catching up

I certainly left you all "high & dry" didn't I?!  Yikes ~ my apologies.  Somehow it still hasn't slowed down then my Mom came for a visit.  I had good intentions of posting before she arrived but as you know, that never happened.  Temperatures were in the upper 80's for most of her visit so we were able to be in the garden a LOT (hardly having to pretend it was summer.)  She was excited to see the changes in my back garden especially since I hadn't even started those when she visited this spring.  On one of the afternoons during her visit, I spied what I thought was a newly emerged Monarch butterfly.  I flew into the house to grab my camera but by the time I got back, the butterfly had totally disappeared.  I began to wonder/doubt if it really was "new" but then today, look what I discovered a few feet below where the butterfly had been drying:

The empty chrysalis!!!!  I can't believe I found it after the fact ~ I had searched & searched all around the milkweed in that bed when the caterpillars first disappeared.   Then today, there it was ~ attached to the underside of the urn that sits in front of the birdhouse tuteur.  Arggg.  Next year, I'm going to have to search a LOT better as I would really love to follow the whole process.

One butterfly I didn't miss photographing was this Western Tiger Swallowtail sipping on Verbena bonariensis just today:

Since I last posted, I've also had another Amaryllis bloom.  'Aphrodite' was purchased on clearance after Christmas last year but didn't bloom then:

SO pretty but I have to admit, it seems more than a little strange to see an Amaryllis in bloom during "pumpkin" season. 

Big & little orange globes have been scattered about the garden & I particularly like this one mixed with Fuchsia 'Autumnale:'

The foliage of 'Autumnale' is so impressive ~ it 'almost' makes the blooms inconsequential:

Don't you agree???  Anyone else growing this one?

My Mom & I also got into some dangerous shopping in the fairy garden section of one local greenhouse.  Oh my.  Look at two new additions that made the trip home with us:

I think I'm hopelessly addicted!  And definitely excited to bring it all to life next spring.  I want to go back for the blue crystals & place them under the bridge to create a pond.  This is exactly the reason I never jumped into the fairy garden arena before ~ thanks again Dora!!!

Other blooms in the garden right now are Buddleia 'Honeycomb:'

Anemones:

'Sweet Autumn' Clematis:

and finally, buds on the Brugmansia.

I'm not sure why this plant waits until almost frost to produce blooms??  I hope a few make it to flower since it will soon be time to start hauling it (& all the other tender plants) to the basement.  I can't believe how fast summer flies by each year.  I also know I can't be the only one who wonders where September went??   It's gone so fast, I'm already counting down the days until next garden season!!

 

 

Comments

[Karin/Southern Meadows]

Stunning photos! It must have been really exciting to see the butterfly fresh out of its chrysalis. I have the caterpillars and the butterflies but haven't spotted the chrysalis' yet. They must be somewhere in my garden I must look harder.

[PlantPostings]

I agree--the Pumpkin with the Fuchsia is a fantastic combination. I'll have to remember that next year! Glad to hear you had a wonderful visit with your mom.

[Lona]

I love the foliage on that Fuchsia Kathleen. I knew you would really get into that Fairy Garden. LOL! So much fun creating for it. The white Anemone is so beautiful. I love white blooms. How sweet that the Amaryllis finally bloomed for you. It is a beauty!

[Grace]

I'm wondering where September went too. Your photos are amazing and I love that chrysalis. I'm glad you had fun with your mom.

[Jennifer]

Hi Kathleen, September zipped on by didn't it! I am glad you had a great visit with your Mom.
It is funny...I have my own fairy obsession going at the moment too...only mine is with fairy images and lore. I have been working on a future post using fairy imagery.
Your flower shots are all gorgeous, but I have to say I love the pumpkin photograph best. Next spring I hope I can find a Sweet Autumn clematis. They are so nice to have to brighten up the late fall garden. The butterfly and the crystal cocoon are beautiful.

[Dana]

I have missed your posts! Love the new pics and glad your mom got to come and see your gorgeous gardens and yard project. My Brug is now full of blooms too - that's never happened before. Hope I get to see them - but I fear they will be opening when I'm in NYC. Sorry you missed the Butterfly - who would have thought to look THERE!

[Helen]

I dont know the fairy business I dont think it is here in the UK so I am a little confused. Fab photos

[Kala]

Love the image of the pumpkin and fuchsia leaves.