That's great! My brain is fried--what is BES? I'll have to take some photos and do the same. It would be great to see how people lay out the BF gardens.

Sandy

Looks like butterfly heaven to me. I can't wait to see follow-up photos when everything is filled in and blooming. Great work!

Martha

BES - Black Eyed Susan? Only a Susan would think of that, lol!

Looks great, Jeff. I never plan let alone draw out a plan...so as far as I'm concerned, you're on your own.

Susan

Yes, BES is Black-Eyed Susan. It's my "wish plant" -- I wish I could get some Silvery Checkerspot Chlosyne nycteis caterpillars on it.

So far, what I've gotten instead is an aggressive seeder. Those BES pop up everywhere...

Jeff

Nice mix of nectar and host plants. I'm sure you'll have a lot of happy butterflies this season!
Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden

Kim, I LOVE your photos and your blog! Thanks for sharing it!

Susan

Great idea Jeff! Every winter I think of organizing enough to have a plan. Each spring it is shot to hell when I go to the nursery, various plant sales, and collecting seed. I just end up sticking stuff willy nilly. Sigh...I got very jealous when I saw one of our poster's very organized garden plots. This year we are having the swimming pool filled in (if the rain ever stops). So I have been moving plants from the area. I am going to have a large area to fill in. I can't wait!
-Elisabeth

I admire your organization, Jeff. I used to plan things out, and I still do to an extent, like I'll consider the colors of flowers and how well they'll go together.
It would really be great if you could some silvery checkerspot cats!
Sherry

I see one flaw, that spicebush you plan on putting there is going to take over half that bed once its mature. I would suggest putting something else there instead.

Hmm...interesting. The plan is for it to grow, of course, and for semi-shade plants to live underneath. It has stiff competition from my neighbor's lilacs (stage left), so it remains to be seen how big it will get.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Jeff

I know there is another thread on the spicebush..however, the one we have outside in full sun at the butterfly house is at least 12 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide. It is only in the shade that they stay relatively small (and that is relative). They are nice at that size though and really attract spicebush bf!
-Elisabeth

Great plan! Thanks for sharing. I would love to see new pictures as the garden progresses through the season.

Melissa

May ...

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Thanks for sharing the new picture! Looks like everything is coming along nicely! I have been thinking about adding violas, but I have heard they are very invasive. Have you found that to be the case in your garden? Have you ever found any eggs on them? I also like all of the rocks. I assume for puddling? I have a small area of rocks that I have added near a downspout for that purpose, but I like how you have them throughout. It looks very nice.

Melissa

My garden plan basically consists of planting various invasives and letting them have at it.

That's not strictly true, but it's close enough: the Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Black-Eyed Susans, Coneflower, Joe-Pye Weed, Dill, Red Clover, and Monarda are all "vigorous seeders."

But yes, I find myself pulling bazillions of violets out of "unauthorized areas."

I find Variegated Fritillary eggs and cats on them here and then. I've never found any Great-Spangled Frit caterpillars. I understand that I have to come out with a flashlight to find them feeding.

Jeff

Thanks for posting that information.

I'm also a fan of the aggressive re-seeders. I think this year I'm just going to walk through occasionally and pull out dandelions and other obvious non-butterfly weeds. I have seedlings from all my nectar and host plants coming up by the hundreds. Is it possible for the plants to get too crowded? And how do you know what is too crowded? Or should I just let them do their thing and the strong will survive? Last year was definitely my best butterfly year, and this year the plants are positively lush and multiplying. I just need the butterflies to arrive.

Martha

I planted some seeds of both Asclepias tuberosa and A. curissavica. Both are just now poking up through the ground.