The Painted Lady, also known as the Thistle Butterfly is the most prolific of all butterflies due to the native Burdock, Thistle and Sunflowers their larvae consume.

There has been no shortage of Painted Ladies in zone 4 as we have witnessed an explosion of these migrating insects heading south to warmer conditions, reminding us that fall is on the horizon.  Cheers

The possibility of attracting humming birds to your garden will increase when you plant our featured flower of the month, Four O’ Clocks.  Mirabilis is an annual plant that produces fragrant trumpet shaped flowers that open in the late afternoon.  Four O’ Clocks are full sun, drought tolerant and come in a variety of colors.  Mirabilis is unique because it is one of only a few plants capable of thriving in poor, dry soil conditions.  I plant Four O’ Clocks in early spring for plants that spread out up 16 inches and reach heights of 30 inches or more.  Cheers

During the growing season my primary focus is usually on flowers. This season I’ve added vegetables to the mix and I have spiced things up by growing a few varieties of peppers.  As fall approaches Jalapeno peppers are in great demand for many of my favorite fall grilling endeavors.  This year I started my pepper seeds indoors in early February and will begin to harvest them near the end of August through late fall. Enjoy!

Blooming early and often is our featured flower of the month, Yarrow.  Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) is a perennial favorite in zone 4.  It is one of the first plants to flower in early spring with blooms lasting until late fall.  It comes in a variety of pastel shades ranging from bright yellows to an array of pinks, reds and whites.  Yarrow is drought tolerant and made for the sunny side of your garden’s landscape. Direct sow yarrow between April and July for seasons of joy to come. Cheers

Daylight is decreasing triggering the eventual end of summer.  Before fall is upon us, a summer getaway can bring inspiration and healing.  Even a long weekend that takes you away from your normal routine can bring a new perspective.

We drove to a small mountain town several miles away and the scenery was magnificent. Time on the road encouraged good conversation we may not have engaged in had we been at home.  The clear air with less pollution was euphoric and the quiet nights restful.

Cheers!

Perennial bulbs can be amazing when planted in late fall for early spring flowers or in early spring for mid-summer blooms.  One of my favorite bulbs for late summer is our featured flower of the month the Gladiolus.  Gladiolus are members of the Iridaceae plant family and have sword like foliage in addition to vibrant flowers that are rich in color and come in many unique shades. As they begin to surge, other flowers begin to fade.  I consider them to be an excellent selection for adding late season color to your garden.  I plant my bulbs at least 8 inches deep, spaced 6 inches apart and plant in rich well draining soil.

Cheers

I take great pleasure in maintaining my garden, as it brings me closer to the flowers and gives me creative ideas.  Watching the evolution of tiny seeds blossoming into magnificent spectacles of nature never gets old and this year is no exception.  While attempting to rid my garden of a well known garden pest called “Creeping Charlie”, I happened to stumble upon a tiny delicate flower (Forget Me Not’s), within a wild flower mix I purchased this year.  Obviously this flower is well suited to be added to any portion of your garden.  In my mind I am picturing “Forget Me Not’s” as gentle border flowers surrounded by “Baby’s Breath for next year.  Plant seeds in rich well draining soil after the last frost.  Cheers

One of the first perennial plants to bloom in spring is Coreopis.  It is a member of the Asteraceae plant family and is commonly called “Tickseed”.  Its nectar attracts pollinating insects and its daisy like flowers are popular with butterflies.  Coreopis has 80 species and is native to North, Central and South America.  I plant Coreopis in sunny areas throughout my garden adding bright colors during the first weeks of spring.  Cheers

Our featured flower of the month is Delphinium. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae plant family and is native to the Northern Hemisphere.  Its neon blue color is a highlight in any perennial garden setting. Delphinium excels in zones 3 through 9, is full sun and drought tolerant. It is capable of growing in heights of up to 6 ft.  However, Butterfly Blue Delphinium will grow into a bush and will only grow 12 to 18 inches tall and wide.  Delphinium should be planted in rich well draining soil for electric blue blossoms that will bloom from June through September. Cheers