Thanks for the info, becky. Do you have a lot of nectaring flowers as well as MW in your garden?
Monarch Fall Migration Mapping?
I have pentas, porterweed, zinnia, lantana, budelia (butterfly bush), golden dewdrop, plumbago, basil, and quite a few host plants such as milkweed (which are also a nectar plant for many butterflies), dill, parsley, passion flower vine, cassia, etc.. Basically, I grow native butterfly plants for my zone and region. I found out which butterflies live in 9B and then plant the native host and nectar plants. I also just started gardening for hummingbirds. (Though I've yet to see any. But I'm determined to charm migrating hummers into my yard eventually!) And the biggest surprise of all in my new gardening endeavor is water gardening. I am hooked!
To any NEW gardeners - I only started gardening 2 years ago after we were hit in 2004 by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. We had damage and I found it frustrating and stressful to deal with the repairs needed by my neighbors and my own family. I needed something that I felt was "positive and basically stress-free" to do in my "spare" time. (Not that I have alot of spare time since I am working full time, with teenage children, and a hard-working husband who works long hours.) I discovered after Jeanne hit that our fence, our 3 palm trees, and our yard were destroyed. We were hit by numerous tornadoes during that storm. But soon after .... I witness an amazing thing - my few small gardens (and I do mean few and small) which were buried under debris .... survived! Also surprisingly, our 2 Oak trees survived even after being stripped of leaves and branches during the 2 hurricanes. Our yard literally looked like a bomb when off in the middle of it. As we cleared away the debris and set about restoring our lives, I was delighted to see my roses, night blooming jasmine, and daylilies come back and they bloomed like never before! I took it as a sign of hope.
Gardening soon became a passion which is something I absolutely enjoy and love 2 years later. We restored and resumed our lives. I now feel "lucky" to have been through such devastation because I've come to appreciate nature and the simple things in life so much more. I've always loved flower gardens, but figured I didn't have a "green thumb". Guess what? I DO have a green thumb! It was just a matter of doing some research on native plants and where to get them and then where to plant them. I also get books from my library, check out garden designs on BHG and other websites, and ocassionally buy gardening magazines. In fact, some of my best ideas have come from magazines and forums such as this one! I love the photos that everyone shares of their gardens and plants here. It really is very helpful. Thank you to all who dare to do that! I know there are many "lurkers" out there who rarely ever even post here. LOL! My advice - JUMP ON IN HERE!!!
I am a new subscribing member to DG. I used to browse it but couldn't get all the forum replies, so decided to spend the money to join. I'm glad I did!
This community of butterfly lovers is wonderful! There is always something to learn from each of you! Thank you!
This message was edited Oct 8, 2006 1:19 AM
Welllllll .. sure nuff, Becky !!
A big ol 'hearty' wecome to DG .. to ya, kiddo!!
- Magpye
Can someone tell me what butterfly, or moth, cats roll themselves up in grape leaves? I have hundreds of them. John
Becky~
I can tell already we are sisters from different mothers... I have a similar background in gardening wherein gardening saved my life. I lost a little one 5 months into pregnancy and was lead outsde to grow things..longer story but enough for you to know what I mean. And I also have been parusing DG for years but when it became restrictive I just had to subscribe.. Anywho~~ just wanted you to know that your story touches me and I am glad you shared as much.
I love to go outside, work and watch all that goes on ...I agree it is the best! I used to just go out there and enjoy it all by myself, but having this forum to share in...with people who are as anxious to see what you have done and seen, as you are to share it with them....well, that's some rich icing on the cake.:oD
Monarch watch: I have seen at least a dozen coming though here in the last few days.. Thank God they haven't found my milkweed yet, it doesnt have enough leaves yet to support more than a couple babies right now. They did find th Buddelia though..
Welcome to the 'neighborhood' Becky ~ and what a wonderful example of a hearty spirit you display! I'm a transplant from Florida (born and bred native) myself. You'll find the people here helpful, enthusiastic and sharing - and most of all encouraging. Plus, the collective wealth of knowledge is simply incredible.
I look forward to what you bring to the forums, glad to have you here!
~Sunny
Everyone - Thank you for the warm and encouraging welcome!
Deb - I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your child. (I've been there, too, unfortunately.) That's much more devastating than having property damage from a couple storms. I'm glad you have found some peace through gardening. It has certainly been my saving grace these past 2 years! I only wished I had discovered gardening sooner. :-)
One of my favorite routines to do now is sit out on my back porch first thing in the morning and listen to the birds, watch the bees & butterflies, and breathe in the fresh morning air. My own little slice of heaven! (And then reality hits and I head off to work. LOL!)
becky--good to hear your gardening story and to find out you derive some goodness from 'life's challenges' and we're glad you've emerged from the 'lurkers' hide-out! Sounds like you have a wonderful butterfly garden going, there, with lots of visitors! (and I hope you're saving seeds!).
Your approach to creating a butterfly garden (and I don't mean the hurricane devistation!) is pretty logical and methodical--finding out what BFs are in your area and then planting the host plants for them. Like someone said: "Plant it and they will come"! (We should make a movie!)
I just saw a butterfly video that suggested the same approach and it makes a lot of sense. I have to admit I was not so quick on the uptake and basically planted a hodge podge of butterfly nectar plants two years ago and then realized I should have some host plants too..It took me nearly three years of BF gardening to figure that out! (not as quick as you all are!)
And I agree, DG is a wonderful community of gardeners, with so much to learn and teach about gardening (and about life.) Thankyou for plunking down your subscription fee and joining in. Your comments have already made a difference!
Just posted similar message on the butterfly seed exchange thread, probably should have been here. I had a flock of butterflies spend the day in my backyard on October 3 this year. I counted 24 at one time. They spent the day on my Michelmis daisies (asters) and then the next day they were gone.
Excellent Cindy, share those great pics in this thread too! Wtg!
Deb
hello all
I would like to know about ya's butterfly weed, I was going to plant it in the ground, a friend told me that she would leave it in the pot due to the fact it will die back to root and it takes so long to come back! It has blooms and so much new growth on it now I hate to start all over spring! what should I do???
Thank You
Jesse
Jesse - I don't have butterfly weed. But I do have Scarlet Milkweed. It also dies back every winter and comes back in the Spring and continues to grow and bloom until the next winter. It comes back pretty quickly and I often have to cut it back to the ground several times a year because it grows so tall. It comes back quickly each time using a slow-release fertilizer and ocassionally watering. I'd plant it in a sunny spot in your yard and see what happens! It should also get seed pods so that you can start more. :-) Monarch Butterflies use it as a host plant!
Jesse, butterfly weed has a tap root so it will get bigger in the ground than a pot. I don't know if it comes back slower than in a pot, but I agree with Becky...it grows fast!