Obedient Plant

Patiently Waiting

Yes, I’m patiently waiting. Looking forward to seeing my first Monarch (Danaus plexippus) of this year. This image is from September 10, 2014. Maybe one, or several, will be along any day now.

This Monarch is on an Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana). They haven’t started blooming yet. I’ve been trying to keep them watered so they don’t die because of the drought. Maybe their blooms will bring the Monarchs. I’m hoping that will be the case.

In the meantime, patience.

_______________________________________________________________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Migrating

Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) on their way to their winter homes. Coming through, two or three per day on their way south. Stopping for just a moment at Goldenrod, Obedient Plant, or in this case this morning at a Morning Glory.

And more migrating. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) also on their way south. Several are coming through every day. Usually one at a time. They are an independent sort and travel alone. Occasionally though as one sips, another will show up and give chase. Always the trouble makers. That pale throat can either indicate a female or a juvenile of either sex. But the white tips on their tails tell me that these are females.

Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana). A lovely native to have in the garden. It’s native to North American in all states east of the Rockies but Florida, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Obedient Plant can be found in the wild on river banks, wet ditches, prairies, swamps, and marshy areas. In moist sites it sometimes spreads aggressively. Sometimes that is a good thing.

Pollinators seek the blooms out for its nectar.

A joy to find blooming this time of year.