The passies are just beginning to grow back from last year's surge of butterflies. I guess I just get butterflies every other year. Is this possible? So far I have over 100 zinnias (all different sizes), fennel, parsley, blue salvia, nasturtiums, butterfly bush, butterfly weed, native California buckwheat (these bloomed this year for the first time), false indigo, mountain mahogany, two kinds of blue delphiniums, Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flowers, White Swan Purple Coneflowers, golden lantana, and winter cassia (this one won' t be ready until December). I also have five passies and am looking for one more.
I started a tube feeder feeding station for some of the native finches here. This has been a hive of activity but I am wondering if these birds are scaring the butterflies away. Can anyone suggest another plant that grows in So California that will attract the butterflies as either a nectar source or larval host? So far this year I have only seen two GF cats. It is kinda disappointing.
Any advice would be appreciated....
Thanks,
Chuck
No Butterflies this year so far
Chuck,
Don't worry...they'll be around before you know it. I don't see a lot of butterflies in my yard but have found eggs and cats...so there must have been some gravid females flitting about. Our best butterfly season is in the Fall.
Even at the parks...there is usually only an abundance of one or two species with sporadic sightings of others. Queens and Long tailed skippers are the main thing at one park. Yet, back at the ranch there are gobs of Pipevine Swallowtails. Guess it all depends on what native plants are in season.
Happy butterflying!
~ Cat
Well, of course, Chuck, I haven't a clue what would work for you in Perris, but have you studied this website for ideas? http://www.laspilitas.com/butterfl.htm
or maybe this one about the L.A. Basin butterflies: http://www.naba.org/ftp/labc.pdf
or a few other articles specifice to areas of Southern California http://www.naba.org/pubs/bgh.html
I am suffering from anxiety and impatience for a good butterfly show, too. Fairly skimpy so far here, but I'm hopeful it will pick up. I planted more milkweed--they say 45 different butterflies nectar on milkweed in our area. Apparently not the kind I have in my garden, though!
Started more MW seeds today in hopes of a bumper crop of Monarchs coming through later in the summer! Good luck. t.
This message was edited Jul 2, 2007 8:53 PM
I'm only jes now seeing your thread, Chuck ..
Have you had any flutterbyes to stop by and visit you and the yarden yet?
And more importantly - how are you doing -?-
((huggerooners))
- Magpye
Hi! I am sorry for not responding sooner. I am finally getting stabilized on my new medicine. It is harder to get around So California without being able to drive. I really don't know if there have been more or less butterflies in my garden. Since my health problems, the garden is the one to go ignored. I have weeds in my garden that I am going to have to have help with. We have a landscaping company coming in August so I will finally be able to catch up. It is kinda depressing...the heat of a So California summer plus all the weeds but I am sure that just like me, the garden will be fine this Fall.
hugs back to you, Magpye!!!
Thanks everybody,
Chuck
CB--sorry to hear you have been under the weather. Can't be much fun having to find ways to the doc and the drug store--not being able to drive... Good thing you have the landscaper coming out to rescue your garden and you will be ready for some butterflies come september. Good luck. t.
Hi Chuck! Glad to have you back! We missed ya! I hope the doctor gives you a great report with the follow-up from all the cancer treatment! Got ya still in my prayers for a 100% recovery and remission! Hang in there! Sorry I don't live closer or I would come over and do some weeding for ya! {{{{hugs}}}}
I stopped feeling sorry for myself and with my wife's help, we got the weeds from the front of the house. It only took two hours...it just looked overwhelming. Today despite temps of 92 degrees, I worked an hour for ten minutes weeding and then ten minutes resting. I completely finished a section of the backyard (albeit a small section). Now I am waiting for an hour and then I will tackle another section...ten minutes on and ten minutes off. So far this seems to work.
We have lots of GF's and the small butterflies (I don't know their names) in the backyard. They are so beautiful and so welcome.
Thanks,
Chuck
Well, sounds like you are back on the mend. And the garden, too! That's great!
That's my method for weeding, too,--10 on, then 10 admiring my progress and having an iced tea, then 10 on again!
Good to hear you are outside and doing a little bit of yard work. It's good for your mind! Sounds like you got the groove for a good pace. Don't over-do-it! Glad the butterflies were out there to greet you, too!
Thanks!! Today, I was able to work for three hours weeding...ten minutes on and ten minutes off. I feel good about the garden now. Much more to go but it is not unsurmountable. Besides, everything I do will be deducted from the landscaper...LOL. What I am really excited about is that I watched three GF females laying eggs on three of my passies that are definitely ready for it. It took them over an hour to flit about.
Thanks,
Chuck
I am so happy for you Chuck.
How fun, Chuck! Nothing like getting outside, doing a little garden work, and enjoying the beauty of nature! Makes you feel like all is right with the world! :-) Glad to hear you are getting out and about!