Butterflies of Autumn

In Central Florida butterflies can be seen year-round. The population of them decreases as winter arrives. If it gets very cold, as in freezing, they may disappear until it warms up, but they are hiding somewhere safe until the temperatures rise.

Monarch on Agastache 'Black Adder'

The autumn garden is filled with an abundance of pollinator activity, including many varieties of butterflies. Agastache 'Black Adder' is a popular stop for all the nectar-sipping critters in my garden.

Gulf Fritillary on 'Black Adder'

Long-tailed Skipper on 'Black Adder'

Queen butterfly on milkweed flowers

The Queen butterfly is not as commonly seen in my garden as the other species discussed here. However, this year there seemed to be more than normal. The Queen butterfly is very similar in size and pattern to the Monarch.

Queen butterfly on milkweed flowers

Queen butterfly on milkweed flowers

Queen butterfly on milkweed flowers

Swallowtail plant (Christia Obcordata) is definitely not a butterfly even though it appears to have a gazillion wings of butterflies dancing around on graceful stems. This is not a plant that last more than a season in my garden. I buy them when I find them in late summer, pot them up in containers and place them in partially shaded spots. The leaves fade and drop off as the days grow shorter. You can read more about this unique plant in a previously featured post here.

Tiger Swallowtail on Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

Pentas  (Pentas lanceolata) are an all-time favorite of mine and the pollinators in my garden. These are the old-fashioned, tall red variety that survive through most winters or return after being frosted back. The value of red pentas in my garden cannot be overstated. I love them and recommend them highly for year-round bright color in the dense clusters of red. Loads of pollinator activity, including hummingbirds depend on them for nectar.

Gulf Fritillary on Pentas (Pentas lanceolata

Tiger Swallowtail on red Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

Tiger Swallowtail on red Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

Chrysalis of Black Swallowtail butterfly

This summer and early autumn we had the privilege of seeing dozens of black swallowtail caterpillars transform from tiny eggs to each instar stage and molt into butterflies. It was a wonderful learning experience for our young grandchildren and just as thrilling for us to witness each metamorphosis.

New Black Swallowtail butterfly just out of chrysalis

We have pondered how a single Rue herb plant could have hosted so many caterpillars. All the leaves would be sheared off by hungry cats and as soon as they matured new growth would push out rapidly. It's a wonder of nature.

I hope you are relishing autumn days wherever you are. Happy gardening, Meems


If you liked these photos you may enjoy these previous posts also:
Butterflies Galore
Benefits and Beneficials: A Garden Teeming with Life
Autumn Makes A Grand Arrival
To Capture the Sunlight
Hello December


*** Please click over to Hoe and Shovel on Facebook to see the daily photos and discussions about plants there. Click on the LIKE button to be part of the conversation. We'd love to hear what you have to add.
Meems

Hummer Makes My Case For Crimson Pentas

Crimson pentas rank high on the 'favorite year-round perennials' list here.

For so many reasons.

They are bright and cheery and endure all kinds of ill-weather. Mine all came back from being frosted to the ground this winter. They bloom consistently all year long. Other than benefiting from deadheading occasionally (not required) pentas of all colors ask for very little from the gardener. Grown in partial shade or direct sunlight makes them suitable for just about every garden.

They are most notably a butterfly attractor!

Recently they were bumped up to an even higher position on my favorites list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I NEVER EVER have my camera handy when I see hummingbirds in my garden. Occasionally one will come whizzing past me while I work; sounding like an overgrown bumble bee to my ears. But it is no use trying to scramble for the camera. I'd rather just enjoy the sight of them in their lightning-fast motion.

Such was the case as Mr. Meems and I were eating brunch on the back porch the other day. Only it was Mr. Meems who spoke up saying, "I think I just saw a hummingbird on the roses." Immediately I doubted his identification as not moments prior I had watched the chickadees as they fluttered about the feeders in almost-hummbingbird-like motion. Surely he has seen the chickadees was my first thought.

Not so. He was absolutely right. Sure enough it was a hummer. (I should've known right!?).

We watched that busy hummer through the screening about 40' away for a good while. It moved from the knockout rose tree, to the crimson pentas, over to the mexican petunias and back again. Repeatedly. Hungry little hummer.

Finally I could stand it no more. We came up with a plan.

Mr. Meems scurried inside for my camera (while I kept my eye on the hummer). Then he stealthily opened the screened door for me to slip outside unnoticed in an attempt to maybe... just maybe get a photo. Oh, how I needed my monopod. I was excited and too far away ~~ my hand just couldn't get steady enough.

Still, I gave it my best effort and this is it. What a thrill to see them sipping nectar from any of my plants. It is almost always the coral honeysuckle or the fire bush that attracts them. They DO love the color RED.

One of these days I'm going to be ready and all the universe will align for that in-focus hummer photo.

One of these days...

First Giant Swallowtails of the Season

The first Giant Swallowtails Heraclides cresphontes of the season have joined the sulphurs, red admirals, and black swallowtails dancing around the back gardens the last few days. What a delightful late-winter gift.

Today when my (5 year old) grandson announced the sighting of one with that 'thrill of discovery' in his voice I could no longer resist grabbing my camera and following it around.

Having butterflies make my garden their home is a blessing.

I say it all the time. My red Pentas lanceolata are one of the most frequented flowers by all types of butterflies. It is one of those flowers that acts like a perennial in our climate and blooms consistently in every season.

Giant Swallowtails are one of Florida's largest butterflies.

Trees in the citrus family are their host plants.

Males and females are similar in their markings.

But females are paler yellow and have a narrower yellow band at the base of the hindwing above.

Knock Out 'Radrazz'

Following the swallowtail around to near by flowers I missed the butterfly. But the flowers are pretty, too.

Knock Out 'Radrazz'

Indian Hawthorn 'Majestic Beauty'

Ray Petunia

There were plenty of samplings and tastings at other flowers but the red pentas were the choice this Swallowtail returned to every time. Just one of the reasons I love my red pentas!

What's your best butterfly attractor for all seasons?

~~~~~
I haven't forgotten my promise to share my visit to Classic Caladiums. It's coming. Stay tuned.

Spring-like and Bulging Buds

An abundance of warm sunshine has rested over our beloved state these past few weeks. If I didn't have a calendar to tell me differently I'd think spring had arrived.

Nothing says transition from late winter into spring like the azaleas beginning to bloom. All my azalea shrubs are bulging with buds that puff up just a tiny bit more each day. Many of my neighbor's plants are already in full bloom. Any day now for mine.

With all the great weather there are some cheery views around the garden.

It is simply glorious to be out in the garden breathing it all in. Sweet alyssum is tucked into so many container plants and directly in the ground in the edible garden. Did I mention cheery!

A passalong bromeliad, Matchsticks, has been a constant bloomer right through the winter months.

Leptospermum scoparium New Zealand Tea rose shrubs have remained full with flowers and buds.

It's an especially interesting characteristic the way they start out pale pink and each single bloom turns deeper with each passing day.

One of the sturdiest, easiest, and year-round bloomers in all of Hoe and Shovel is the red pentas. Most of them were knocked back with winter freezes. All are pruned and returning. A few in containers survived. Just for fun more have been planted for an even bigger display and more nectar supply for butterflies.
It was so disappointing when Eranthemum nervosus Blue Sage was loaded with blooms in December and then ... you guessed it... the freezes took them out almost to the ground. The bottom of the shrub has pushed out several blooms of blue anyway in a show of persistence.
This is one of those plants you don't find in the garden centers. It was passalong to me from Susan at Simply Susan. It is heartwarming to have such good gardening friends.

And, most naturally, all this exuberant sunshine and goodness of late winter brings out the brave butterflies.

Red Admirals show up each day to keep me company and seemingly to check out what's new in the garden.

Resting pose.

Mourning doves cooing in spring-like fashion.

Yellow is noticeably present in the garden these past few weeks. The mystery of the yellow gaillardia is that I have no idea where it came from. I've only ever planted the native orange pulchella seeds. hmmmm????

Surviving every winter freeze are the bright yellow Gamolepis chrysanthemoidesAfrican bush daisies in the partially shady berm. Cheery and perky are their sunny blooms for much of the year.

Street side in the front gardens Bulbine frutescens ‘Yellow Rocket’ illuminates the edges. It really comes alive in late winter.

Again. From the other side view.

It's a stupendous time of year. Dare I say it? It really does look as if this mild weather is here to stay. Fingers crossed and prayers said.
Happy gardening all... and here's to spring coming soon for you, too. Meems

September Favorites: Blue Ginger

Gingers, ornamental tropical perennials, are just one of the many advantages to gardening in Florida.

There are several varieties growing in this garden but in September it is the butterfly gingers and the (false) blue gingers Dichorisandra thyrsiflora that have my attention. They aren't fast growers but I've been digging them to divide them each year. Won't it be nice to see them in more locations.

Hurricane Lily Lycoris radiata var. radiata, members of the Amaryllis Family, and a favorite food of the Eastern Lubber grasshopper. That means, out of 50 bulbs, there are only 2 or 3 that make it to bloom each year. It is a shame. Each one a work of art and detail. The lubbers chew the stalks and the buds.

Golden rod Solidago sempervirens

Crinum angustifolium 'Queen Emmas' a favorite scented bloom and remarkable foliage.

Crinum angustifolium 'Queen Emmas'

White Queen caladiums, continuing to perk up the September garden.

Miss Muffet caladium

White Christmas (I think) Caladiums on the edge of the tropical pathway.

Jatropha podragrica, Buddha Belly's large foliage leaves are always a favorite.

The bloom is sort-of insignificant albeit unique~~ making it a favorite autumn bloomer.

In the northside berm, alocasia, coleus, and caladiums combine for a lush display we've been enjoying for months.

Dragon wing begonia (or is it an angel wing?) in a container on the front walkway echos the shades of the Ti plants behind it. A VERY favorite foliage, easily rooted from cuttings.

Cassia alata or candlestick plant begins blooming in August and carries on through September/October. A favorite of so many buzzing critters and a host plant for cloudless sulphur butterflies. Candlestick is an easy carefree perennial. It will self-seed prolifically but seedlings are easy to pull or transplant.

Tiger Swallowtails are a favorite on one of their favorite nectar plants, Red Pentas lanceolata, making it a favorite for the gardener, too.

Amazing bloomers in sun or partial shade they are a must-have perennial for Florida gardens.

Bulbine frutescens ‘Yellow Rocket’ didn't bloom great until the last few weeks. It is a bright spot street-side although kind of hard to notice with the purple muhly grass sending up its clouds of purple in September.

Oh, yes, purple muhly grass Muhlenbergia capillaris a Florida native, is by far the star of the front gardens in September. More on this plant later. Don't you think it deserves a post of its own!

**************************************
All plants listed are considered Florida-Friendly.

Thanks to Susan at Simply Susan for her creation of "My Favorites This Month". Be sure to visit her for more varieties of Florida-Friendly plants.