Butterfly Garden

 

The first border I made with my blank slate - before and after. It was my spring training in 2008 - sod busting - who needs a gym membership! I call it my butterfly garden although it also appeals to the birds. I will continually add more butterfly friendly plants - nectar and host. This photo is the garden in late August 2009 in its second year. Plants include verbascum nigrum (the tall brown seed heads in the foreground), geranium, miscanthus 'morning light', helianthus small headed sunflower, rudbeckia, cone flowers, daisies, bee balm, swamp milkweed, joe pye, lambs ears, agastache, butterfly weed ... The butterfly weed did not do so well. I bought it bare root and planted it last fall. It did come up but then dried up. I will see what happens next year - it may just need to become more established? Any suggestions are welcome! I also have a button bush planted around the corner - also purchased bare root and planted last fall. It did branch and leaf out but I think it also needs another year to take hold. The rudbeckia and cones grew so tall that I now need something else in front of them - this must be due to compost and I read recently that they should be kept lean so they do not grow too lush and flop over - hmm. This border is clay - in some spots "clay cement" - amazing that anything can grow in it - amended with some compost and mulched. At least now I have something to look at in the backyard.

Bulbs and Boos

Off to get pumpkins and since the rain has let up, an opportune time to plant more bulbs. Last fall I planted crocus, daffodil, tulips, and mountain lilies and was rewarded this past spring - although the skunk (?) tried to rearrange my plantings several times. Really, no bulbs to start with here so I will keep adding some each fall. This year, more daffodil, alliums, iris and species tulips.

Uprooted, Root Bound

Before moving here we lived in Maine where I left behind "a garden in the making" of three years and was just beginning to enjoy. We were blessed with lots of wildlife and scenic views. Oh, what I could have done with those two acres given more time! But, we made the choice to move to Northern NY to be closer to family and friends and a good choice it was. I now live in a village with a much smaller lot (as pictured in previous post) - oh, and a chain link fence - great, but consider it the best challenge - if I can create a garden here that attracts wildlife it will be quite an accomplishment! And here, we are blessed with an amazing community and nearby beautiful surroundings, family and friends. Here, I hope to stay and watch my garden grow and mature along with me.