for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies

Eastern tiger swallowtail on creeping phlox

This early spring sky is filled with butterflies! I am seeing so many eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus) feeding on  colorful spring flowers that it has really brightened my days. Eastern tiger swallowtails are quite large - with a wingspan of 3 to 5.5 inches and with their bright yellow wings with blue spots, they put on quite a show. If you want to bring them to your garden, there are some early spring flowering plants … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies, Shrubs / butterflies, ground cover, native plants, shrubs, spring, spring flowers, vines

Updated on January 5, 2018

Are Monarchs the only Butterflies That Migrate (in North America)?

Recently emerged Gulf Fritillary butterfly

The orange and black colors of a monarch butterfly are so well-known and we keep an eye out for them each year. It is common knowledge that these butterflies migrate from their nesting grounds in Mexico into the northern United States and back each year. But did you know there are other butterflies the migrate? The most prominent display of migratory butterflies in my garden each year are the Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanilla) and the … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies / butterflies

Updated on September 12, 2017

A Weekend Surprise: Butterfly Hatching

Recently emerged Gulf Fritillary butterfly

The Friday night air had hints of fall weather to come and Saturday morning, I opened the windows to my house, letting the fresh breeze in. I love being able to open my windows and let the fresh air blow through the house. This weekend was full of cool breezes and sunny weather. It was a perfect glimpse of the fall weather to come and a great time to get outdoors. We Mississippians give up being outdoors for much of August. We just can't stand … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies / backyard habitat, butterflies, native plants

Updated on August 29, 2017

How to Attract and Feed Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterflies

Female black swallowtail butterfly feeding on zinnia

One of the greatest joys I get out of my garden is watching the insects and wildlife that is attracted to the flowers and plants. I know that some of my plants will be consumed by these critters, but I’m willing to share. This week, I stumbled across this little black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) munching in my carrot patch. These little guys have such a bright green color and the yellow and black spots on them seem to hint at … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies / backyard habitat, butterflies

Updated on September 9, 2016

The Scott Sisters – Natural History Art

Scott Sisters Exhibit at the Australian Museum

Harriet and Helena Scott - Australian Lepidoptera and Their Transformations In the mid-1800's two Australian sisters created stunning natural history illustrations for the publication of their father's book. I was fortunate to be able to see the exhibit of unpublished plates in the Australian Museum and I spent hours poring over the intricacies of the artwork. There are two volumes of their work. Volume 1 was published in 1864 and Volume II … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies / butterflies, illustrations

Updated on April 23, 2017

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

I have to say that I love this plant. Nothing says 'good morning to you' like a bright orange flower. But it's not just me! The hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies have all cast their votes too. Just this afternoon I saw a ruby throated hummingbird feeding on one of the flowers. Tithonia is great for attracting and feeding pollinators. Mix it in with a few zinnias and you'll have a busy garden. This is my first year really growing Mexican … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies, Flowers & Plants / annuals, bees, butterflies, full sun, hummingbirds

Updated on August 2, 2016

The Butterflies are Back!

Eastern tiger swallowtail feeding on Tithonia

This summer, the butterflies have been noticeably absent. While I have seen some smaller butterflies, like these pearl crescents that were mating among the four o'clocks in my front garden, the larger beauties were just missing. It's been a strange summer. The temperatures got high very early in spring and they really haven't gone down. As I sit here and type this, the forecast for the next three days range from 97 to 99 with heat indices … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies / butterflies, Summer, wildlife

Updated on April 23, 2017

Stokes Aster – Beautiful and Blue

Stokes aster

A few years ago, I acquired a new plant that has quickly become one of my favorites - Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis). These stunning purple-blue flowers simply captured my heart. I really like incorporating native plants and flowers into my garden. They are easy to grow and very hardy AND they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. [Read my top five benefits of gardening with native plants] Additional, some native plants are very interesting … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies, Flowers & Plants / butterflies, flowers, full sun, native plants, Summer, wildflowers

Updated on September 21, 2018

Spotted Jewelweed: Touch-me-not plant

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

If you've got soil that stays wet most of the time, then this is the plant for you. It's native to most of the lower 48 states and it prefers shade to part-shade - even better! In its native habitat, you'll find it alongside roads in ditches that stay wet most of the time, alongside a river or stream, in wetlands or boggy places, and in other moist soil areas. It prefers shady areas, though it can take some morning sun. Wildlife Uses The … [Read more...]

Article by Garden Experiments / Butterflies, Flowers & Plants, Wildlife / bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moist soil, native plants, part shade, shade plant, wildflowers

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About Me

Welcome! My name is Kathy and I live in Mississippi Zone 7B. Gardening has always relaxed and rooted me (literally!). It's my happy place. With over 25 years of gardening, I am far from an expert, but I learn from all my experiments. This blog talks about the plants, backyard critters, and more that have made my garden special. Read More

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