Here in southwestern CT, we haven’t had rain in days, so my garden is crispy and generally not looking its best. But there are some bright spots which make it all worthwhile and seem to defy this crazy weather. Right now, the most magical part of my garden is Eupatorium maculatum ’Baby Joe’. I was fortunate enough to capture this picture the other day when a swallowtail butterfly and a monarch butterfly were both enjoying nectar from different sides of the same ‘Baby Joe’ flower.
A swallowtail and monarch butterfly enjoying 'Baby Joe'
What’s the most magical part of your garden these days?
My baby joe is 7′ tall right now. Anotehr joe pye is 9 feet tall. And I have an ironweed soon to bloom that is 12 feet tall. Butterflies love em, that’s for sure.
Benjamin, Wow, they must look incredible with butterflies flitting about. Thanks for stopping by and leavin a comment.
My Anemone (unknown variety) with pale pink petals and yellow centers is giving its usual August show, and the butterfly ballet over and between buddleia (Black Night and White Profusion) bushes is enthralling.
Ooh, a butterfly ballet sounds so interesting! I have three of the low growing blue chip butterfly bushes and they are butterfly favorites too.
My garden has seen over 100F temps for three weeks, and no rain. However, I do water so things are okay so far. My most magical part is definitely the Phlox paniculata and the blackeyed Susans who are carrying the butterflies on their journey. Otherwise, not so good. Waiting for the cool down of fall.~~Dee
Dee, I hear you. The temps today are in the high 70s and it almost feels cool. The butterflies don’t seem interested in my black-eyed Susans and for some reason I don’t have any phlox (but it is on the must-buy list). We haven’t had any measurable rain in weeks either but I continue to do my rain dance each night hoping it will eventually work!
Sheesh, here in Northern Cali I’m still waiting for summer to arrive! Such foggy days, almost a light rain every morning, and while usually that clears up into a nice day by eleven, it hasn’t been doing that this year. Send some of those crispy days over here! My woodland plants are the only ones that are very happy.
Nice to see the pic of YOUR butterfly ballet, Debbie!
Gen, Light rain seems like an impossible dream right now. I’m looking outside and my rhodis look like it’s winter – the leaves are drooping and curled so tight. Even my woodland plants need a drink. Rain is expected early next week so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Glad you liked my butterflies, the yellow finches seem to enjoy Baby Joe too. But they’re so fast I can never snap a good photo, but it’s not for lack of trying.