Kaseys Korner

'Harlequin F1 Hybrid'

sunflowers are much too lovely to keep to myself.  The duel coloring is so striking, they're worth sharing.  Remember the bud:

 

It showed so much promise even tightly clasped as in the photo above.  The next day, the petals loosened to create the beautiful image below:

 

How could it get any better?  Hard to imagine, right?   That evening the bloom had progressed to this point:

 

I'm so glad I bought these seeds.  I know I'm going to enjoy each and every color combination they surprise me with. 

 

But wait.  Something is marring 'Harlequins' loveliness. 

 

The presence of a jagged ambush bug who wasted no time taking up residence at the edge of the petals ~ waiting to prey on unsuspecting bees that favor the sunflowers.  He didn't know how temporary and unwise this location choice was for him.  Because you know what happened right after I took this photo, right?!  Eviction, of course, but not to another location.....

let's try again

and hope for more consistency but no promises or guarantees...   I'll just do my best.  Since the last time I posted, it finally heated up in the garden and my sun worshipers responded even if it is a bit late in the season.  Last evening, camera in hand, I wandered onto the front flagstone patio, selected a chair, arranged myself in a relaxed position and soaked in some late afternoon/evening rays.  It was heaven.  It's what I intended to do every night this summer until weather, scheduling conflicts, company, etc., intervened.  As comfortable as I was, I am never fully at ease for long.  It's a personality flaw.  My mind races with thoughts of what could be done to improve the view, what should be moved and omg, look at that!  Next thing I know, I'm on my feet and moving around the garden with a purpose.  At least the camera can convey tranquility, right?  

  

Like the beauty of the Sunflower 'Harlequin F1 Hybrid' buds that are just beginning to open.  I started these from seed (no big feat since sunflowers germinate like weeds) but they were selected for their bi-colored petals, some even supposedly rose pink.  I'll be sure to photograph the latter if I should be so lucky as to have one bloom in that delicious shade.   Meanwhile you can see this bud will definitely be a blend of two colors.  I will be sure to feature more pics of them as they open.  Next to the pond, cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) are blooming and brightening up the shaded area created by the overhanging limbs of the Bur Oak:

 

I did enjoy the view of them rising above the terraced wall ~ it's what I envisioned when I planted them there (along with knowing they'd relish the wet feet they'd receive from over spillage).  If the hummers would arrive and find them equally appealing it would be absolutely perfect.  But maybe that's asking too much?  One thing I do know is the Bronze Fennel has been spectacular this year:

 

The evening light intensifies the yellow blooms creating a photographers delight.  I've also noticed yellow jackets and wasps seem to be more fond of the flowers than do honeybees (and here I thought every yellow jacket in the area was on the grape jelly feeder!)  Not so. 

 

Oh well, something might as well receive nourishment from it if the Swallowtail caterpillars aren't going to...

Tonight I will try again to capture some moments of serenity although the skies are once again overcast and more rain is predicted.  I've never wanted a summer to end but this one sure has tempted me.  It just doesn't want to cooperate...

very hungry caterpillar

Remember when I purchased Fuchsia 'Traudchen Bonstedt' this spring?

 

I ended up planting it in what I call my "Fuchsia container" with a banana, an elephant ear and a couple coleus:

 

Lately I've noticed the fuchsia foliage looking a bit ragged but I absently thought it was just all the wind, hail and rain we've had this summer.  That changed last night when I caught this guy midnight munching (while letting my dog out before bed):

 

Do you know what it is?  A white lined sphinx moth caterpillar~ their host plant is the fuchsia!  Now I need to go check my other fuchsia (planted in a different container):

 

and decide what to do about the caterpillar.  Probably nothing, is that what you'd do??  It is interesting that these caterpillars bury themselves in several inches of soil to pupate so forget looking for a dangling chrysalis.  My niece carried one of the moths around with her for several hours one morning while she was staying with me.  The Sphinx moth didn't seem to mind in the least and she only put him down because we were leaving and I refused to have him as a passenger in the car.  Mean Auntie that I am!  We did take her picture with it ~ here's one of the moth sitting on her hand:

Now I wonder if it's the same moth who laid eggs on my fuchsia?!!!  Eric Carle was wise ~ hungry caterpillars indeed....

 

grape jelly protein supplement

Discovered quite by accident when I first dumped a heaping spoonful of grape jelly over top some yellow jackets inside the glass cups on the oriole feeder.  Ever since, I've been trying to do it on purpose.  Today, I buried the largest number yet:

 

I keep thinking if I sandwich enough of them between layers of jelly, I'll make a dent in the number visiting but it doesn't seem to work that way.  It's the only downside to feeding the jelly.  I seriously doubt any of my neighbors are having yellow jacket "troubles" this year as I feel like I'm attracting them all to my yard with this feeder.  The constant buzzing of yellow jackets doesn't seem to bother the orioles at all:

 

They gobble up the purple treat and the dead yellow jackets.  I've even seen them pick off a couple live bees that flew a little too close while they were perched at the feeder.  I wish I could just fill the cups at dusk to avoid getting swarmed but the feeder is such a popular attraction that the jelly is gone within four or five hours.  I've been filling it two to three times daily to keep up with their voracious appetites.  Look at the photo below of the male Bullocks oriole with jelly on his beak:

 

I sure am going to miss them when they migrate but I won't miss the yellow jackets who I hope will disperse as soon as the feeder is gone!

transitioning garden

That's what I'd call my garden at this moment in time.  It's been a year of incongruities in many ways.  Although some plants were delayed in blooming because of the cool, wet spring, now a few of the late summer bloomers are jump starting their season.  Strange.  I don't know what it means I just hope it doesn't foretell an early demise for the garden.   Monarda is one of the perennials that got a late start.  I would say it's peaking right now when it would usually be about done blooming.  Here you see a clump of 'purple stocking' in the foreground with the pink coneflowers behind:

 

Asclepias is sandwiched in-between making for an interesting color combination, wouldn't you say?  Whoever designed that?!!!   Hmmmm, let's forget that question, shall we?!!  Beyond the same clump of pink coneflowers, the Bronze fennel is just beginning to flower (also a little behind schedule).  For this photo, I simply moved forward a bit with the camera so you could see further along the front garden bed:

 

The fennel flowers are mixed among the past-their-peak filipendula blooms.  I planted the fennel, probably like many of you, in hopes of getting Swallowtail caterpillars.  Unfortunately for me, that's only happened one year and I'm not sure why.  It's a large enough clump to sustain quite a few cats, maybe not as large this year as in previous years but still, it would suffice.  I'll keep hoping.  Look what I found waiting for a meal on top of one bloom:

 

I also found a jagged ambush bug but instead of photographing him, I grabbed my daughters old insect collecting jar and tapped him right inside.  I'm still traumatized by watching one of those nab the monarch butterfly last summer.  I guess it's time to step up patrols for them, although their two favorite hang outs (Joe Pye Weed & Buddleia) are neither one blooming yet.  Changing the subject to a more pleasant sight, is a self sown nicotiana sylvestris opening next to the front walk:

 

I love this annual and it situated itself perfectly (next to the step) for passersby to catch its fragrance.  I only had to plant it one year in my garden and its shown up ever since.  I don't mind at all.  It can sow itself about to its hearts content.  I would say these blooms are right on schedule unlike some others (to be featured soon) that are earlier than normal.  I know other gardeners are having unique weather seasons as well so I'm guessing you are noticing this phenomenon as well??

ten minutes

was about all the time I had in the garden yesterday.  But ten minutes can be very revealing ~ you can see the Asiatic lilies have begun to bloom.  'Dolly Madison:'

 

is looking great (and the perfect color for the upcoming 4th of July holiday).  A little more subtle is 'Lollipop:'

 

I actually happened to "catch" 'Lollipop' the other morning when she was just a bud.  Look how fun the morning light makes this photo:

 

I added several varieties of lilies to the garden this spring.  I'm not sure why I was on such a lily kick?  I don't see any bees or butterflies landing on the blooms??  I have been trying not to plant anything that doesn't benefit wildlife but maybe I was just in a plant "pretty" phase?  Ten minutes, if you're willing to look closely, will also reveal a lady bug searching for a meal:

 

He's on the tip of a way-past-its-peak Black & Blue Salvia bloom above and below, he stopped long enough to clean his face:

 

When you get such an intimate distance to them, you see their faces/heads are really warrioresque.  Complete with pincers, etc., ~ no wonder they can demolish so many aphids.  In ten minutes time you will also see:

 

Echium Amoenum is in full bloom.  What a beauty she is.  Going about the business of life, a baby bunny accompanied me around the garden:

 

They have eaten a few flowers and leaves of plants in the beds but mostly they are in the lawn.  My philosphy in regards to bunnies (especially the babies) is "I have enough to share."  Maybe easy to say because I'm not overrun with them???  The last photo taken in the last minute is of a cowslip bloom (Primula veris) that seemed to be the center of activity:

 

A spider (or is it two ~ maybe one is a victim??) both found their way to this particular bloom.  I was never quite sure what was going on ~ all I know is ten minutes can be quite enough to enrich anyones day.

wasp catchers

I don't know where I've been or why I haven't seen these before (???) but yesterday I found the most beautiful "wasp catcher" ~ so much more attractive than those yellow plastic cylinders you see hanging around everywhere.  Look at this gorgeous green glass container:

 

Isn't that pretty?  You probably already own one and I'm the only one in the dark and out of the loop??  If you do happen to be like me, and haven't been introduced to these catchers yet, apparently, you pour sugar water in the bottom, then the wasps/yellow jackets enter thru the hole:

 

The sugar water level can't be very deep, so I'm unsure how they stay inside the jar??  Do they drown?  or for some reason, just can't find the hole to get back out (even tho it's fairly large)??  If anyone out there has experience with these beautiful catchers, feel free to speak right up.  I'd love to hear what you think & how well they work.  I don't necessarily want to catch wasps but a few yellow jackets wouldn't bother me (especially at the end of summer).  For now, it's making a nice addition to my spring garden assemblage that I posted earlier in the week.  and it might just stay there.  Is there such a thing as being too pretty to use?!!!

a fine fall day

Combine record setting high temperatures (78 degrees!!!) with cloudless blue skies (no wind either) and you have yourself the post title.  Exactly the kind of day we were privy to yesterday.  It was fabulous.  Perfect weather such as this, makes it nearly impossible to stay inside and get work done.  I finally gave in to temptation, grabbed my camera and went outside to bask in the sunshine.  Being a girl that is practically hopeless at sitting still, I was soon looking around the garden for anything that would catch my eye.  It wasn't long before I caught sight of one lone bee (or fly??) giving the Delosperma a vigorous work over:

I don't recall the Delosperma being that "popular" during the height of summer but now that it's the only plant left blooming, its value can't be quantified.  I snapped one more photo before leaving the bee in peace:

 

The next thing I noticed was the interesting way the sunlight was streaming thru/across the foliage of the Hens & Chicks:

This image (with the stiff, ramrod straight spikes) brought to mind a vision of soldiers standing at attention.  Maybe I'd had too much sun?  But don't you love how you can see all the little hairs outlining each leaf?  Lucky for you, my daughters school bus came around the corner and my aimless meandering came to an abrupt halt.  ;-)  We have one more spectacular day in store then tomorrow the bottom falls out.  We'll enjoy it while we can.

it's that time of year

When the praying mantis congregate along the front of my house, seeking the protection (from chilly overnight lows) the warm southern exposure offers:

 

Clinging to the beige stucco (in the early AM's and late afternoons ~ during the day they disperse a bit), they are more readily seen then during the summer months.   Prior to the change in seasons, I'm lucky if I flush one out of the vegetation (usually by water spray).  Sometimes we see them climbing the screen doors in the evenings, pursuing bugs attracted by the porch light.

 

My niece frightened us all (praying mantis probably included) one summer night by shrieking loudly upon spying one hanging on the door!  While putting up holiday lights or during spring clean up, I always come across a few egg cases (often attached to grass stalks in my front garden, or tucked amongst the rocks of the retaining wall).  Last year, I found this one right next to the front faucet:

 

A likely place since they spend lots of time here until the cold really sets in and kills them.  For the most part I'm happy to share my garden with them but I was shocked upon reading Robin's blog to find out they also prey on hummingbirds.  I have never witnessed that nor do I see them on my feeders.  Nature is a never ending wonder, isn't it?? 

ufo's in the garden

 

If I were to sum up the 2008 gardening year (in my yard) I would have to say it has been the most educational year for me regarding entomology & lepidoptery discoveries.   I don't know if my gardens are just maturing enough to become attractive to more moths, butterflies & insects (therefore the new sightings?) or if they've been here all along and I'm suddenly just more observant?  Remember my post featuring what I then called the "scorpion wasp" (but now know it to be an American Pelecinid) and of course we can't forget the jagged ambush bugs I posted about here.  I found the "needle nose" moth (my own name) pictured above, clinging to side of my house a couple weeks ago then spied this red & black spotted insect on a milkweed pod several days later:

 

I have yet to identify either of them.  Add in this third flying insect (that was faster than lightening and wished to remain unidentified, at least that's how I interpreted his reluctance to pose):

 

and I have at least five newcomers.  The gardening season is not over yet so maybe there will be even more discoveries in store for me?    I will keep my eyes peeled and my camera ready.