Native Gardening

[mrsclem]

My native milkweed is loaded with blooms! It seems to be a good year for it as I'm seeing tons of it along side the highways. Swamp milkweed and Tropical both starting to bloom. Too much rain here so no butterflies lately.

 

[j.w]

You are gonna have a ton of butterflies @JBtheExplorer

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Here's a few species that started blooming in the last few days.

Black-eyed Susan

Butterflyweed

Bush's Coneflower

Purple Poppy Mallow

 

[Lisak1]

Beautiful @JBtheExplorer ! My butterfly weed is gorgeous this year - I think it's loving all the rain.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

A few photos today.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Monarch butterfly

Monarch caterpillar

Ambush bug.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

My first-ever Royal Catchfly bloom is already attracting hummingbirds!

 

[addy1]

That is a neat flower!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

That is a neat flower!

It is!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I've been so inspired by the success of my native gardens this year that I decided to add onto the main garden. The areas outlined in green will be the new additions. It'll add about 220 square feet of pollinator habitat. I've got to remove the grass, which is really just weeds, and then I'll be seeding the new areas this winter. I'm not exactly sure what the plan is for the new areas, specifically the one on the east side. I might introduce some different species in that area since it isn't directly connected to the rest of the garden. Only time will tell!

Also, here's some video from my garden taken on Friday.

 

[j.w]

Wow @JBtheExplorer you are gonna have a park there and will be able to charge admission w/ all those beautiful plants butterflies,bees, rabbits and birds galore! Do they have garden tours in your area cuz you would qualify as having a nice one and your pond also.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

I could watch that video all day. Such a wonderful habitat you've created! The 'locals' in your area are so lucky to be able to enjoy what you have created, and they'll benefit from the proposed expansion as well.

 

[Galadriel]

My first-ever Royal Catchfly bloom is already attracting hummingbirds!
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View attachment 123726

That is beautiful. Is it a type of lily?

 

[JBtheExplorer]

That is beautiful. Is it a type of lily?

It's not. It is actually in the carnation family, and closely related to Lychnis species that are often sold in garden centers. I find myself confused why a non-native Lychnis is so commonly sold but this beautiful native is not. Good thing they had it in stock at the native plant sale in June! There are so many amazing native species that are entirely overlooked by nurseries and garden centers.

 

[Galadriel]

Thank you. I will have to be on the lookout for this. If it is in the carnation family I guess it is also related to pinks?