Friday, July 13, 2007

Smitten

Planting Native and for the butterflies
has brought back the joy of gardening.


In the past few days I have bought 40 plants.
I have removed over 400 dead ones so I have a long way to go before I have replaced what died. I am so excited about this new endeavor.
When I walk about the yard and see new to me butterflies, like this Fiery Skipper, I am thrilled.

Seeing more Swallowtail caterpillars is very exciting.
The Bronze Fennel looks just right now.
It is in bloom so I will harvest seeds for winter flavoring.

We planted 12 Asters last night in the French Lilac bed.
They replaced the mums.

10 comments:

Mary said...

Sherry, was heat the cause of your dead plants? I have lost a tree and several other plants - some of them might return in cooler weather.

It's been so dry that I have not seen beautiful caterpillars. I keep looking. Bugs are very scarce.

I wish you a lot of fun with your new plantings!

Q said...

Dear Mary,
Spring came too early this year in my area. By the end of March my plants were in late spring bloom.
Then the April frosts came. I had nine nights of below 25 degrees. Too hot and too cold for too long made for "death"! The sap was running and trees were in bloom. Some made it others did not.
All over the mid-west this silent frost killed trees and bushes and many plants!!
Your drought is also a slow silent killer.
I understand how sad it is to watch beloved trees and plants croak!
No bugs!!??
Oh, Mary we need bugs. Bugs are good.
You need rain, regular rain, soft soaking rains.
Sending cooler temps to you, gentle rain showers, and some nice bugs!
Sherry

Chrissie said...

Hello Sherry. I was looking to see what the new moon is called:-)
The caterpillars are pretty! One of life wonders that they turn into such beautiful creatures. We have some sun today and some insects too :-)

Q said...

Dear Chris,
So glad you had rain and followed right up with sunshine.
Perfect.
Happy New Tiger Moon!
Sherry

Mary said...

Dear Sherry,

We had the April freeze, also. It tore bits away from everything and halted new growth for a month. Just when growing started, we became dry. But I will post about a rainstorm we had a few days ago. Sadly, the downpours ran directly into the sewers. Not a soaker. But it was heavenly while it lasted.

Sprite said...

*****
Ooo, new plants! That's wonderful Q!

I have not seen a Fiery Skipper before, it is lovely in color.

I just adore caterpillers, it reminds me of childhood and all it's wonders. It is so beautiful that these amazing creatures spin cocoon's and transform into magnificent winged beings. I am just awestruck by nature!

I love it~! Thank you again and again for your beautiful sharings.

L~ sprite

Deb said...

I am learning so much with my visits to you ~ names of birds, bugs & moons! :-}
Thank You dear Q.

Q said...

Dear Mary,
The April frost was so terrible! Hope you did not lose dear plants.
Your drought and downpours makes life so hard for people and birds and bugs!!
Hopefully you had a break from the heat. I will look at National Weather and see your area. I am so affected by the weather. Like a butterfly I guess....
I shall pop over and see if you put the thunderstorm post up.
I do like them.
Love,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Sprite,
Fiery Skipper is a lovely orange color. Tiny too like all the Skippers.
I am a caterpillar lover too. I look for them all the time when i am out bug hunting!
Lots and lots of new plants and more to come as I work each area. I just began my front area by the front porch. I did a sculpture with the Twisting Willow and planted some garden plox. That is for the butterflies.
Once a bed is finished I will post on Artfilled Life.
It is fun and I dirty again.
Plants are talking to me so I am ever so happy!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Deb,
If you would like more info on a butterfly just let me know. I don't do too much in the posts but I could!
I would like to encourage everyone to plant what is native in their area so the butterflies have right food!
By showing all the different butterflies maybe people will think they too would like these winged beauties in their backyards.
Thanks Deb for you kindness.
Sherry, who will need to soak in the tub just to get her feet clean before bed