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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 12, 2003

I just couldn't stand it any longer. I spent yesterday out in the yard working on my gardens. Most plants are dormant now, but some things (especially Ruellia caroliniana, Tradescantia ohiensis, and Bidens Alba)are starting to sprout and need to get under control. It was a wonderful day to garden. Nice clear, sunny day with a light breeze. And it wasn't too hot (about 70F). I think I'm going to have to go after the dollarweed with some Roundup--much as I hate to use any chemicals. When I cleared the grass out for my butterfly garden expansion, it really started to take over! Here are some before and after shots of my expansion...

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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 12, 2003

I had a sidewalk that went absolutely no where and grass that I couldn't keep alive. So I put in some flowers, herbs, and a few select shrubs to draw in those flying flowers we all love :) Here's what it looked like this summer after the ripping and tearing of turf (and tree roots)...

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weeds Panhandle, FL(Zone 8a) Jan 12, 2003

Hey BG, that is looking good. I love that bench.

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lupinelover Grove City, OH(Zone 6a) Jan 13, 2003

"not too hot" I am drooling with envy. Today I braved and spent an hour total outside, it almost got up to 30. -shivering in the cold up here and envying you so much!!!!

Your landscape looks wonderful now; I can picture it in a couple more years when things have had a chance to mature. Lots and lots of things for butterflies and hummers :)

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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 13, 2003

A large swallowtail ventured through the yard today. I didn't get a good look to tell if it was a Giant Eastern or a Tiger swallowtail. I get them both and they are equally large. He was a beauty!

C'mon down and you can help me weed and plant more gardens. I'm just starting to work on the back yard. It's a veritable blank slate. It sure feels good to get my hands back in the dirt :)

Weeds--this was at it's prime this summer. It's a lot of "sticks" right now. My porterweed has all been frosted back to the stems. I'll have to cut them back in a few weeks. Hopefully we won't get a hot spell and a lot of rain in the meantime that gets them growing. My helianthus has long since died off, as have the gaillardia. I have some salvia that is still around, a few pathetic milkweeds, and lantana. In a few months, everything will be greened up and growing again. I can't wait to get all the butterflies back in the garden. I can go and sit a spell on my little bench to watch them flutter about. Maybe snap a photo or two...

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