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 ~ april 2026

Last month, I noticed some catkins that Google ID'd as Hickory. I see a lot of various types of catkins on our property. However, I haven't noticed hickory tree's. Interestingly enough, this month I found my first hickory nut laying right smack dab in the middle of the main trail. Just one. How ironic.

Perhaps some critter dropped it, but there are no teeth marks. I am not going to eat the nut, but I would like to draw it. It has a lot of interesting texture.

April 8

every nut needs friends


mystic ground fog covered our land
April 13    

The surprise snowdrop that appeared at a key time on my beloved cat Sydney's gravesite keeps returning. Sydney was such a unique special cat. Our family still shares many special memories of him.

April 14

In another area, naturalized Daffodils made the true blue of naturalized Scilla's stand out.

Our sky views provide ever changing entertainment.

reaching out

I was surprised to spot a pop of orange.

gooey Lobster Mushroom (ID, apparently edible)
April 14

Nature seems to arrive and disappear in waves. Mid-April, tiny periwinkle blue butterflies appeared everywhere. They flutter randomly and are highly sensitive to movement. These entertaining butterflies land a lot, then promptly close their wings. The beautiful blue wing color can only be seen on the top side. One of these days I will get a good top side photo. 

Spring Azure (?)
April 16

3 days later, Lobster Mushroom bake (yum yum?)
April 17

This year, a couple of my red trillium bloomed! Almost. The leaves never opened flat. Good things come to those who wait. 

April 19



Maybe next year they will open flat

We named our homestead Hidden Cactus Ranch. In untouched areas, you need to watch where you step! I predict a banner cactus blooming season. I will let you know if I am right. They are growing thick as thieves this year.

Cactus Cove

Shortly after taking the photo below, we no longer had as many Spring Azure's. The few I do see are smaller. Common Yellow Supher butterflies took over, in mass. 

April 21

One of my favorite signs of Spring are the sound of Whippoorwhils!!! Sound up if you want to listen. Not the best audio. I was so excited that I forgot to close the front door to block out noise. 

Pray for Rain, Pray for Rain

April 26
13 secs (black screen)

We hear Whippoorwhils at night. I know people that hate them and think they are too noisy. Not me, I love listening to them sing!

I am still waiting and watching for Hummingbirds. They are late to the Spring party this year.

bring on the butterflies

A couple days ago, I thought I saw something fluttering about in our woods.

evidence!

Eastern Comma
4.9.26

Bring on the butterflies!!!

epic garden delight

I thought my Butterfly Garden was a failure this year. Nature proved me wrong. Tall flowering plants took turns blooming throughout the Summer. Various winged wonders fluttered about occasionally, enjoying the grass flanked blooms. At times the wings chose grass over flowers. Not a surprise. Grass offers various needs. 

From a distance, I noticed what I thought were a cluster of larger butterflies. I wanted to take a closer look. Alas, I had two velcro Labradors with me. Sigh. It rarely works out to approach wild things with the two hooligans. The dogs always scare them away. Especially winged wonders!

About an hour later I returned. With my camera and without dogs. Much to my surprise, the flutterby's were still enjoying the garden! Now I only had one pesky loveable animal to thwart my efforts.

classic Leo wrap around

The cat who shall not be ignored got some needy attention. It is never enough and I had to ask him to pluueze leave me alone! I wanted to focus on this:

Monarchs and friends

trio of Monarchs

Leo obliged, but did not go far

Just like potato chips, I had a hard time choosing just one Monarch photo.

see four

and five

The many Monarchs and friends were very entertaining!

fluers and a fuzzy bee

I would have stayed longer, but was getting eaten alive by the latest crop of blood suckers. Leo and I headed back to the house/barn for cover. 

If I did have to chose one photo from this series, this would be it:

8.26.25

A fun reminder our Butterfly Garden does not need to be manicured to be an epic delight. 

seeing light

Some days light presents itself. Other days, you have to seek it. I believe it is always there. In one form or another.

our oldest grand dog Jameson is 11.5 yrs old

(note; the flying pests)

Jameson's mom took him for a second acupuncture treatment yesterday. They seem to help with his mobility. My daughter sent me this photo of him during his treatment :)

good boy

Dog walks in the woods feel different with only one dog. I have been walking with one (Tank) more often. It certainly has advantages, but I miss Aurora's Doggie Daycare walks.

Jameson lives for sniffing, strolling and rolling around. He is a typical Lab. I have to keep my eyes on him at all times. 

J has lived with us most of his life

Last week I took my big camera for a walk, along with both dogs. After seeing cranes and other unique winged wonders pockets of light shined through the darkness of our woods. 

sweet smelling wild phlox

a glimmering classic toad stool caught my eye

stumps foster ferns and renew growth

Full sun, here we come. The annuals that typically outshine the perennials in my Butterfly Garden are almost non-existent this year. For whatever reason. It did not help that July's weather was too atrocious to keep up with the heavy duty weeding this area requires for seeds to flourish.

Now I know, why natives grow so tall. To survive. They also seek light.

Black-eyed Susans

 Royal Catch-fly

one lone Zinnia

Yellow Coneflowers sway in the breeze

Liatris bloom top down

I recently spent the day with my two youngest grandkids. One carries on a 5th generation family name (Aurora) and my middle grand is my birthday twin. 

Our day started at Olbrich Gardens. A unique educational garden treasure. I have written about it before. Many special family memories have been made their over the years.

We were first in line for Blooming Butterflies in the conservatory. Nothing short of a miracle lol. Much to our delight, they had just released more wings that morning. They were fluttering absolutely everywhere!!! It was like hitting the jackpot! I have attended this annual butterfly event more than once and this is not always the experience. Timing is everything.

All ages attend. The two kiddo's made so many people smile. Especially me. Strangers faces would light up with the kids squeals and "grandma, grandma look..." over and over again.

I usually bring my big camera to this photographers dream. However, this visit my focus was spending time with my grands. Of course, I snapped phone pics regardless. Of the kids and us, and the many beautiful winged wonders.

Below are just a few shots of the butterflies we enjoyed.

Malachite emerging (L)

The Chrysalis Cases ^^ were so fascinating!

Malachite butterfly was a fav



Malachite open wings

Queen

Julia

Julia open wings

White Peacock

Zebra

Spicebush Swallowtail

Later that afternoon, we enjoyed a surprise butterfly visit at home!! The kids were so excited "..it is huge!!". Larger than any of the butterflies we saw in the observatory.

Giant Swallowtail

I smiled when what appeared to be the same swallowtail fluttered past me again the following morning.