August gave us cool days dressed in flannel and comforter nights . . . the coolest August I can recall since my transplanting to New England just thirty-eight years ago. Mostly busy days filled the weeks that passed in tones of green, with worldly guests and migrations stirring motes of dust, pollen and memories . . . both lived and dreamed. The last hours of Augustus suddenly lead into September's first dawn . . . breaking through a thick haze of clouded air with bolts of zagged light only … [Read more...] about Stepping into September Haze Ironweed Holds Center Stage
Stepping into September Haze Ironweed Holds Center Stage
August gave us cool days dressed in flannel and comforter nights . . . the coolest August I can recall since my transplanting to New England just thirty-eight years ago. Mostly busy days filled the weeks that passed in tones of green, with worldly guests and migrations stirring motes of dust, pollen and memories . . . both lived and dreamed. The last hours of Augustus suddenly lead into September's first dawn . . . breaking through a thick haze of clouded air with bolts of zagged light only … [Read more...] about Stepping into September Haze Ironweed Holds Center Stage
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Fritillaries
Todays segment of 'Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012' features the boldly flecked Fritillaries. It seems the only Fritillary that flies about our gardens these days is the Greater Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele. Early on, I mistakenly identified these butterflies as Aphrodite Fritillary, but the eminent Lepidopterist Randy Emmitt pointed out that the large beige band near the edge of the outer hindwing indicates that these are in fact Greater Spangled Fritillaries. I do so enjoy these … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Fritillaries
Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Fritillaries
Todays segment of 'Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012' features the boldly flecked Fritillaries. It seems the only Fritillary that flies about our gardens these days is the Greater Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele. Early on, I mistakenly identified these butterflies as Aphrodite Fritillary, but the eminent Lepidopterist Randy Emmitt pointed out that the large beige band near the edge of the outer hindwing indicates that these are in fact Greater Spangled Fritillaries. I do so enjoy … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Fritillaries
Monarch Butterflies Wild About The Gardens
Throughout the summer and fall Monarchs and other butterflies readily flutter to native plants in the garden and seem to prefer them over most all others . . . with exception to our taller than usual butterfly bush. Joe-pye weed, Eupatorium purpureum L. is a favorite plant of mine for its large sculptural quality. Butterflies, moths and bees love the sweets hidden within numerous tiny florets. Liatris is another favored native and great pollinator attractor. Ironweed, Veronia … [Read more...] about Monarch Butterflies Wild About The Gardens
