Category: Pollinators

Open Native Plant Yard – Sat., July 17

Front yard - summer 2021Our native plant yard is now 16 years old, and we’re hosting a drop-in for anyone who is interested.

I still remember when we began, how much it helped to see other native plant gardens. We also enjoy visiting with others who are interested in encouraging butterflies and other valuable pollinators.

We’d be glad for you to join us!

Saturday, July 17, 2021
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Harry and Betty Hall
224 Leawood Dr., Lexington KY  40502
Click for Google Maps

Rain date: Saturday, July 24, 2021 – same time.

Questions?  Contact me.

Butterfly and Native Plant Resources and Images

I appreciate everyone who is giving monarchs and other butterflies a helping hand, and I want to support them however I can. One way to do that is by sharing resources I’ve created and photos I’ve taken.

For example, I managed to photograph a monarch laying eggs in our backyard in 2006, and the amazing transformations that occurred from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and finally to a new adult.

I’ve recently added a web page with butterfly and native plant resources for educators and anyone interested in butterflies. It includes:

  • Monarch life cycle
  • How to create a Monarch Way Station
  • 25 Kentucky native plants – for beginners who want to attract butterflies

In addition to the PDFs, photos on my website may be downloaded for educational purposes. If you need higher resolution images for printing, please contact me.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Van Gogh

Small “tigers” in the backyard

I continue to be intrigued by our backyard moths. I’m now seeing several of these small (about one inch) TIger Moths (Apantesis phalerata or A. nais) near an outside light at night.

Small tiger moth

I was surprised to see this one during the day on a Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) bud, and delighted when it spread its forewings and allowed me to see the colorful hindwings. Continue reading “Small “tigers” in the backyard”

Monarch Waystation Garden Tour – a huge success!

What a great day! We had beautiful weather and ten beautiful Monarch Waystations. 250 people bought tickets, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the tour.

I was delighted to see this female monarch in our backyard yesterday nectaring on blazing stars (Liatris) and then laying an egg on our common milkweed. It was almost as though she was saying ‘thank you’!

Monarch nectaring on Blazing Starmonarch-nectaring on-blazing-starI appreciate the efforts of everyone involved, including Beate Popkin, president of the Lexington Chapter of Wild Ones, the board members, the Monarch Waystation Tour committee, and 45 volunteers who made it run so smoothly.

I had fun, and I’ve heard similar feedback from the other garden owners. We appreciated the opportunity to share our gardens with other folks who are genuinely interested in learning more about how to help Monarchs and other pollinators. Thanks to all!