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You are here: Home / Archives for butterflies

September 10, 2013

Butterfly Bush – Buddleia spp. (Buddleja)

If you're looking for a shrub that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies and also produce very sweet-smelling, attractive flowers, look no further. Butterfly bush really lives up to its name. When it is blooming, I see butterflies on it frequently. Hummingbirds seem to enjoy the nectar as well. Where to Plant a Butterfly Bush Butterfly bushes are hardy in zones 5-10 and need full sun. Once established, they don't require much water (as the … [Read more...]

/ Butterflies, Flowers & Plants, Wildlife / birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, plant identification, propagation

August 23, 2013

Turk’s Cap – Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

Turks Cap

Turk’s cap is a perennial, deciduous, shrub-like plant native to the Southeastern United States. It produces small (2-3 inch) red flowers that resemble a closed-up hibiscus. In the Malvaceae family, it is also commonly known as wax mallow, Texas mallow, manzanilla, and sleeping hibiscus, among other common names. This plant flowers in the summer and fall (from May to November) and the flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other … [Read more...]

/ Flowers & Plants, Wildlife / backyard habitat, birds, butterflies, flowers, hummingbirds, native plants, plant identification, propagation, wildflowers

August 15, 2013

Zinnias

Pink zinnia

Zinnias are annual plants in the Asteraceae family that offer a wide variety of heights, colors, and types of flowers. Zinnias are very easy to grow and require little maintenance but offer bright, showy flowers. They attract butterflies and make excellent cut flowers. Plant heights range from 6 inches to several feet tall. Zinnias can be grown in zones 1 through 10. They prefer well-drained, fertile soil and should be grown in full sun. How … [Read more...]

/ Flowers & Plants / backyard habitat, butterflies, flowers, plant identification

August 9, 2013

Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly weed

Butterfly weed grows throughout most of the United States and parts of Canada. Like its name suggests, it attracts butterflies and it especially beneficial for monarchs whose larvae feed on the leaves of the plant. It also provides a nice splash of bright orange color for your garden. Butterfly weed is drought tolerant and deer resistant. It can grow in dry soils with little trouble and prefers full sun. Although most native butterfly weed is … [Read more...]

/ Butterflies, Flowers & Plants / backyard habitat, butterflies, flowers, native plants, wildflowers

August 6, 2013

Hershey Gardens

Located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Hershey Gardens has 23 acres of gardens including a rose garden, herb garden, ornamental grasses, Japanese garden and more. My favorite, of course, was the butterfly house and perennial garden. Garden Art Sprinkled throughout the walkways were wind chimes and other garden art that added to the experience. I took a photo of some of my favorites and those that I thought might be easy to make. Container … [Read more...]

/ Garden Tours / butterflies, flowers, gardens

July 1, 2013

Giant Coneflower – Rudbeckia maxima

Giant coneflower

Rudbeckia maxima, otherwise known as the giant coneflower, is in the Asteracea family. The flower resembles a brown-eyed susan, but the petals of the flower hang down and the center is much taller. This plant can grow up to 7 feet tall. Planted in a large group, it makes a nice visual impact. These showy flowers are great for drier spots in your garden. Despite being found in moist soils in its native habitat, it is drought tolerant. I have … [Read more...]

/ Flowers & Plants, Wildlife / backyard habitat, birds, butterflies, flowers, native plants, plant identification, propagation. wildflowers

June 6, 2013

Landscaping with Texture and Color: University of Mississippi

I recently had the opportunity to visit the campus of the University of Mississippi. I was pleasantly surprised by the less-formal landscaping used on the campus. The interplay of different textures and colors created nice vignettes throughout the landscape. I took lots of photos while visiting and I think you might enjoy getting some ideas from the style of landscaping used at this university. Use of Texture and Structure The use of … [Read more...]

/ Flowers & Plants, Garden Tours / butterflies, flowers

May 9, 2013

Philadelphia Fleabane – Erigeron philadelphicus

Philadelphia fleabane is a native Mississippi wildflower in the sunflower family (Asteracea) and it looks just like a small feathery daisy or aster. I found these plants growing at the edge of one of the flower beds (that hasn’t been weeded in a while). Fleabane can be found growing throughout much of the United States and Canada. This wildflower is biennial or perennial and grows to be a couple of feet tall with multiple flowers. It prefers … [Read more...]

/ Flowers & Plants / backyard habitat, butterflies, flowers, native plants, plant identification, wildflowers

April 23, 2013

How To Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

How to attract hummingbirds to your garden with plants

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are so much fun to watch. Their mid-air acrobatics and daredevil combat flying can be very entertaining. We have planted the front yard to include many flowering plants that hummingbirds and butterflies can feed from. We also put up several feeders in the yard and have a bird bath as a water source. Hummingbirds spend many months in the Southeast. In Mississippi, we can expect them in early to mid-March and some may … [Read more...]

/ Flowers & Plants, Wildlife / backyard habitat, bird feeders, butterflies, flowers, how-to, hummingbirds, native plants, wildflowers

April 4, 2013

A Visit to the Butterfly Conservatory

I recently visited the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy. It is the best butterfly garden I have visited – and I’ve been to quite a few. The butterfly house was stocked full of flowering plants, a large variety of butterfly species (around 50 or 60), and even some really cool tropical birds. [one-half-first] Blue Morpho Butterflies Tiger Longwing Butterfly [/one-half-first] [one-half] Zebra Longwing … [Read more...]

/ Butterflies, Flowers & Plants, Garden Tours, Wildlife / backyard habitat, butterflies, flowers, hummingbirds

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About Me

Welcome! My name is Kathy and I live in Georgia Zone 7B. Gardening has always relaxed and rooted me (literally!). It's my happy place. With more than 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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