Thursday, August 7, 2014
Walnut Sphinx Moth
http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/84023-Amorpha-juglandis
Larva found on the sidewalk. I've read the larva lets out a squeak when caught by a bird. Maybe a startled bird dropped this one?
Hover fly (Syrphid fly)
Hover fly: larvae, pupa, and adult. August 2014. On butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
**And incidentally, this plant turns out to be an aphid magnet. Haven't seen a single aphid on my other plants, not even roses.
8-16-14 Saw this newly-emerged one and watched as it slowly stretched body and wings. Wings became transparent and body darkened.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Making the Bird Garden
This little corner under a pecan tree I planted in June for the birds.
Lyreleaf Sage, Pigeonberry, American Beautyberry, and a Crossvine. Just a start. I plan to enlarge it in the Fall.
Making the Butterfly Garden
Planted May, 2014: Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', Italian Parsley, Bronze Fennel, Monarda 'Marshall's Delight', Coral Honeysuckle, Russian Sage 'Longin', Purple Coneflower, Texas Lantana, Lemon Verbena, Gregg's Mistflower, Yellow Honeysuckle. Added in June: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and two Coneflowers 'Magnus'. Also added a limb that fell from the old pecan tree.
And So We Begin ~ Back
May ~ planted butterfly garden with Abelia, parsley, fennel, Monarda, honeysuckle, Russian sage, coneflowers, lantana, lemon verbena, Gregg's mistflower, and butterfly weed:
June ~ Planted south side of studio/garage with Crossvine, white daylilies 'Royal Frosting,' small yellow daylilies 'Stella d'Oro,' lyreleaf sage, Katie's Ruellia:
Added Columbine and a pot with Autumn fern, English ivy and sweet potato vine:
Pot in early August: (lost fern to too much sun)
Also planted area under old pecan with
Dwarf Wax myrtles, pigeon berry, wood ferns, and Darrell had already planted Holly fern:
Planted a bed for the birds with Crossvine, American Beautyberry, Pigeonberry, and lyreleaf sage:
And So We Begin ~ Front
Feb. 2014:
May ~ uncovered root flair of elm tree, and put in a new San Augustine lawn.
Mixed feelings about planting a lawn, but felt we had to do something quickly to replace weeds and dying winter rye. No doubt I'll eventually replace a lot of it with more wildlife friendly things.
June ~ Planted west side with
catmint, rosemary, salvia 'Victoria Blue' and 'Henry Duelberg,' mother of thyme, Russian sage, yarrow 'Moonshine,' clematis 'Jackmanii,' Beach Vitex, lavender, scabiosa, rose 'Buff Beauty':
Planted front bed with
yaupon, rosemary, Russian sage, Beach Vitex, Blackfoot Daisy, white coneflowers, Scabiosa, and lavender. Also kept a few of Darrell's dwarf Yaupons:
Planted street side beds with
rose 'Winchester Cathedral,' rosemary, Beach Vitex:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)