Butterfly Garden Dreamland: A Photo Journal

How do I even begin? What can I say that has not already been said about such glorious wonders of nature?

Elegant, fragile bits of the rainbow that flit from blossom to blossom dawdling only briefly till they are called away to some enchanting new beauty.

Please walk with me into my friend's butterfly dreamland----one I have been fortunate enough to visit frequently in recent weeks.

Nature and all things of nature awaken within me a joy that is unparalleled except for the love for my family and friends.

The kiss of the morning breeze begins my day even when it is dripping with moisture which has been the case most of this summer.

It has been my good fortune to have met a most remarkable lady who has become a new friend. Her home is situated on a lake and she has even invited more of it closer in to her property's edge...a kind of a lake within a lake...a minilake??

The scene when viewed from her back deck is calming and replinishes the soul...

The front of her property is what holds my attention to the greatest extent.

There she has created a butterfly garden that rivals some I have viewed in botanical gardens.

Visiting her home over about an eight week period it has been delightful to see the plants grow and flourish. Of course as that has happened, butterflies have gotten the message and have flocked to the area.

Her garden is probably about 40 feet in length and about 8 feet deep.

She has chosen many plants that are customarily thought of as plants that attract not only butterflies but also bumblebees and hummingbirds.

When they are in bloom, which has been most of the last two months, and they are still going strong, the landscape is alight with the colors of those mostly tiny blossoms and the guests who are attracted to them as if by some invisible magnet.

This magnificent collection of vibrant flowers offers respite for travelers who happen by to visit each blossom as we onlookers have our own private little glimpse of nature at her best.

It is not possible to pass through that portion of her yard without pausing to be entertained by the wonders that quietly go about their business of living.

How delightful it is when a colorfully arrayed butterfly swooshes over and lands on a cheek or arm!!!

It is as if I am invited for a moment, only the briefest moment, into her world. and then, just that fast, her diaphanous wings carry her off to yet another destination.

According to Peterson First Guides for Butterfly and Moths....

Common nectar plants are:

• buddleia
• marigold
• zinnia
• lilac
• lantana
• butterfly milkweed
• asters
• mints

Additionally plants already mentioned attract butterflies in profusion as well.

There are particular plants that are known to attract such wonders to our gardens. A few that my friend has in her garden are:

salvia, buddleia, fluttterby petite, petchoa, sentimental blue balloon, and blanket flower.

In my yard I have lantana growing profusely so I have a mini-butterfly zone... The lantana is growing about 7 feet tall and about six feet wide in one area and in another area there is a small bush only about 3 feet high and a foot wide..but butterflies flock to both areas, seemingly thankful for these spots to tarry in for a bit.

Maybe next spring you may wish to consider beginning your own garden filled with plants that will attract butterflies.

You do not have to try to do it all at once. Right now, all I have is lantana and one buddleia plant. My plan for next year is add more and hopefully to increase the abundance of bumblebees and butterflies.

We are doing a service for our planet by attracting these lovelies to our planet as they are becoming endangered. Helping our planet while being so enchanted is quite a lovely experience.

http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/How-to-Attract-Butterflies-to-Your-Garden.aspx

Peterson First Guides Butterflies and Moths by Paul A. Opler