October 13 , 2011
Caterpillars to love with Meredith O’Reilly from Great Stems!
Last week we taped theBulverde / Spring Branch library’sglorious butterfly stroke garden .
design and maintained by the Friends of the Library and theComal County Master Gardeners , this tribute to all wildlife will air in 2012 . They tell me that children channelize straight for the garden , promptly place testicle , cat , chrysalids , moths and butterflies , thanks to Charlotte Trussell ’s photographic gallery and the ledger at heart .
I question : Do children encounter such exaltation in cat because they tell apart a kindred spirit : a dry pint - sized creature with an appetite the size of the lunar month ? Though this Pipevine morning coat butterfly stroke cat prefers Dutchman ’s Pipe to peanut butter sandwich !
Do children somehow lie with that with each bite , little ones are one footstep closer to the magical transmutation to adulthood ? Here ’s the Pipevine swallowtail pose her eggs on Dutchman ’s pipework .
( Well , that transmutation is soft for butterflies than for most of us . Some parents would note that their teens go in a “ chrysalis ” until it ’s time to leave home ! )
But dreary to say , on that road to maturity , some of us gulf from that other fascination and only see something eating our industrial plant .
But the Bordered Patch caterpillers that dine on our sunflowers andWedelia texana(Zexmenia ) sprain into the butterfly stroke that brighten our day as nectaring adults . This one ’s on my Wedelia . We simply have to have the “ horrific twos ” and teenager !
Most gardeners are intimate with this Gulf Fritillary on my passionvine , and we receive their nascence in our garden as home - farm butterflies .
But do you hump the moth that lays her nut on your Mexican plum ?
This week on CTG , find out out when Tom meets withNational Wildlife FederationHabitat Steward Meredith O’Reilly . She take a few flora that adult butterfly and moth point to lay their eggs .
For a snitcher peep , the Cecropia moth lays its eggs on your Mexican plum . Thanks to Dan Hardy from theAustin Butterfly Forumfor these photo !
Here ’s the “ teenager . ”
big butterflies and bee nectar on Mexican plum ’s early spring flowers , and birds dine on its posterior fruits .
The Giant swallowtail hones in on native wafer ash tree ( Ptelea trifoliata)to stir its young .
Giant swallowtails nectar on many works , including native coneflower .
And your native coral honeysuckle feed the larva of the beautiful Snowberry Clearwing moth .
Get Meredith ’s CTG list here . And contain out her outstanding photo gallery and wildlife secrets at her web log , Great Stems ! Both of us have learned a lot from The Austin Butterfly Forum . you may too , withplant listing for ambrosia and larval plants , meetings and much more !
Here ’s a connection toAustin ’s Habitat Steward web site . It ’s booked up for this season , but control in with them to join this salient program in the future .
On turn , see how Betty Rongaturned a brow in Leander into a butterfly stroke , bee , and bird sanctuary . When she and married man Gerald progress their home of two dreams , she wanted her garden to be heavenly for wildlife , too . Along with their intellectual nourishment , shelter , and water supply , she and Gerald dine on constitutive vegetables and her orchard fruit . Meander with them along the assailable four flush and intimate a front court of fragrancy , colour , and Mexican art . Oh , yes , check out Gerald ’s swing in his golf redact green , where golf game and horticulture unite in this house of two dream !
Since we ’re heading into planting prime time for bush and trees , Daphne ’s pick of the weekis an evergreen drought - tough native : Goldenball leadtree ( Leucaena retusa ) .
Daphne notes : “ I encounter that its wispy , light - gullible separate leaves instil a sentiency of peace in a light snap . It is quite a ticklish specimen when compared to our more husky tree , and it looks great in the garden if given a place all its own , to support out and be a focal spot . It also looks endearing when attach to by smaller shrubs as accent . ”
From later spring to descend , its sweet fragrant flowers attract many butterfly and bees .
unremarkably it grows to 15 ’ tall and 5 - 10 ’ wide , but can get prominent .
That run to viewer Aimee Casper ’s cracking question this week : the plant tatter on her crape Vinca minor says one thing , but on-line resources say another . How do you know how self-aggrandizing it really gets?Get Daphne ’s solvent .
Update : Aimee note that the plant tatter on a newTecoma Stans(Esperanza / chickenhearted Vanessa Bell ) order 3 - 4 ’ , but she knows the same one can grow to 8 ’ in her garden . A few years ago , when we had all that summer rainwater , my turk ’s caps grew up to my olfactory organ . So , as Daphne note : grower provenance , weather , soil , and pee make a huge difference !
As we head back out to our chores , it ’s a short ton easier with a well - stock up garden base . It ’s a real pain in the ass to be running back to the sign or the shed for something you necessitate at hand . This workweek , Trisha break what you ’ll find in her garden bag , plus her trick for taming unruly string !
CTG would love to see how you lug your toolsand what you let in ! ship you depiction & list to me for future CTGs . llehmusvirta@klru.org .
Augie ’s Pet of the Week : Donkeys Julian and Rose at from Dorsey and Susan atHausbar Farms !
Dorsey Barger write , “ Our two babe Equus asinus Julian and Rose are terrific friends who also help oneself in the garden . They keep the pastures mow , eat on crop balance , and provide very in high spirits quality compost fabric in return . ” That compost fuels the organic food for your dining experience atEastside Cafe !
Until next week!Linda
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