Some butterflies and their flowers in late June, Boone NC

[WILLIAM DUNSON]

There has been an explosion of flowers within the past several weeks in l ate June and the butterflies now have a much wider choice of flowers.  This group of nine photos illustrates some of that variety in our yard in Boone, NC, and nearby.

Some flowers are natives and some are non-invasive exotics.  It is very difficult to provide a season-long buffet of flowers and fruits for wildlife without blending these two categories.  

I wish all of you success with your gardens and at least a small proportion of the fun that Margaret and I derive from our yard plantings.  If you pick plants primarily for their benefit to wildlife (especially butterflies/bees and birds) you will receive a double bonus from the "flying flowers" or "leps" that will be attracted to your gardens, and the activities of birds that will visit your plants.

Cheers- Bill Dunson

Boone, NC and Englewood, FL

https://lemonbayconservancy.org/news/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/