The butterfly bush (buddleia davidii "Black Night") put out its first bloom on the 19th. Butterfly bushes bloom on new growth, so I cut mine back almost to the ground in late winter, and they still get huge. We've recently acquired two more: a "Nanho blue," which is a lighter purple, and a yellow-flowered variety called "Honeycomb," which is supposed to grow 10 feet tall.
We also have another buddleia, a really tall one that I dug up from a friend's yard (yes, I did have permission). It hasn't bloomed yet, so I'll be interested to see what color it is. I don't like where I planted it, so this fall it is getting moved again. (Most of my plants travel long distances without ever leaving my yard.)
One of my aims for this summer is to learn the names of all the butterflies I see in my garden, photograph them, and put them on the blog. My ignorance on the subject of butterflies is embarrassing, so I need to learn more. Look for more butterflies this summer, and feel free to leave comments with cool facts.
4 comments:
Beautiful and a great way to get pollinators into your yard!
Gorgeous! You and I have a similar goal. I've just started learning the butterflies, too (and one dragonfly, the Widow Skimmer). Can't believe what an ignoramus I am on these things I've seen all my life, but it's fun to finally learn their names.
I enjoy having a vicarious garden through your blog. You have such cool plants.
Hi Michelle--I enjoy watching the bees and butterflies as much as they enjoy the flowers.
Hi Iris--I think we appreciate creatures more if we know their names, which is one more reason I'm sorry that kids grow up with no knowledge of the natural world right outside their doors.
Thanks for the comments!
Oh, I'm envious of your having enough sun for butterfly bushes! Yours are especially gorgeous.
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