Friday, September 17, 2010

Friday Flowers: For Birds and Butterflies

Three Goldfinches blend in with the flowers

I was admiring the flowers in a local butterfly garden and noticed an adult American Goldfinch feeding Echinacea seeds to four youngsters who noisily demanded her attention. Goldfinches nest late in the summer and I have never seen them with their fledglings before.


It was easier to see the Red Admiral butterfly taking nectar from this bloom and newly released Monarch Butterflies from the adjacent Butterfly Conservatory were resting before starting their long journey south.


I am going to add more bird and butterfly friendly flowers to my garden next year. I already have quite a few of the following plants. Do you have any other suggestions?

Lupine- Milkweed- Lavender
Showy Stonecrop- Zinnia*- Blue Salvia*
Black-eyed Susan- Goldenrod* - Blue Marine Heliotrope*
Columbine* - Joe Pye Weed* - Asters
Bee Balm - Butterfly Bush* - Hollyhocks*

(*need to get)
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9 comments:

  1. Gaelyn12:56 am GMT-4

    They should be healthy birds.

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  2. Jayne6:46 am GMT-4

    LOVE that first photo Ruth! Like you, I am going to try and plant more butterfly attracting plants as well. It's been so much fun to see them on the Sedum and the Butterfly Bush this year.

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  3. cheryl d7:59 am GMT-4

    Those are great photos! Butterflies never take a bad photo do they? You certainly will have a great "buffet" garden for your birds and butterflies. I love who you spoil nature!

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  4. Anvilcloud8:17 am GMT-4

    I have Joe Pye and salvia and the bees really seem to like them. Can't say about butterflies though as I don't see many around although they did visit the echinacea earlier on.

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  5. Ruth's Photo Blog12:28 pm GMT-4

    Beautiful photos.I like that you are already planning next spring's garden.This should help to shorten the winter.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  6. Dave1:15 pm GMT-4

    I have Joe Pye Weed and the butterflies just loved it. Also, I have Swamp Milkweed in my garden. The bees and hornets REALLY like this one. I had heard that butterflies are attracted to rotten fruit. I experimented with putting out a few banana peels and sure enough, it didn't take long for a QUESTION MARK to find them.

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  7. NCmountainwoman2:03 pm GMT-4

    I loved the photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. flower delivery philippines10:57 pm GMT-4

    Nice shot! it was so pretty and seems so real. I also like those beautiful flowers. Wish I can add them in my garden. Thanks for sharing.


    -yumi-

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  9. philippines flower shop12:36 am GMT-5

    Oh! Those flowers caught my attention. It seems you have a great flower gardens. How I wish I could have a cool garden like yours. Keep it up!

    toni

    ReplyDelete

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