Butterflies are free...

We hear a lot about "going green" and organic gardening, but the reasons given are sometimes broad terms, like "save the environment" or "preserve the ozone." These are very wonderful goals from a generalist view. However, being just one little person, the attempt to save the environment or preserve the ozone seem pretty far out of reach for me as an individual. And besides with everyone else doing their part, I'm sure it will get done. Wrong!


But I believe if we can determine a real need that we as individuals can perform and accomplish, then the overall goals can be reached. So having done some research on how important butterflies are to our environment and to our health, and how endangered they are. I decided to plan a Butterfly theme for my garden.
First some facts about butterflies:
Butterflies don't sting, or bite, or carry disease.
Butterflies most important job is as pollinators.
Butterflies are indicators of the balance of nature.
There are over 300 species of Butterflies.

Butterflies can smell and locate the kinds of plants they prefer from a long way off, long before they can see the bright colors.

So how do you plan a garden that will attract butterflies. Remember visiting the countryside and seeing dozens of beautiful butterflies flitting from one flower variety to the next in the large open field. Well as housing developments and industrial building begin to appear and the wide open meadows disappear, the butterflies have fewer options. This has endangered the proliferation of the butterflies as well as loss of bees. Two major pollinators necessary to feed our population. Loss of wide open fields and meadows are not the only problems butterflies encounter, there are also many predators just waiting to feed on the larvae and caterpillars they evolve into a beautify butterfly.

It is important to realize that butterflies need two specific types of plants for their livelihood. One type of plant for storing their larvae and one type to provide nectar. So what to do? Don't just start planting.
The plan:
Determine the available space, and how much shade and full sun there is in this space. This is important to the success of plant growth. If garden space is limited consider using pots or barrels strategically placed. Depending on your climate consider planting citrus trees in pots so they can be taken inside during the cold weather. Citrus trees are a butterflies' favorite.

Determine how much money and time you have available for this project and be realistic. Planting perennials is a real money saver as they will return the following spring. Lantana, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, yarrow and butterfly weed are a few perennials especially attractive to butterflies. Annuals such as salvia, zinnia, verbena, penta and cosmos attract butterflies, but will have to be planted each year. Organic nurseries or nurseries' that specialize in native plants are excellent places to search for "butterfly attracting" plants. Butterflies love vines! Plant as many as you can, passion flowers, honeysuckle, Carolina jasmine. These also return year after year when properly mulched in the Fall. Remember that butterflies require water for drinking and hygiene. Provide a soft flowing garden fountain or logs with small hollows that capture rain water for them. Some butterflies are attracted to red and orange blooms, others like white, yellow, purple and pink. So just plan for lots of different colors. Plant your flowers in dense clumps, not spread out. This gives the butterfly camouflage protection from predators.

About the predators. The butterflies' predators include birds, spiders, parasite wasps that actually use the caterpillars to lay their eggs inside, and insecticides. Extreme care should be used when using insecticides against butterfly predators. Some of these will actually kill the butterfly you are trying to protect. This is why developing an "organic" butterfly garden it so important. It just allows nature itself to provide a balance between predator and butterfly.
Do your research. Check out websites such as http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/butterflypages/butterflyinfo.htm
Get the kids involved through websites such as http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/

I really think I may be reincarnated from a butterfly. What I have just described is the very type of garden I myself enjoy most. Hope you do too.
The Fountainlady

Solar Garden Fountains and Summer Colors

26 May 2010

We still have a few weeks of Spring, and I'm noticing my roses are budding out for another profusion of blooms. I am in love with the Knock Out Roses. For Mother's Day I received a lovely pink bush, got it into the ground immediately and am enjoying the lovely little pink buds and blooms. Those roses are amazing all Summer long!.



The impatiens will continue to add lots of color to the summer garden, although not in the same abundance as early Spring. The white/pink variegated caladiums will also do well if you were able to plant them in a semi shaded position in the garden. These make a brilliant setting for a solar garden fountain, surrounding red hyacinths. Of course, moss rose, periwinkle, verbena and zinnias will bloom for you all summer, and are somewhat drought resistant. The rose moss and periwinkle do really well in direct sun, while the verbena and zinnias enjoy partial shade.



The fragrance of the white "Easter" lily planted next to the back patio is reason enough for me to be in the garden in the early morning with a cup of coffee, but listening to the birds as they dart in and out of their homes watching over their new families adds to my enjoyment. Be careful about taking that last long look at the garden before leaving for work if you are wearing perfume less the ever thirsty hummingbirds mistake you for their morning treat. In my garden they seem to have no fear. Speaking of hummingbirds, they love bright colored blooming vines and vines for summer color include clock vine, cypress vine, Malabar spinach, and morning glory. One of the perks of attracting all those birds to the great wooden bird houses is they eat the morning glory seeds and them "drop" them in your garden..free vines!



Now is the time to plant cannas, purple coneflowers, day lilies, gladiolus, gloriosa daisies, hardy hibiscus and salvia. These are perennials and with winter mulching will return year after year to provide summer color. I am amazed at the increase in the number of gardeners. It seems the nurseries supplies begin to run short earlier and earlier each growing season. So don't delay too much longer. Something I have discovered is the 50% to 75% off racks that some of the nurseries use to sell rather than have to throw out plants that are beginning to look worn. Some of my best plants were just such discards, which with special tender loving care turned out to be my best plants. A word of caution, some don't make it. But those that do seems to be so grateful, they bloom more extravagantly than the full price plants.



Jody Foster

Useful information and resources pertaining to fountain benefits.

Alabastrite VS Concrete
Material choices for your fountain.
There are many choices that must be made when choosing the best decorative fountain for your home and garden. Of course you need to decide the placement of your fountain. Will it be in the garden, on the patio, in your entry hall, or that quiet little corner where you relax every evening? This answer will bring you to the choice of materials for the fountain.

There are two primary types of materials that manufactures and artisan use to create fountains. This is a brief description of each type which might possibly help with the decision.

Alabastrite
The names polyresin and alabastrite are used interchangeably. Alabastrite is the material name used by manufacturers for polyresin items. So when you see the descriptive phrases for fountains including the terms “made from Alabastrite” or “polyresin fountain,” they are actually both the same. Alabastrite is a white, chalky, crushed stone material which when processed is softer and more transparent than concrete and can be molded easily into fountains with a lot of detail. The molded fountain can then be painted with various colors to produce the works of art we display in our online catalog. Although fountains made from this material can be placed outside in the garden, the water soluble paints can fade and wash away after a couple of years. These fountains are better placed inside the home where dusting is the only cleaning necessary to keep them beautiful for many years.

Concrete
Concrete fountains are the best choice for outside placement because the material is heavy and harder and withstands the elements. Concrete does allow a certain level of detail and the overall cost of a large fountain is lower. Concrete fountains can be painted, but if used it normally is an overall color for the entire fountain. Some concrete fountain owners prefer the natural weathering and believe it makes fountains lovelier as they age. If desired, apply clear concrete sealer to slow the aging and weathering process. Normally very little upkeep is required unless the fountains are exposed to extremely cold or freezing temperatures. In that instance, if it is not possible to store them in an enclosed area they can be covered with burlap type fabric. If cracks or broken edges should appear it is possible to purchase concrete filler at your local home repair store.

Concrete fountains and polyresin fountains are beautiful additions to any yard, garden, patio and home. With just a little care they stay beautiful for many years and add to the enjoyment of your home. http://www.fountainlady.com/

http://ezinearticles.com/?id=3231693

Decorative Fountains for Your Garden

Decorative Fountains are a positive way to enhance the tranquility and charm of any garden. The waterfall fountains are especially beneficial in creating positive energy necessary for adding healthful, relaxing sounds to any room. The multiple levels of a waterfall fountain increases these soothing sounds.

Table Fountains also have a special place in your garden. The tinkling, harmonious sounds attract song birds and other small animals that make sitting in your garden entertaining and peaceful. Again, electricity is no problem. Several varieties of solar powered fountains are available to choose from, Courtyard, patio and wall fountains to create different ambiances. If you have a large garden area you may want to have several different styles. Contemporary, Victorian, or European, anything is possible.

New Solar Fountain

I am so excited. I received my new Asian Temple Solar  garden fountain on Tuesday. It looks great....one fly in the ointment...the sun hasn't shined since I got it. Fortunately, it has an ac adapter so when the solar is not charged, it automatically switches to the auxiliary power. So I can see how lovely it looks and sounds...just can't check the solar yet.

Consider the Options

Decorative Fountains are a positive way to enhance the tranquility and charm of any home. The waterfall fountains are especially beneficial in creating positive energy necessary for adding healthful, relaxing sounds to any room. The multiple levels of a waterfall fountain increases these soothing sounds. There is a great selection of table top fountains created from various materials, different shapes, and sizes. Depending on your personal taste, fountains range from fantasy to nostalgia. Suitable for a baby’s nursery or the library you’re sure to want more than one. If electrical outlets are not available, there are fountains that operate by battery. There are even glass top tables that have a fountain as the base. Another benefit of decorative fountains is they make the perfect gift. Gifting for special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Christmas, Birthdays and Valentine’s Day and for your boss or co-workers.


Fountains also have a special place in your garden. The tinkling, harmonious sounds attract song birds and other small animals that make sitting in your garden entertaining and peaceful. Again, electricity is no problem. Several varieties of solar powered fountains are available to choose from, Courtyard, patio and wall fountains to create different ambiances. If you have a large garden area you may want to have several different styles. Contemporary, Victorian, or European, anything is possible.

It takes 6 to make a village.

It takes 6 to make a village. Check out our Birdhouse special that will help turn a small backyard into one with personality and become a haven for all your feathered friends.


Buy 5 get one free!!!

In honor of Spring, the wonderful season of new beginnings, fountainlady.com is offering a fantastic special on our wide selection of Birdhouses. Buy 5 and get one FREE. You have a choice of the free Birdhouse up to the cost of the most expensive Birdhouse you buy. . This is the way it works. Purchase the five birdhouses of your choice by ordering directly from our website. When you receive the email from Fountainlady.com acknowledging your order, you reply to the email and include the name and number of the FREE birdhouse you choose. Your FREE birdhouse will be shipped to you under separate cover. Nothing could be easier, but remember it’s a limited time offer so make your selection today. Just a note…the birds have already begun checking out the local accommodations.