My brand-new pollinator garden has turned out to be — a pollinator garden. The plants were put in exactly one week ago today, and when I stepped outside yesterday to see how things were going — I spotted a pollinator in my pollinator garden.
It was a butterfly. I took pictures.
The new plants are doing beautifully, thanks in part to the new drip irrigation system. So it’s no wonder that winged critters are finding their way to our new side and back yards. There are blossoms all over the place — up and down the side stairway and back and forth across the terracing down back.
You’d think the new plants — the columbine, the alstromeria, the kangaroo paws — would take some time off after getting planted. You’d think they’d want to dig in and and let their roots get acquainted with their new spot on Earth before throwing blossoms out at the world.
But no, everybody, even the salvia, was blooming like crazy yesterday.
As for that butterfly, I’m pretty sure it’s a Woodland Skipper, a local native. Aka Ochlodes-sylvanoides.
Ochlodes-sylvanoides — what a lovely mouthful. I like my plants. But maybe I like my new friend, Ochlodes-sylvanoides, even more.
See before pictures of our side yard at “Fixing Up That Homely Old Side Yard at Last.” More on the backyard at “When a Widow Laughs — Or a Backyard Work in Progress.”
Don’t miss the butterfly’s very long, very slender proboscis. You can spot it when it lands on the second blossom.
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Well done Barb. Lovely garden.
It is lovely. I can’t really take credit. Those plants are just doing what they do.
Great column, Barbara, thanks!
Thanks! I have a lot of fun posting those pictures of my beautiful flowers. But I am restraining myself — putting up only a few photos, when I could be putting up a dozen.
Your garden and landscaping look beautiful! I can’t wait to see it in person.
Can’t wait to show it off to you. Amazing how the flowers are flowering already — and they’ve been in only a week or so.
Reading your latest post most always gets me in the mood for more as they’re very satisfying but sometimes too short. So today (short) I ambled over to The Maytag Man and the one about Pretty Girls both of which are really swell. You’re the kind of writer that feels like home – if you know what I mean – and a fine story-teller too.
And….what an amazing video!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a butterfly at work revealed so perfectly. What a pleasure.
Many thanks.
You know, Linda. I remember having fun conversations with you in high school. You were very funny, and so (I liked to think) was I. We were sharpening our wits, I think. Great practice for later writings.
Fabulous Barbara. There is nothing like flowers in the garden and all the good. they attract and joy they bring. EB
The flowers amaze me. They blossom away, like there’s no tomorrow. Come see them.
your steps draw me in, too. bob would applaud.
I would love to show off this garden to Bob. He could appreciate what it took to make all those decisions and get some results. The front yard garden he designed 35 years ago will get an update soon. But I’m keeping the Japanese anemone he put in, which keep lustily reproducing.
Barbara, the side yard is beautiful! Looking forward to seeing it in person.
Yes! And there will still be daylight enough to get a good look.
Very neat butterfly video. I’m going to show it to Z; she’ll love it!
Any pollinators in your pollinator garden?
I saw a small white butterfly yesterday! Not much is in bloom yet…spring is just starting to awaken.