When Flowers Fly . . .
You never know what to expect at Penny and Don Johnson’s garden. Week-to-week, seasonal native flowers, vegetables, citrus and much more fill the garden with "what's that?" Weather and seasonal changes always create a surprises.
The garden started out with the idea of attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They surpassed that goal. As a Certified Wildlife Habitat and a Monarch Butterfly Way Station, flowers seem to fly off trees and bushes as the like-colored orange Monarch and Queen butterflies especially enjoy orange flowers, while the yellow Sulphurs thrive on the yellow Cassia plant--and totally surprised me with their flight. The flowers flew, except there were still flowers.
Bottom line, it's all about flowers and wildlife . . . and more. In the spring, butterflies are laying eggs on passionvines, milkweeds, dill and fennel. Beholding the life cycle of nature is satisfying and beautiful.
Winding paths allow many varieties of plants that provide nectar and habitat for wildlife, along with herbs, vegetables, and fruits, all tucked in various places with the other plantings. Feeders, water sources and space to enjoy nature provide hours of entertainment, enchantment as well as food and herbs to enjoy year round. The bonus of fresh taste of their harvest makes cooking and eating more enjoyable.
Earth Kind garden techniques employ organic waste for their compost operation to feed plants. Both Master Gardeners, Penny and Don are wonderful sources of clever tips that conserve rainwater, send less waste to landfills, reduce or eliminate pesticides, while you promote your family's health. Oh, and those are butterfly chrysalises on the rain barrel just to the left (similar to this color).
The metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis to butterfly is truly extraordinary. The Johnson's garden is made for harvesting butterflies with host plants for the caterpillars and nectar plants for the butterflies and often hummingbirds as well. One day alone in August 2012, I saw 7 species of butterflies and quit counting after I counted more than 100 butterflies.
As Don says, Plant it and nature will come. Nature you can touch today awaits you at this trend-setting garden.
For a reference guide and resources used to develop this garden,
Download QVGC JOHNSON RESOURCES
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