We were at the Highlands Oncology Group (H.O.G.) yesterday, and saw a hand-made poster. "Just when a caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."
This may be the original version - "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly."--Richard Bach. We see many three generation groups at HOG, not always sure if it is grandparent, child, or grandchild being treated.
As readers know, I have always used Creation or organic principles in growing gardens in Michigan, Minnesota, St. Louis, and Arkansas. Various attempts to use the sunniest part of our yard in Arkansas just started to succeed this summer. In that narrowly defined and very sunny area, I have great examples of -
- Wild Ginger Hidden Lily
- Joe Pye
- Comfrey
- Yarrow
- Chaste Tree.
Recently I walked around the corner of this remote location (hardest to reach and to enjoy) - and it was alive with birds feeding, rabbits sheltering, and butterflies flying. The area is bathed in sunshine and boasts the richest soil in the yard, layers of organic matter (newspaper, wood mulch, hay bales) and plenty of earthworms.
Now we spend time on the porch, in the shade, overlooking the rose garden. Once Ranger Bob installed the hummingbird feeder, the hummingbird activity increased. Instead of catching a glimpse of them, they parade around the garden to sip the flowers and stop to feed and fight at the little feeder.
The result is not only the bird and rabbit population doing well, but the hummingbird and butterfly provide a constant source of peace, enjoyment, and surprises. Hummers are the only birds who hover and move closer to humans as they increase their trust. Two zoomed in so close that the audience started to duck. I sensed them laughing at us.
How Did This Happen?
I doubt whether the creatures are as geographical as we are, so our yard is a combination of convenient shelters and food sources for them. This took time to develop from an overgrown and seldom trimmed lot to one where the trees are pruned, the grass is cut, and a wide variety of plants are grown.- The backyard Gardener fence has a row of blooming Crepe Myrtle and flowering Hosta at the moment.
- The backyard Wright fence is mostly wild, with some Butterfly Weed and raspberries. Mouse Ears are doing well, and they host a butterfly two.
- The bedroom windows are shaded by large Butterfly Bushes that always receive extra rain water and enjoyed a lot of extra organic feeding last fall. That helped when the rains fell, so we now have blooms above the roofline and butterflies tending them.
- The rose garden matured in many ways this summer -
- Mountain Mints
- Bee Balms
- Cat Mints
- Hosta
- Joe Pye
- Fever Few
- Wild Strawberry
- Chaste Tree
- Crepe Myrtle
- Spirea Bush
- Daisies
- Trumpet Vine (also in the backyard)
- Balloon Flowers
- Butterfly Weed.
Beneficial insects, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love this combination of steady blooms, tiny flowers, and seasonal blooms, keeping them in food and shelter year around. I will transplant a lot of free Hostas, because they bloom heartily during the late summer and feed the hummers.
Fall planting seems to be viewed as food for the rabbits all winter, so the additions next spring will be:
- More roses - Veterans Honor
- More Joe Pye
- More Feverfew
- Hibiscus for color
- Maybe some of highly touted ground covers
- Definitely Clethra where it can be the star of the show.
