butterfly garden update

As you may recall, early this Spring we did our first controlled burn in our struggling Butterfly Garden. Pulling Weeds, over seeding, and a whole lot of over thinking, were not enough to make butterfly garden dreams come true.

We inherited an area of sky high piled yunk wood in 2016. The garden started with weeds much taller than us humans. Wide open areas are a haven for ruthless weeds. 

Growing anything in sandy loam besides invasive weeds is slow and challenging. I have been learning the hard way. By trial and error. Seeds don't take as easy and purchased perennials seem to wither beyond their first year. One can only assume from a lack of nutrients and consistent moisture. Adapting to growing anything in sandy soil is a work in progress. 

There are times I have to remind myself of my gardening motto: Grow what Grows for You. 

The garden was planted in 2022. The butterfly garden dream was: One half (wing) would be perennials and the other mostly bfly loving annuals. Keeping a curvy path down the middle would allow immersion. Silly homemade deelly bobber antennas would be added to one end. Fostering wonder and smiles. Among other things, we talked about also possibly adding a bench.

2023 was our most active butterfly year. Only one year after the initial planting. Not the typical 3-5 years for plants and gardens to establish. Thanks to annuals. Despite my best efforts, annuals do not grow well anymore. No clue why. They were self & reseeding so nicely. This leaves me not so patiently waiting for native perennials to do their thing.

The butterfly garden was suppose to be low maintenance. Before we moved here, I decided to retire from gardening in the ground. Wellll, that didn't work. Guess I can't help myself. Growing plants is in my blood!! Both indoor and outdoor. I am a good candidate for PAA (Plant-Aholics Anonymous).

The Butterfly Garden was initially Brad's idea. Many of my past gardens evolved from less desirable mowing spots. Our agreement was: If we could not get the big garden to be lower maintenance, it would get plowed under. It would not bother me a bit. Been there. Done that. It wouldn't be my first time saying good-bye to a butterfly garden. The first was (with permission) in a public park as a Girl Scout leader. Watering (and accountability) became an issue. That year turned out to be a tough drought year.

Seeing weeds spread and choke out flowering plants that I am trying to nurture bothers me. I was ready to stop fighting the weeds and fire up the mower. Instead, we decided to try Plan C. A controlled burn. I think it worked? Kinda. Sorta. It has been very interesting to see what survived the burn, and what did not. Control burning a flowering garden/prairie area is a first for me. Each week or so, another plant reveals itself. Often not where it was originally planted.

6.26.26

Plants returning to date: One purchased Native Coneflower returned. One. I see no sign of other native coneflowers started/seeded plants that grew. The fancier garden varieties that had previously returned, apparently perished. 

Orange Butterfly Weed not only survived, but spread!! One plant was purchased, others started from seed. I also spread chilled seeds, that take years to even begin to grow.

Hello Yellow Butterfly Weed not only survived, but also spread!! I started these indoors from seed. The seeds are harder to find than the standard orange variety.  

I am watching for Liatris blooms. Some of the plants did return after the burn. They usually bloom later in Summer for me. 

No signs of Black Eyed Susans. These tender perennials have never done well for me. Here or at my previous home. I've tried growing them in every way. Perhaps they will show up eventually. It could happen.

Returning blooms from earlier in the season:

Lupine
5.19.26

Hairy Beard Tongue
(started indoors from seed)
6.5.26

Hawkweed?

Self planted weed, growing everywhere. I will most likely have to pull some, so it doesn't take over.

More recent sightings:

Hoary Vervain 
7.3.26

Finally, a real butterfly in this years garden!

As you can see I made peace with letting grasses grow, along with what I consider weeds. Some are beneficial. The Monarch above seems to appreciates them.

yellow coneflowers have spread and doing well (from plants & seeds)
7.12.26

thriving together

A surprise Red Catchfly (aka Red Campion)
7.15.26

looks like more than one :)

Future plans: Another early Spring controlled burn. Also, watching for native plants to go on sale. I would like to continue adding a few key plants each year. However, the plants are pricey! More seeds will be spread, although I honestly don't feel seeding is effective here. Regardless I will continue collecting, saving and spreading seeds. Some seeds are easier to collect than others. Jury is out on the path & the fun antenna deely bobbers :)

The rest will be up to Mother Nature.

land of wonders ~ june 2026

A few views that caught my eye:

 

Nemo and his daily naps
6.3.26



Jackmanni Clematis
6.5.26

home grown Zinnia, Echinacea -and- a big fat toad?!

6.6.26


clouds had me at first whisp

Wild Spiderwort
6.5.26

grows in all undisturbed areas

Toad-ally Ridiculous!
6.7.26



A small toad "hiding" in Lavender plant, started for my daughter.
(opposite side of the house)
6.10.26


mother nature trimmed many trees
6.11.26
 

Sphinx Moth (see tongue/proboscis) hung around barn until dusk
6.16.26

first Wild Rose blooms

Cierra on a picturesque day
6.16.26



 native milkweed started blooming
6.20.26



barn flower bed
6.22.26



colorful evening in the...north east
6.24.26



Rock Pigeon visitor outside our window
6.25.26

summer sky delight
6.25.26



stopping deer from eating my strawberries
6.26.26



surprise (seeded) milkweed in Cactus Cove
6.26.26



horse nettles, an invasive problem to eradicate
6.26.26

Showy Tick-trefoil
6.27.26

small new to me wildflower

summer sky stunner



colorful farewell to june



6.27.26

sparkles in the sky

Our next door neighbor called earlier this week to ask if our horses would be okay if they lit fireworks off for their special family reunion. They had family traveling from distant States to attend. Of course, I said yes. I really appreciated them asking and said our horses would be safely inside by 5pm. 

7.5.26

Our horses did fine. Even with open stall windows. I imagine the sound of overhead fireworks raised ears at first. They could not see them. This morning their stalls looked normal, like they do every other day. Stall condition is a tell tale sign. It reveals when something is bothering them. Especially Nemo's. 

darker skies would have enhanced the pretty colors

Our neighbors invited us to join them. It would have felt odd, so we stayed home. The colorful display was enjoyed from our place, with our son. We laughed and reminisced about our own families past Fourth of July celebrations. Let's just say, back in the day Brad was known for lighting fireworks. It was fun watching them again, without having to go anywhere.

4 secs

They just kept lighting them off, one after another. The entertainment went on for a while. I was glad we were not paying the outlandish cost for a change. Let me tell you, good fireworks are expensive. 

6 secs

I doubt our barn will have colorful sparkles in the sky overhead again. Sadly, I didn't even think about taking good photos with my camera. Whoops!! Perhaps it is a good thing. It has been a long time since I photographed fireworks.

3 secs

right on time

In April, I spotted healthier prickly pear pads growing. More than usual. I guessed it would be a banner year for big beautiful yellow cactus blooms. An abundance of not so Hidden Cactus are blooming strong this year. If you can see easily them, be warned there are even more pads hidden. When you are off the beaten path, be careful where you step!

First bloom this season was spotted in an area at the bottom of our property that I call Cactus Cove. The dogs and I frequently walk past it. I keep the dogs out of there and other known prickly area's. For obvious reasons.

first Prickly Pear Cactus bloom
(Opuntia genus) 6.22.26

A few days later, Brad asked if I had seen any cactus blooming on our property. He told me an area we rarely use had a lot of them. I couldn't wait to drive the side-by-side over to see what I could see. Wow!!! He was not kidding! 

too many blooms to count (47 secs)

We frequented this area the first year we owned our land (2016). It was the only existing entrance/way to access our property. We thought perhaps it would be a good home site. We quickly changed our mind. There is something to be said for revisiting an area to get a feel for it. 

6.27.26

I was worried the cacti might cause tire issues and dug them out of the sandy entrance way in 2016. The cactus I dug out bloomed. Even when exposed and heaped on a pile.

intricate blooms

With the area undisturbed, the cacti have come back in force. We have learned to love them, and even named our place after them: Hidden Cactus Ranch. 

papery blooms

so delicate and fierce at the same time