August Garden Blooms & Pollinators

Heat and humidity get kicked up a notch in August, making it tough for any serious gardening. But getting outside is rewarding when there are so many butterflies, hummingbirds, lizards, birds and other insects to distract from the sweat, fire ant bites and mosquitoes.  It's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Follow the link to see what others are sharing. 

Here are the blooms that are carrying our garden through the end of summer and supporting all that wildlife. 

Starting on the south side of our house, the spectacular Susan's hug visitors who make their way to the front door. Partnered with pink and purple Mexican petunias (Rueilla) and [still blooming] butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), it is a hang out for bees, butterflies and hummers.

Southern Meadows

Also, in this bed is spring blooming, golden alexander that is hosting black swallowtail caterpillars this time of year.

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The distinctive blooms of Passiflora incarnata, are a great nectar source for bees and butterflies and a foliage is a buffet for variegated and gulf fritillary caterpillars.  Be sure to visit again soon as I have an upcoming post on this native vine.

Southern Meadows


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The towering liatris spicata and willowy coreopsis are dangling over the stairs that wrap around the front of the house requiring a little choreography to get around these perfect pollinator plants. You can read more about the liatris show and all the butterflies and bees it attracts on my previous post here

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It's a tough world out there for insects. As much as we enjoy watching the butterflies, they are food for others. This poor lady looks like she almost fell prey to a bird and lost her tails.

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I have to brag on the Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum). It stands tall at the woodland edge and is covered in swallowtail butterflies. It is a spectacular show. 

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Yesterday I counted over 40 Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and they keep coming! This JPW is planted near one of their host plants, tulip poplar trees (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). I like to think that they don't have to travel far to find food for their different lifecycle stages. 

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In the same bed are other tall (up to 7 feet!) wildflowers that share similar growing conditions; 'Henry Eilers Rudbeckia subtomentosa and tall ironweed (Vernonia gigantea). The buttery yellow blooms on this rudbeckia make an unique edition to this planting trio. 

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The deep purple of the tall ironweed is a favorite late summer flower for long-tongued bees, skipper butterflies and bee flies. This has just come into bloom and will continue into September. 

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Lastly, I want to share cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis).  The tall spikes of our plant flopped over during our period of drought in July. Interestingly, the fallen spikes put out multiple stems providing even more shorter bright blooms. The red tubular flowers are loved by the hummers and cloudless sulphur butterflies. 

Southern Meadows

Hope you enjoyed a look at our late summer garden. I appreciate you stopping by.

Comments

  1. Look at the butterflies on the Joe! Impressive!

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  2. I love the way the swallowtails arrange themselves on your JPW. Like choreography! I also appreciate the view of your chomped plants. I always forget that when there’s plant damage from insects, it’s somehow supporting the ecosystem. I need to be more tolerant of that!

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    1. The plants that are eaten by caterpillars recover better than those that get free pruning from the deer! But yes, I love seeing chewing on my plants...caterpillars or leafcutter bees or other beneficial insects.

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  3. Beautiful flowers, and I love seeing all the wildlife too!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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    1. Thanks Lea! We love sharing our garden with all those critters.

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  4. You're braver than I am, Karin! Fire ants have me largely avoiding one entire area of my garden at the moment. I love your butterfly and caterpillar pics, especially those showing their attraction to the Joe Pye Weed - I've long wished I could grow that plant in my climate and now I have even more reason for frustration with the fact I can't.

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    1. Every time I am out in the garden I manage to find a fire ant nest. I am constantly covered in bites. Do you ever use diotomaceous earth on them? I find that works pretty well.

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  5. Beautiful blooms.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to Gardening here. http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/08/garden-affair-link-up-party.html

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  6. Love the containers on the porch, looks like pineapples. I am in awe of all the butterflies, just amazing!
    Just read what you said to Kris using diatomaceous earth for fire ants. Will give it a try. We sure have a ton of them.

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    1. We have found it to be the best thing to control fire ants. Let me know how it works for you.

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  7. Thank you for posting your blog! It sure brought a smile to my Hoosier native plant loving face! My garden is young and your garden is an inspiration!

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    1. Thanks Heidi! You have an exciting future for your garden using native plants. We've been working on this garden for almost 14 years and seen the population of insects, amphibians, snakes and other wildlife explode. It is very rewarding!

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  8. Hi Karin :) Your garden is lovely. Great photos of the butterflies! How amazing to wake up so such beauty and colour every morning! :)

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    1. Thank you! Yes, my garden is my retreat and we embrace all the wildlife that enjoys it with us.

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  9. Wow 40 butterflies how exciting. Your garden is simply gorgeous. It makes me want to start a flower garden.

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    1. Thank you! You should start a flower garden. It is so very rewarding!

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  10. Wow, that photo will all the Tiger Swallowtails is just amazing! (I'm jealous.)

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    1. It has been an outstanding year for swallowtails in our garden! I have so enjoyed watching them!

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One of my favorite things about blogging is the conversation with readers. Leave a comment and let's get talking. ~Karin

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