Funny how some what tiny things can make you smile .. give you something to look forward to in an unexpected way (even though you may have hoped for it) .. no, none of my lottery tickets have paid off big time yet ... but that is another hope ? wink wink
Black Swallowtail butterflies .. a tiny miracle happened for us about 8 years ago when I was able to hold and transfer a caterpillar/ chrysalis over winter in my fridge ... a WHOLE WINTER.
Then I followed instructions to bring it out gradually in the Spring time to see if it would break through and become that promised butterfly ... it truly was a natural miracle to us when it did.
How beautiful can it get ?
Today we have at least one instar Black Swallowtail caterpillar on the deck dill plant
They are so tiny .. so many things can happen to them ... but we are crossing our fingers that this one will survive and make it to the chrysalis stage and then become that miracle of a butterfly/
Other garden events ?
Just a few pictures before the forecasted oppressive heat/humidity from hell strikes us
The Kent Beauty oregano is coloring up
It does well in terra cotta planters I find.
I have two different very large thalictrim growing beside each other .. the awaited sprays of tiny violet flowers will look amazing.
Long view of one side of the gardens .. patches of dark and light play off each other.
A wall of clematis .. Warsaw Nike
Another unexpected smile came from a chance purchase of a little echinacea .. just on a whim
Butterfly Kisses (a recurring theme some how ?)
I love how it plays off Pinot Gris heauchera with the same tones .. they were meant to be buddies ?
A pretty pink clematis climbing onto the willow
Indian Pinks waiting their turn in the shade
Something for the late summer early Fall ... a blast of RED from a lobelia .. for now the foliage is a dramatic burgundy nestled in green foliage
So there is waiting to be done .. waiting for new life from the caterpillar ... new flowers from later bloomers ... waiting to see if the world will keep spinning with all that keeps happening.
I hope so !
13 comments:
Your garden is amazing. I love all the light and dark playing off each other. I too am fascinated by butterflies. I have bronze fennel that the Black Swallowtail likes to use as a nursery. Mine had died out a couple of years ago and I got it replaced this spring. I almost hate to encourage them to lay their eggs here. The Wrens love to feed those cats to their chicks. I think everything eats them. It is always a miracle to me when they grow big.
I often purchase a plant because of it's name. I love thalictrum. Mine has died out. Your post reminds me that I need to replant some. Try to keep cool the next week or so.
Absolutely beautiful!!! My garden has a ways to go before it's as lush as yours. I love everything, especially a chrysalis in the fridge. Amazing!
We have a lot of butterflies here this year! I love to see the different ones. It has been a fun year so far(-: Your flowers are all so beautiful as always! The Death Star has hit hard here the last few days. So far things are surviving, but no idea how long that will last. Got to enjoy while I can!
Your garden is looking amazing. It makes me want to add more foliage interest to the area at the side of my own house.
I seem to be noticing more butterflies around this year. My husband found a chrysalis and newly hatched black swallowtail this spring. The newly butterfly was a little wobbly so he was happy to hitch a ride over to my garden in my husband's hands.
Not looking forward to the heat that is forecast for Canada Day weekend. Stay cool Joy!
Lisa girl you are sweet , thank you !
I feel the same way .. butterflies go through so much to exist it is a miracle to me that they can make it to the adult stage .. for such delicate vulnerable creatures, they are ferocious in their own right. These thalictrim are a couple of years old and still holding their own (I must have made the right placement choice for once ? LOL) .. when they hold those sprays of tiny flowers .. you can't help but smile .. so beautiful.
Hope you aren't beaten down with the heat yourself .. we have actually been lucky so far so I guess we are due .. big sigh !
Tammy .. you have planned so well with your new gardens , they are going to be stunning .. I can't wait to follow them as they mature so keep those photos coming !
Yes .. that year I kept it in the fridge (only because it had been so late in the year the caterpillar was born) .. I was on edge wondering if I did the right thing .. when it was "born" we were all totally beyond amazed .. it was such a moment I will never forget.
Cindee, thanks girl ! it is always a mystery how those eggs/caterpillars end up on the plant .. we never see the adult lay the eggs .. in fact I haven't seen that butterfly in the garden but timing is everything isn't it ? the heat humidity thing is supposed to hit soon but we have had a day of rain and cooler temps to slide us into it .. yuck all the same ! Oh well .. a better year than most !
Thank you so much Jennifer .. I am always more about the foliage than the flowers .. but most of my gardens are in more shade than sun so I have to be creative with that.
Isn't that amazing how they are attracted to a human host .. that is what happened to ours .. it went right to my son's arm .. it was wonderful to watch. Glad your hubby was there to help out that one ! Yup .. heat/humidity in time for Canada Day but we got a good drenching of rain today in Kingston to slide us into the ugh! weather.
Looking forward to Fall already ! haha
Wonderful ! I love the Black Swallowtails, I grow lots of parsley, fennel, and dill for them.
Thanks Jason .. we didn't see even one last year so hopefully this year the two little ones we have will make it all the way .. I love herbs as it is so this is just a wonderful bonus to growing them ;-)
Your garden is beautiful and its so wonderful to see the Black Swallowtails. They have not arrived yet here on Long Island, but I hope to see some soon. They usually start showing up in July and August.
Thank you so much Lee .. we love these little jewels so much and we are more than happy to provide a "home" for them to go through these phases. I just wrapped my dill in cheesecloth to try and protect them from any snacking birds that might eye them .. all we can do is cross our fingers and hope they get through the process to become gorgeous adults !
I enjoyed your last post very much .. that is one awe inspiring story .. if only more communities would do that !
wow! I mean, WOW! I have never seen such a butterfly, what an incredible colour!! I have a slight phobia of all things flying and insect-y but I am getting better and love looking at photos of them now - your's is a beaut.
Isn't is lovely to see the strip between your house and the neighbours just getting better and better - you're a genius xx
Hi Joy! I think your Princess Kate clematis is lovely. It reminds me of the clematis Rooguchi a bit.
Thank you so much Carrie girl : ) .. I think I told you I have a bit of a phobia too .. with moths .. although they are all from the same family .. moths with their wing and body structure tend to both me .. silly right ? .. yup still working on the tough areas of the garden but it is always changing ... like us ? LOL
Thank you Tatyana .. it does look similar to Rooguchi doesn't it ? .. it is "growing" on me ? LOL
Oh wow, what a spectacular miracle to observe. Some beautiful combinations of flowers/foliage!
Post a Comment