Native Gardening

[j.w]

You are so good to your critters @JBtheExplorer

 

[mrsclem]

Look they are just about to go to chrysalis stage! We didn't get many this year on monarchs. Tons of tiger swallowtails and black swallowtails. Have a cage coming tomorrow so I can bring in 10 caterpillars that are on my dill plant.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

What kind of butterfly do they turn into?

Monarchs

Look they are just about to go to chrysalis stage! We didn't get many this year on monarchs. Tons of tiger swallowtails and black swallowtails. Have a cage coming tomorrow so I can bring in 10 caterpillars that are on my dill plant.

Yes they were all very close. I tried dill for black swallowtails, but didn't have any luck. I'll try again next year.

 

[mrsclem]

Got my cage and found 3 more monarch cats. Milkweed is covered with caterpillars but not monarch. Tussock moths! Cute but not nice.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Got my cage and found 3 more monarch cats. Milkweed is covered with caterpillars but not monarch. Tussock moths! Cute but not nice.

I'm jealous. I never get the tussock moth caterpillars.

 

[mrsclem]

I will send you a bunch! Hundreds here.

 

[j.w]

We have those Tussock moth caterpillars here and they do bad things to my Spruce tree! Harmful to many other trees also. https://www.thoughtco.com/tussock-moth-caterpillars-4097354

 

[JBtheExplorer]

We have those Tussock moth caterpillars here and they do bad things to my Spruce tree! Harmful to many other trees also. https://www.thoughtco.com/tussock-moth-caterpillars-4097354

The ones I like are milkweed tussock moths. The caterpillars only eat milkweed, so no harm to trees.

 

[Lisak1]

Thought of you when I was reading this article this morning @JBtheExplorer . We've visited the Shedd countless times and I had no idea these gardens were even a thing!

The Shedd Aquarium grows food its animals eat in gardens around its lakeshore campus. The woman behind it is retiring after 25 years.

One of the Shedd Aquarium’s most spectacular exhibits is located outside. For the last 25 years, horticulturalist Christine Nye has designed and meticulously maintained the 4 acres of gardens…

www.chicagotribune.com

 

[Tula]

Wow, what a legacy she's leaving behind !

Today we cut back some honey suckle and planted some goldenrod on a hillside to reduce erosion and attract pollinators. Hubby used rocks to create litter cubbies in the hillside and to plant the goldenrod in. Turned out really well

 

[addy1]

We planted golden rod years ago, have it growing here and there and everywhere. I don't see a ton of bees on it, but you can smell it when they bring it into the hives. Some say dirty sock smell, I smell butterscotch.

 

[mrsclem]

Anybody growing Mexican Flame vine? Got 2 and have been taking cuttings. Similar flower to Mexican Sunflower

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Anybody growing Mexican Flame vine? Got 2 and have been taking cuttings. Similar flower to Mexican Sunflower

I wish it were native and hardy. I remember seeing photos of that plant years ago. Beautiful vine!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

The native garden, mid-winter.

 

[Alice_Bee]

Funny, I feel the same about non-native plants.
Not all native plants are drought tolerant. Native doesn't mean drought tolerant. There are many native wetland plants, many native plants that will die quickly in dry soil.

I'd personally take my highly interesting Wild Columbine over non-native plants like Hostas or Coral Bells any day.
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View attachment 91170

I also prefer the columbine. I can keep them alive, but not hostas or coral bells without heavily amending and constant watering. I soak water every few days and the columbines and asters and butterfly weeds tolerate it