A must have

One of the things I enjoy about gardening is the trial-and-error aspect of it all. Plant something here, plant something there. Plant this variety, or that. Some thrive, some shrivel up and die. Some give off lots of seeds, while others spread voluntarily. A garden becomes a work of art, as you continue to fill in the spaces and make it a butterfly wonderland.

Recently the plant of success has been the zinnia. This plant is incredibly easy to grow from seed and does not take too long to mature. It’s one that keeps giving, as well. The best part is it is doing well without our daily Florida rain, in the heat, nonetheless. I have found that they do best in the ground, though, and not so well in pots.

By far the best addition to the garden, the ever stunning, visited often, zinnia.

Slow growth

It’s fascinating that the female atala butterfly can lay eggs in clusters of up to 60 or more, all on new growth of its host plant, the coontie. I read that eggs are approximately 1 to 1.25 mm in size.

A beauty

The polydamas swallowtail resting on a zinnia stem. It wasn’t until this year I began planting zinnia flowers by seed. I am so glad I did. This flower is a butterfly magnet and incredibly easy to grow. I have many guest-starters all over the garden from where the seeds flew.

Patiently waiting

Last week when the atala butterfly visited my garden, she left behind quite a few eggs on the new growth of my coontie. Every day I take a walk in the garden to check and see if the caterpillars have arrived. I would think in the next couple of days they will make their grand entrance.