Bees, Bugs & Butterflies

My garden has had it’s share of bad bugs this year, spider mites (the worst infestation I have ever had), aphids, japanese beetles, slugs… the list goes on. But, right now, my garden is also filled with good bugs, including gulf fritillaries, bees of all kinds, soldier beetles, lady bugs.. here are a few photos. Click to enlarge.

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Gulf Fritillary

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Soldier Beetles

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Soldier Beetle on perennial Ageratum

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Lady bug on marigold

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Bumble Bee resting on a coleus

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Bumblebees on Dahlia

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The Stump Bed

I really need to think of some better names for my garden areas… :-) This flower bed surrounds a giant poplar stump and is an island bed near the edge of the woods. Last year I planted mixed colors of coleus in it, this year it has two colors of coleus, salvia I grew from seed, perilla, and elephant ears. There are also coneflowers and a few hostas in this bed, along with some perennial geraniums, columbines, and purple shamrocks. Click photos to enlarge.

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The purple urn is completely covered now with these bubblegum supertunias — this photo taken right after planting.

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‘Blackberry Waffles’ and ‘Confection’ Coleus, Salvia ‘Victoria Blue’

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A closer look at the coleus

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Perilla (in front)

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The bed in May and early June

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I changed themes here on the blog and I’m not sure if I like it or not… anyone else have an opinion? :)

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Around The Gazebo

Here are some photos of the beds surrounding the gazebo, a mix of annuals, ornamental grass, perennials and shrubs.

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The view from inside the gazebo, my favorite place to sit. The slope bed has ornamental grass, bee balm, Laura Bush petunias, creeping phlox, coneflowers, agastache, loropetalum, and much more.

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The pea gravel path that goes around the gazebo and up around the slope bed.

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Magellan and Zahara Zinnias, Black Pearl Peppers, variegated Caryopteris

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Click any photo to view larger.

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The Long Border

This flower bed runs on both sides of a small creek for about forty-five feet, with a huge poplar tree and the round marble patio with a seating area and some containers at one end. It’s cottage garden style, which means I plant whatever I want in there. :) Right now, it’s a rainbow of color. There are two small bridges within this border, and an arch with hyacinth bean vine. I have planted the bed with a mix of annuals, coneflowers, heucheras, hydrangeas, a ‘Josee’ Lilac, black and green elephant ears, lots of spring bulbs, caladiums, alternanthera, bee balm, agastache, two red bud trees on one side… and much more. The area gets mostly full sun with evening shade. These photos show one side of this long border, click any to enlarge.

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Mix of plants at one end of border

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One side of border with patio

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One end of border in background, looking from edge of front bed

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Mixed annuals near one of the bridges

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Arch with hyacinth bean vine

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Details, patio, closer view

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Fountain and supertunias, Dragon Wing Begonias, Mixed Caladiums

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