The only plant that remained in my front yard as we began to make over the front space for my butterfly garden was the jasmine tree. This tree blooms a few times a year and when it does the aroma is intoxicating. As soon as you walk out the front door the sweet smell attacks your senses in such a beautiful way.
A wonderful perk, the butterflies seem to enjoy the jasmine nectar as well. This great southern white butterfly spent a great deal of time drinking to its hearts content. It was not bothered by me standing nearby at all.
I’m really excited about the two pathways that are going through the butterfly garden.
The brick pathway is through the first portion of the garden, which is complete. My daughter painted them years ago, but the paint has since come off, or fading a ton. I may have to scrub them clean, so she can create new designs on them again.
The stone pathway I began today to go through the second portion of the garden.
This pathway, although is very time consuming, I’m loving how it is turning out. My husband brought bricks home years ago and I never knew quite what to do with them. I started getting rid of them, a little every week, until an idea sprung.
I am now using a sledge hammer and breaking them to create another artsy pathway. It’s a huge jigsaw puzzle putting all the broken pieces together.
The best part of today, of course was watching the variety of butterflies that visited the garden while I was out there. We had monarchs, gulf fritillaries, orange barred sulphurs, great southern whites, dainty sulphurs, Cassius blue, polydamas swallowtail and one I got extremely excited about, the giant swallowtail. I sure have created an oasis!
This video shows a polydamas swallowtail, orange barred sulphur and gulf fritillary.
The great southern white butterfly is always a welcome sight in the garden. The pepperweed started popping up everywhere, its host plant, which was followed by an influx of the butterflies, and my favorite – eggs, then caterpillars!
We had 24 butterflies emerge in our butterfly house during the month of March.
The great southern white butterfly has had a very successful last couple of days in the butterfly house. We’ve had one emerge daily, with today being the most at six. My favorite part of this butterfly are the tips of the antennas. Look at that turquoise. Breathtaking.
This species is definitely in an abundance in and around the garden with lots of pepperweed for it to lay eggs on, and lately enjoy the red penta.
