This weekend is our long weekend . It is called the Victoria Day weekend . Victoria Day is celebrated in honor of the birthdays of both Queen Victoria and the current monarch of Canada and most communities celebrate by having fireworks , parades and big out door events , Family and friends get together with garden parties, pot lucks and a BBQ through out the Country ! This weekend is best known by Canadian's as the May two-four weekend referring to a 24 case of beer lol ! Canadians eh ? Geesh .. lol !
But for a lot of us gardeners here in Canada it is the weekend where we plant our flowers and veggie gardens as the start of the summer season !
I would like to share a bit of info about two well known and loved flower garden creatures .
Butterfly-attracting plants include the Aster, Dianthus, Echinacea, Helenium, Heuchera, Hosta, Lobelia, Lupinus, Phlox, and Verbena.
| BUTTERFLY | CATERPILLAR HOST PLANT | BUTTERFLY NECTAR SOURCE |
| Black Swallowtail | Parsley, Dill, Fennel | Aster, Buddleia, Joe Pye Weed, Alfalfa |
| Comma | Elm, Hops, Nettle | Butterfly Bush, Dandelion |
| Common Sulphur | Vetch | Aster, Dogbane, Goldenrod |
| Monarch | Milkweed | Dogbane, Buddleia |
| Mourning Cloak | Willow, Elm, Poplar, Birch, Nettle, Wild Rose | Butterfly Bush, Milkweed, Shasta Daisy, Dogbane |
| Painted Lady | Thistle, Daisy, Mallow/Hollyhock, Burdock | Aster, Zinnia |
| Question Mark | Hackberry, Elm, Nettle, Basswood | Aster, Milkweed, Sweet Pepperbush |
| Red Admiral | Nettle | Stonecrop, Clover, Aster, Dandelion, Goldenrod, Mallow |
| Red-spotted Purple | Black Cherry, Willow, Poplar | Privet, Poplar |
| Spring Azure | Dogwood, Viburnum, Blueberry, Spirea, Apple | Blackberry, Cherry, Dogwood, Forget-me-not, Holly |
| Tiger Swallowtail | Black Cherry, Birch, Poplar, Willow | Joe Pye Weed, Buddleia |
| Variegated Fritillary | Violet, Passion Vine | Joe Pye Weed |
| Viceroy | Willow, Poplar, Fruit Trees | Thistle, Beggar-tick, Goldenrod, Milkweed |
ATTRACTING HUMMERS TO YOUR GARDENS !
Everyone loves watching hummingbirds. These amazing little birds zip about here then there, lapping up the nectar from the feeders or flowers with their long tongues. Here are some helpful hints to attract more hummingbirds to your garden.
- Hummingbirds are attracted to the colour red.
- Plant tubular shaped flowers, especially red ones that are rich in nectar.
- Mass the red flowers together as much as possible so that the hummingbirds REALLY see your garden.
- Keep several feeders filled with fresh nectar. Use only sugar and water when making nectar. Never add red coloring, honey, molasses, or anything else.
- Have a bush or tree for the hummers to perch when not feeding or bathing.
- Have a source of fresh water available for drinking and bathing.
- Hummingbirds are very territorial. If you attract more than one hummingbird, you might have hummer fights on your hands! They are very protective of "their" feeder. To solve this, hang several feeders in different parts of your yard.
Right now it is torrential rains here but good for us gardeners to have the gardens watered well ! Come this long weekend the weather will be cool but sunny , just perfect for getting down and dirty hehe …. in our gardens !
Oh Goody !! “ rubbing hands together with a gleeful cheeky smile “
Until next time my friends !
Country Gal
13 comments:
Hope you have a good long weekend too! A good list of host and nectar plants and one I'd suggest is the American Lady that uses native pearly everlasting for a host plant. They are common in our area and do seek out the pearly everlasting in my garden.
Great post,, good info, very interesting, Thanks Francine.
Pouring down here! We don't have hummer feeders here as it attracts bears...and I love hummers.
Jane x
You are such a dear for posting this info.. Thanks, Elaine. xo
I've heard milkweed's really good for drawing in butterflies.
Last Victoria Day I found out that they fire cannons on Parliament Hill in a twenty one gun salute to Queen Victoria. I'll have to get up there for this year.
Alot of the gardening rules for your corner of the world, also applies to mine -- Thanks for the hummingbird advice too, I hadn't thought of hanging feeders in a couple of places.
Excellent info for all of us gardeners!
Hi thanks for post all the information to attract butterflies and hummers.
I hope that you enjoy your long weekend! xx
Thanks for all of the good info.
Did I just comment or did it get lost? Anyway, useful post.
Hope you have a wonderful celebration weekend, Elaine, with continued great weather too. Thanks for the butterfly info. We gave our hummingbird feeders to a friend who has been putting them to good use.
After May first I think we have a hummingbird farm ~ we have to put feeders all over as we have so many ~ and they still bounce off one another from time to time . Oh I love my hummies .
Very educational about the butterfly and caterpillars I learned a few things for certain.
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