Wildlife Wednesday October 2016: Monarch migration is about more than milkweed

Gardeners in South Texas hear a lot about planting milkweed for the monarchs since most North American monarchs pass through our area as they migrate southward.  But milkweed is just part of the picture.  Butterflies need milkweed as a host plant but nectar plants are most important in the fall.  Unlike the journey north in the spring where multiple generations make the journey the fall monarch migration means a one generation flight south.  Just as I was learning more about this important difference, a timely article on nectar plants from the Wildflower Center appeared in my Facebook feed.  I noted that all five recommended plants are currently in my garden.  Without even trying to create a butterfly habitat or specifically include nectar plants I had done so by simply choosing fall blooming native plants because they grow so well in my climate.

Already a few monarchs have appeared in the garden and more are on the way.  For Wildlife Wednesday hosted by Tina at "My gardener says..." I decided to check off the list of important nectar sources for monarch butterflies which will soon appear in my own garden.

Shrubby boneset (Ageratina havanensis)

I have several of these plants commonly know as white mistflower in both front and back gardens.  The plants were purchased as Eupatorium havanensis so the botanical name has apparently changed.  In early November fragrant white flowers will light up the garden.  The photo below is from several years ago.

We had a weird weather year and white mistflower also bloomed this spring.  I cut the plants back and hoped for a second bloom this year.  Looks like I'll get my wish as new fall flowers are forming now.

Gregg's Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)

Gregg's mistflower is blooming away right on time and currently covered with queen butterflies.  An occasional monarch has joined them but the main migration is still ahead.  I'll deadhead soon to get more blooms for the main migration season.

I'll never tire of seeing butterflies go crazy over my plants.  As I walk through they all fly up and I can sense their movement.

Monarch enjoying Gregg's mistflower from several years ago.

Maxmillian Sunflowers (Helianthus maximiliani)

Growing behind the deer fence where they were protected from deer which love to eat Maximilian sunflowers right down to the ground these plants have been shaded a bit too much and are not yet blooming.

Now that the yard is fully fenced, I'll plant this year's seeds in several sunny locations along the back fence.  As perennials they grow back from the roots each year so once established there's little to do other than watch them grow.  They are still opening which should have them ready as the main migration comes through.  To see them in full bloom check out this post from Sheryl at Windows on a Texas Wildscape.

Frostweed (Verbesina virginica)

My friend Cheryl shared one plant last year and it's growing well under the shade of oaks along the back fence.  As another easy care perennial, I look forward to having more Frostweed plants next fall.

The first one to bloom has faded but there's another producing blooms close by.

Fall aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Our native aster is planted near the front fence, it's getting a little too much shade but should bloom well later this fall before I move it to a sunnier spot.  I had to move it when the deer discovered it and I'll try to make a better spot for it next year.

Here's a photo of aster blooms along the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk so you can see how gorgeous they are massed in bloom.

So five checks on the butterfly nectar plant list.  I did see a monarch laying eggs on milkweed earlier this week so they need both nectar and milkweed host plants.  With all these recommended plants in the garden you'd think the monarchs would flock there except in past years I've noted monarch butterflies prefer Gomphrena 'Fireworks" in my garden.  Gomphrena is native to deep south Texas and northern Mexico, so maybe they just think it's a later stop along the way.

I read that the migration is running a bit slow this year which is a good thing since several of the plants on the list are yet to bloom.  It would be nice to have the blooms and butterflies arrive at the same time.

For those of you who live in San Antonio there is a native plant sale at Hardberger Park next Saturday October 8th, 2016, in the morning sponsored by Native Plant Society of Texas where you might find some of these great nectar plants for your garden.

Check out the comments in Tina's post for more wildlife in the garden and I'll return in early November with a roundup of fall wildlife in the garden.

Wildlife Wednesday February 2016

It's Wildlife Wednesday hosted by Tina at "My Gardener Says..." on the first Wednesday of each month providing an opportunity to share wildlife from our gardens.  With our mild winter this year  we've had visitors like this Gulf Fritillary butterfly posing on faded Gomphrena 'Fireworks' for a striking color combination.

Otherwise, it's been another slow month for wildlife.  I actually spent some time trying to photo a Skink which is the very definition of an exercise in futility.  Aggie Horticulture has some photos on their website if you're interested.  Skinks are beneficial in the garden since their favorite food source is grasshoppers.  It seems we have several but they are so fast I might be seeing the same one in different places!

Just like last month I've returned to the archives for more bird antics.



There's a backstory on how it went down that day.   Lesser Goldfinches, two look like young chicks, having a bath in the saucer when a Black Crested Titmouse shows up to the party.  Stern looks are exchanged.

Things get a bit crowded.  Surprised looks follow.



Some objections are raised.  Feathers fly.  But not the Titmouse.

Black Crested Titmouse exits the pool, shaking butt as it leaves.



"Hey, wait a minute!"

Now we have a staring contest underway.  You lookin' at me?

Some trash talkin'

"We'll just finish up here"

Maybe there's enough room after all

Almost done here.  What we we arguing about?

Okay, I'm out...

I spent a nice day earlier this week cutting back Inland Sea Oats which were looking a bit tatty and never seem to mind a late freeze.  A doe showed up looking for an free lunch in the compost pile.  Since deer don't typically go for grasses, I cut a few Ruellia stalks and added them to the pile for which she rewarded me with a smile.  It's tough for deer out there right now with so many winter dormant plants.

That's the roundup of wildlife in my garden for this month.  Tina has a post on the value of native bees in the garden.  You'll want to check out how to attract native bees to your garden.  I definitely will give her bee townhouse a try.

GBBD June 2015

What's blooming for June 2015?  More than enough for a Garden Blogger's Bloom Day post so let's get started with a tour of the circle garden.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day May 2015

It's Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and time to join bloggers from all over to share what's blooming in our gardens.  GBBD is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens on the 15th of each month.  If you've been reading Central Texas blogs you already know that it's been raining for weeks.  In San Antonio our rainfall for the year is seven inches above average and our nearly four years of drought are officially over as of this week.  Here's a look at what's blooming in my garden the last few days.

Indian Blanket or Firewheel.  I just love having wildflowers take over the back garden.  Most were not planted, they just seeded themselves in from a nearby field.

Mexican Hats

Greenthread or Navajo Tea

Native Monarda, Bee Balm or Lemon Mint is just beginning to bloom pale purple backed by those bright Indian Blanket flowers.

There are plenty of cool hues in the garden this week.  Purples in the form of Larkspur still blooming due to our cooler, cloudy spring.  The red accent is Gomphrena 'Strawberry Fields' which reseed every year and there's even a remaining Bluebonnet tucked in the mix.

Salvia Amistad which attracts hummingbirds

Verbena Bonariensis continues to hold up in the stock tank garden though it is listing a bit.  I've been trimming it back a bit at a time so as not to upset the butterflies.

Duranta 'Sapphire Showers' is almost eight feet tall since it didn't die back this year.

Pink phlox, no tag and I don't remember seeing it before.

Delicate pink canna bloom with an oddly colorless canna bloom.  These canna were grown from seed so just about anything can happen.

Clammyweed draped in Mexican Feather Grass



Bunny Ears cactus blooming bright yellow with Larkspur.  The silvery foliage is Wormwood started from a 4-inch pot several years ago.

Iris Dietes (left) and St. John's Wort (yellow), an invasive that I keep contained in a small area.

Heading back to the warmer side of the color wheel.  The flowers of St. John's Wort are so delicate.

Yellow Cestrum, another plant that did not die back so it's blooming much earlier.

Dyckia 'Frazzle Dazzle' with cute yellow blooms against silvery foliage.

Gray Santolina topped by yellow blooms.  Ruby Crystals grass in the background.

Reds supplied by Shrimp Plant

Yarrow 'Paprika'  with its gold centers fits right in to the spring garden.  It will retreat when the heat sets in.

Bat Faced Cuphea is both red and deep purple.  Can you see the little bat face?

Magenta Gomphrena 'Fireworks'.  Gomphrena will always have a place in my garden, it's so reliable and drought tolerant.

Coral blooms on the Hedgehog Cactus and ...

Hesperaloe which the deer are leaving alone this year.

Lantana 'Bandana' brings in the orange hues.

Lion's Tail, another plant that did not die back this past winter and is already blooming.

A very special pair of orange Zinnias.  Not only are the flowers a color I loved adding to the garden, they were gifts from our garden club president in recognition of my service in putting together several programs and field trips this past year.  Thank you Karen!

There are two Zinnia plants because I have volunteered to be club historian next year (or two).  I'll attend all the meetings, events and field trips to take photos.  It's something I look forward to and expect to enjoy since I blog about most of our trips anyway.  I just need to work on including more people in my shots.

See May Dreams Gardens for more from Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.