Butterflies in July

This year there has been a kaleidoscope of butterflies, though I could all it a "rabble" of butterflies, and "rainbow" of butterflies would also be appropriate.  There have been a wide number of large and small butterflies enjoying the flowers.  The Verbena Bonariensis, seen with a swallowtail butterfly above, have always attracted butterflies.  Nearby are the 'Stevie's Wonder' Agapanthus, which are also popular.  Even the Pineapple Lilies, Eucomis comosa are getting visitors.

However, the main attraction is the 'Blue Fortune' Agastache, which is only supposed to grow three feet tall. It towers over my own six foot height, and is three foot diameter of flower spikes. I have seen two kinds of swallowtails, and several smaller butterflies of various colors.  I have even seen one Monarch butterfly, the first for this year, as well as dozens of bees, also various types and sizes.

With the regular amounts of rain starting in spring, everything is flourishing. In these hot days, I only go out to deadhead anything that needs it, and pull out the clumps of crab grass that seem to spring up overnight.  They seem to be happy being left alone.

Praying Mantis

As the temperatures slowly cool down, trees changing color and dropping their leaves, it is the end of life for this Praying Mantis.  I saw a dead one on the sidewalk several days ago.  So I am surprised to see this one still living. 

As I work throughout the garden over the winter and spring, I often find several egg sacks, and try to not disturb them.  I wonder where it's egg sack was attached?

There is a lot of fall clean-up waiting to be done.  It is easy to leave those tasks for another day if conditions are not the best for working outside.  Also, there has been so much rain that many days require staying off of the loose, sandy sides of the ravine.  The soil must be dry enough to hold together, or both the soil and I go sliding down the slope.

More rain is predicted for tomorrow in a very wet year.

A Cloudy Day

Maria is coming up the coast, too far away to cause any wind or even rain, but it still has pulled in a heavy cloud cover.  

Much of the garden is showing the wear and tear of a long, active growing season.  The Caryopteris incana 'Sunshine Blue' is just reaching the top of its blooming cycle.  With the variegated foliage and pale blue/lavender flowers, it doesn't jump out on most days.  But today, with the soft light, it brings a sense of light into the jumble around it.  The deeply wrinkled bud of the hibiscus, Robert Fleming adds a nice deep magenta nearby.

I have prepared the garden for being away for the next few weeks.  Fortunately at this time of year with the plants preparing for cooler weather, there is no need to worry about watering or other duties while I am gone.  I wonder what will still be blooming in November?

More Fall Flowers

Just yesterday I was working in the flower bed under the magnolia tree, cleaning it out.  And I didn't see these new Colchicum speciosum flowers.  Maybe they sprung up over night?  Anyway, they are another signal of the cooling weather and the arrival of fall.  While these bulbs would much prefer a bright sunny spot, they have been very willing to grow, and multiply in this very shady spot.  After the blooms fade, they put up very large, deeply folded leaves to build the bulb back up, then all evidence of them disappears for 3-4 months in the summer.

Although it is supposed to bloom in the late spring, the Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia purpurea, is putting out a blossom.  I have never seen one of these before, and it is quite dramatic.  This is the second year we have grown this plant, and we did not expect it to survive the winter.  So it must like it on the tub on the porch.

Early signs of Autumn

Not only has temperature dropped and the summer humidity gone.  Many plants are moving into their autumn moods.  Some, like this  Cyclamen hederifolium are putting on their annual display. 

This is the only hardy cyclamen that has survived of the three I planted two years ago.  I saw the flowers this morning from the bedroom and let out a quiet cheer, because I felt such cheer seeing it.

Tree Frog

Cute, isn't he?  Or is that she?  I wouldn't know how to tell, not that this little creature would have put up with my checking.  I came home to find this Upland Chorus Frog sitting on the edge of a large terracotta pot on the front porch.  The edge of the pot is 1/2 inch wide, so that gives a sense of how tiny it is.  Looking at the linked website, they don't grow much larger.  So, tonight I listen to hear for "its call, the slow ascending scale of the sound of a finger running up a comb, Creeeeeeeeeek."

Reds in August

With the intense sunshine the garden gets during the summer, dark or intense colors work best.  Those light yellows and blues that are so appealing in the spring get washed out when the sun is ramped up.  Also, since I spend more time looking out at the flowers from the inside a cool house, they are much easier to see.

Yet, this modest Oxblood Lily, Rhodophiala bifida, hides near a peony bush and is only up for a short time.  Researching its history, it is originally from Argentina, and was planted by settlers all across Texas.  This one was planted six years ago, and has fought to keep going since one of the furry plant eaters likes the leaves, sapping its energy.  But it is tough.

Also tough, and quite visible from the house is this hardy Hibiscus, "Robert Fleming."  I dug out a large clump of roots from the now shady place where it was growing.  I moved it to the South side of the labyrinth, in a very sunny and visible space.  It has been blooming all summer, with lots of flowers. I suspect it has also be browsed by our new deer, but the new individual pickier in eating habits, so there is a lot less damage.