Saturday, November 1, 2008

MONARCHS & MIST FLOWERS


I have been totally enjoying myself this weekend at the local Fall Festival at the Antique Rose Emporium! Every year they hold this event and every year I can't wait to go again! The gardens out there are spectacular and they have speakers presenting throughout each day on a variety of plant and nature topics. This is a free event, open to all and it is exciting to see so many new faces each year as people from the community and from afar gather to hear about and discuss plant topics! This morning we were all greeted by throngs of Monarchs and other assorted butterflies and moths as we passed by a long row of White Mist Flower (Eupatorium wrightii) in full bloom. It will be hard to convey the full effect of the onslaught of butterflies, moths, and assorted bees that were attacking these white flowers through a video clip, but I assure you, no one passed without taking notice and at least saying, "Wow!" If you live in the south and you want a great butterfly plant, try White Mist Flower planted in masses!


















5 comments:

Unknown said...

How beautiful! It is a fall echo of summer Joe Pye weed flush with swallowtails!

ADVENTURES IN NATURE said...

It was one of those rare days when the weather was just perfect, the plants were at the height of bloom and the butterflies were EVERYWHERE! I guess Joe Pye Weed is common name for the purple variety of this plant? I have also heard it called White Boneset. There is also a Blue Mist Flower which attracts butterflies but I didn't see anything that outdid the white one on this day! Thanks for the comment!

Shelley said...

this imagery is so beautiful - love seeing the orange of the monarchas against these delicate white flowers!

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Nice to see your pic of the Painted Lady - didn't know you got them your side of the Atlantic. Are they a normal part of the fauna of Texas?

What exciting wildlife is there in Texas to look out for in late winter early spring?

cheers

Dave

ADVENTURES IN NATURE said...

Shellmo - yes, the white background with the Monarchs was truly spectacular, my photos can only barely touch on how breathtakingly beautiful it was to experience. Plant Mist Flower and butterflies will come....

LLOB - You are right, a Painted Lady was in there too! I checked the ID on the new website link I got from Monika's comment (just to be sure, you know!) and it appears that PLady is a common butterfly for this area of Texas (Washington County). What exciting wildlife do we have in Texas? I can't even begin to list there is so much, I see something new just about everyday and I've been here over 20 years now - but of course, I'm looking closer now than I ever have before and that makes all the difference no matter where you are! :)