Mariposa Gardening and Design Blog
The butterflies are out
I am a backyard naturalist, not one who regularly combs wild places, like my friend, Michelle. However, I am seeing all sorts of butterflies in the garden as the weather begins to warm, and the flowers begin to bloom. So far, I have seen a Buckeye that I was able to identify, and a few other species that got away before I could get a good look at them in the midst of my work outside. I will start a list. More on the species that are out next week. Update...yesterday I was sitting in the sun talking to Neil, my main employee, and a Painted Lady came and landed right on my knee. It must have been a warm spot because it seemed to be enjoying sunning itself there.
On another note, the California Native Wildflowers are going in the gardens where I have spread seeds. I have been thinking lately about the hills in the Bay Area and how they were covered in wildflowers and grasses that didn’t turn the hills to brown in the summer (Michelle could tell us all about this, she researches the grassy areas that are still intact--not many of them). More and more, I am planting native grasses and wildflowers with great success and satisfaction from my clients. Putting native grasses and wildflowers in your garden not only add naturalistic beauty, but also give back to the lovely creatures of the earth by providing food and shelter in places where that can be rare, especially in the cities.
Check out this great website on butterflies. The gardening page has great info! http://butterflywebsite.com/index.htm
