I'm doing a pilot project at my Hospice . If it looks good and gets a good response, I hope to be able to co-opt more of the evil sod for a butterfly garden. Because it is a health care business, the setup must look nice- always. No ratty chewed Passies, ideally evergreen but I can make a case for winter tepee art structures.. I need to plant a vining nectar plant in the same tepee with the passies so everyone is happy. Ideas? I thought of MG as a fallback but don't think Bflies care for them so much. Confederate Jasmine might work, will have to trim a bunch. Would like to plant Sweet peas on there but aren't they host plants too? Or just native peas plants?
Thanks,
Maggie
need Vining compositae nectar flower
How about Mexican Flame Vine (senecio confusus)? It stays pretty. Mine even went through our freeze, and just the tips got burnt. It has since recovered, and it does attract butterflies. : ) You will probably have to trim it every now and then.
~Lucy
Great!. I like that! Now, is there anything similar in the pink/blue category so as not to clash with the Passiflora?
Thanks Lucy,
Maggie
I was thinking Mex. flame, too :(......would it clash or would it contrast? Contrast is good :)
Contrast is good if it's in the right family. Cadmium orange and passiflora red violet I don't think will work. Maybe I can just encourage the cats to eat the passy flowers first.
Maggie
Maggie - My passion vines bloom in late summer/early fall. My Mexican Flame vine is blooming now. Maybe if they bloom at different times/seasons of the year, it won't be a color coordinating problem? BTW - Hummingbirds LOVE MGs!!!!
Hey BG-
I didn't know that. I like the idea of different bloom times. I'll plant MGs then.
Thanks for the heads up,
Maggie
Becky...I love the Flame Vine, jealous that you have it blooming now. It freezes and dies sometimes here in N TX. It and the Passion vine sound like a great combo.
Maggie you will have to show what you end up with.