It's peak Butterfly time in Central Virginia, I've never seen so many in my garden!

For the last 5 years, we've been delaying the start of Spring mowing. My neighbor hires a mowing company and they mowed 10 times before we mowed once. Since we moved into our house 15 years ago, we have not mulched, burned, or removed the fallen leaves. I even rake over leaves from our neighbor who would normally pay for removal. 

Leaves are natures fertilizer and hold treasures. This year we have experienced record numbers of butterflies in our garden, especially Skippers. It could be due to many different factors. Weather; rain or dryness or heat or cold. It could be there were butterfly eggs deposited in the grass that we did not destroy from mowing less often. It could be that the adult butterflies that wrap themselves in leaves inside a warm cocoon for Winter hibernation were left where they fell.

August has proven to be the best month for butterfly observing in my area. The vast majority come in the hot Summer and Fall months. I've heard it said over and over in July, "there are no butterflies!" We even had a count in July and it was depressing as there were so few to count! Patience, patience... 

This weekend has proved to be a butterfly bonanza! We have at least 100 Skippers hopping around patches of flowers in the garden. They especially like Mountain Mint, Apple Mint, Althea, Butterfly Bush, Cup Plant, Anemone, and Marigolds. My yard has been part of the annual butterfly count for several years and typically we might find 25 Skippers. 

Surprisingly I have seen three Zebra butterflies. I'm lucky to see one if any in a year! I planted a little trio of Pawpaw trees several years ago to draw in the Zebra. Each butterfly species seeks out the unique plant required to feed their caterpillar on which to lay their eggs and this is the plant the Zebra is looking for. I often see butterflies frantically popping around the garden from plant to plant, maybe they are searching for their host plant.

My second favorite butterfly to spot is the Common Buckeye. It's shocking when you find one for the first time. It's a charming orange and brown butterfly with all sizes of eyespots. I've never understood using the word common as part of its name as it is truly magical!

The American Snout has the perfect name. A long snout brown curious insect. I've seen it land on humans more than any other butterfly, most likely relishing the salt we produce. There has never been a Summer without a little nosey Snouter greeting me as I get in my swimming pool slurping up any splashed water or lighting on my arm. 

I don't see many of the most talked about butterfly, the Monarch, in my garden but I'm still developing my milkweed stations. I hope that's the reason and in future years I'll see more. 

Right NOW is the time in Central Virginia to get out and see butterflies. You will find them in full sun among blooming flowers or some smaller species will hop out in an open field as you walk. Do not cross a butterfly with your shadow and always walk very slowly toward them. They can feel the shade and air current which will make them fly away. 

Butterflies are selective, looking for nectar (they are not looking for pollen as they do not have a family to raise). The more native plants you have, the greater chance you have of attracting them not only for nectar but to have the correct caterpillar food for them to hang around. They do visit several non-native plants that I do not recommend you plant (I inherited Apple Mint, Butterfly bush and Althea which they really like). Seek out native plants instead as this is what they really need to survive and grow in your own garden.

Get out and enjoy these beautiful insects.

~Rebecca

Peak Season to spot Butterflies in the Virginia Garden is July and August

Male Easter Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Buddelia

Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Clerodendrum

I'm seeing more and more varieties of butterflies in my Charlottesville Virginia gardens. My blooming Mimosa tree is loaded with Eastern Tiger Striped Butterflies. So many that it looks like glitter reflecting in the tree. A record year for them in my garden on Forsythia Hill. I often wonder if it's because I continue to plant shrubs and flowers offering to them more places to dine and lay their eggs. Weather will also make annual numbers wax and wane. Butterflies will lay eggs near a specific food plant that caterpillars will consume or on dead leaves, grass stems or even on soil. I don't deadhead flowers or remove or burn dead leaves as they could harbor eggs!

Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Hyssop

The female Eastern Tiger can be yellow or black. The male can only be yellow. The yellow female is accented with blue on the lower end near the tails.

Amazingly beautiful little Common Buckeye Butterfly

One of my favorite butterflies is the Common Buckeye. I don't see many in my garden but I did just spot one this week. In flight it's very hard to see the spots but you will see a little white line flashing if you focus on it. I love the mocha brown with orange detailing and those EYES!

I'm creating a Dwarf Clerodendrum patch

I have to mention a few standout plants that Butterflies love to visit. Of course the Buddelia is top on their list but the downfall with this plant is that no caterpillars like it as a food plant (a plant they eat when they hatch). My Clerodendrum is beloved by the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly and the flowers smell heavenly but shockingly the leaves are the worst smelling thing EVER. I find the  smaller butterflies and insects enjoying perennial herbs such as native Mountain Mint, Anise Hyssop, Fennel, and Catnip.

Giant Black Wasp on Mountain Mint

A larger insect that loves Mountain Mint is the Giant Black Wasp, check out those striking blue wings. This wasp not only likes the Mountain Mint nectar but is a bug killer, hauling bodies to its nest. I'm hoping stinkbugs and Japanese Beetles are on the top of their favorite list.

This weekend is the annual Albemarle County Butterfly Count! This will be my third year of participation. I hope to see something exciting that is not found in my garden.

Can't wait!

~ Rebecca

Summer Butterflies all a Flutter in Charlottesville Virginia

Spicebush Swallowtail on my False Spirea Shrub

I've just received word that the annual Albemarle County Butterfly count will occur August 12th this year. The purpose of the count is to determine if butterflies are declining or not and it's part of a national program.

Easily recognized Virginia butterfly, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

I've been noticing hordes of the common Silvery Checkerspot and of course the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail fluttering around the garden. A few more regulars have included the Spicebush Swallowtail and the Silver-Spotted Skipper.

I've changed my gardening behavior over the last several years, allowing most plants to reseed. Which means I do not cut back any foliage unless it looks like a dead brown stick (dead Daylily stems come to mind). It looks a bit of a mess but come winter it's amazing as to the number of birds that reach for these seeds and how it actually adds winter interest. I also do not remove the fallen leaves. It's one of the worst things you can do.

Small but fast, the Silver-spotted Skipper

I'm beginning to conclude that not removing leaves or dead foliage until Spring has also benefited the insect populations. Think of how many cocoons and larvae are inadvertently destroyed when you totally clear out flower beds at the end of the season.

I also am taking note of plants that are especially attractive to pollinators and butterflies. Catnip, Clerodendrum, Hyssop, Mimosa, Fruit Trees, herbs, Cosmos, Beautyberry, and Cone Flower are garden favorites.

Time will tell if the increase in butterfly populations around Forsythia Hill are due to my efforts or just another "good season". It will be interesting to see how the numbers unfold this year during the annual count. It's also a good time to see some uncommon butterflies. We always see something interesting in the fields and woods. Nature is full of surprises!

I going to end this post with a fun video of one of my neighbors NEW honeybees loading up on nectar from my Beautyberry shrub.

The next time you hear from me, I just might be inside a shoe... visit back soon to figure that one out!

~ Rebecca