Now that Florida's much anticipated rainy season is in full swing, the garden and new immature additions have really come to life! Even watering daily with well water does not compare to natural rain water, and my garden is proof of that. And since new additions do not have to struggle in drought conditions, I thought it would be a great time to add to the butterfly garden. Woo Hoo!!!!
Of course, I went straight for the Buddleia davidii 'Pink Delight'.
It's a hard one to pass up with it's lovely cherry fragrance
and pretty pink flowers with bright orange throats.
Spectacular!
Aptly named "Butterfly Bush", this shrub attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds alike...that's what I'm counting on!! Some gardeners think it a little unruly, but I enjoy it's natural, gracefully arching branches tipped with large bloom spikes.
It can grow to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide, so I've given it plenty of room to sprawl.
I also decided on a young Cat Whiskers.
It's exotic blooms are what lured my attention.
The blooms boast extra long stamens that resemble cat whiskers.
Officially named Orthosiphon aristatus,
this flowering shrub is actually a member of the mint family.
It is a fast grower, reaching heights of 3-4 feet tall
and up to 3 feet wide.
The best part?!?!
Both butterflies and hummers like this one too!
Although not a member of the butterfly garden, another new addition to my landscape is a young Jatropha. It is planted further down the front fence row between two sabal palms. I like the cheerful, bright red flower clusters against the interesting shape of evergreen leaves.
Jatropha is a genus that includes over 175 varieties of succulents, plants and trees.
They are drought tolerant and....attract both butterflies and hummingbirds!!!
Giddy up!
Back to the butterfly garden,
there's always something to see.
I spotted this pretty fellow a couple of weeks ago.
I believe this is a Tersa Sphinx Hummingbird Moth caterpillar. His head is pulled in, enlarging its eye spots.
This guy thoroughly enjoyed munching on a Penta plant.
The Black and Blue Salvia has recovered from whatever found it delicious about a month ago. The tropical milkweed, on the other hand, was not photo worthy due to the endless Monarch caterpillar appetite. Then again, that is the reason I included it in the garden. It's a food source, not necessarily to look pretty.
The red Porterweed is a constant magnet for Gulf Fritilary, Queen and Monarch butterflies.
They can't seem to resist the pretty little red blooms.
They enjoy the Clarodendrum too!
This particular kind of Clarodendrum
(C. speciosissimum, Java Glory Bower)
from the Verbena family grows up to 6 feet tall
and is a cherished ornamental.
More exotic looking whiskers,
although not nearly as long as the Cat Whiskers.
Now for the strange and unusual,
because there is typically something odd going on around here.
One of my Azaleas is blooming in the dead heat of summer.
Here's the proof. Bizarre!
It's been in bloom now for about 2 weeks.
I thought Azaleas only bloom in the spring.
The leaves weren't looking very well. In fact, most of the original growth died back and tons of new growth sprang to life along with these pretty little blooms. Since this is my first time having Azaleas (I didn't have the correct light conditions in my previous home), I really don't know what to expect.
Comments, suggestions and experience are very welcome!!
Now for some bad news.
If you can't tell what this is, look closely and you will see an orchid flower spike that has been chewed off. You can only imagine my fury! Especially when I found the culprit...
This lubber was found only a short distance away
munching on yet another orchid.
I had no choice but to take care of this situation.
I lost my beloved Vanda bloom spike
even before it had a chance to bloom,
but at least this wonderful Queen Emma
bouquet was spared!!!
This particular Crinum Lily is blooming on the other side also!!
I wish I could bottle this fragrance and wear it every day!
