Show your butterfly and hummingbird gardens/plants

[SpookyShoe]

Oohs and ahhs.

[GoDawgs]

Camellia time is beginning, first the sasanqua varieties with their smaller leaves and flowers and later in January/February the big leafed and big flowered japonicas will kick in. This was the first one out of the gate this year, a sasanqua called 'Apple Blossom'.





Right behind it is 'Leslie Ann".






In about a week 'Stephanie Golden' should be ready for her photo debut.

[SpookyShoe]

What kind of sun do you plant them in? Not full sun, correct? I see them in all the nurseries now.

[GoDawgs]

They like part shade, especially the big japonicas but the sasanquas will take a little more sun. I've see the latter out in full sun before but my guess is that they got a bit of afternoon shade.

This is the best time to buy one, when they're blooming so that you know what you're getting is what you want.

I saw sasanquas growing right out in the sun along roads, and Japan gets a lot of sunshine in the winter.

[GoDawgs]

Originally Posted by LDiane

I saw sasanquas growing right out in the sun along roads, and Japan gets a lot of sunshine in the winter.

Depends on where one lives. Down here they need protection from the hot afternoon sun.

It probably depends which part of Japan one is in, too. I travelled all over and don't remember which part had sasanquas growing as boulevard trees.

[SpookyShoe]

A monarch caterpillar. Once it becomes a butterfly I hope it can find enough nectar to eat. I'm looking at butterfly feeders on Amazon.

[GrowingCoastal]

Cilantro and Schizostylis are still in bloom. Surprising how long cilantro goes on for.

[SpookyShoe]

I have a few gnarly looking large basil plants that are hanging on from last summer. This afternoon there were about a dozen bees buzzing around on the flowers.

[GrowingCoastal]

Cute little bee eyes. Ours have gone to sleep for now.

[MissS]

Originally Posted by SpookyShoe

A monarch caterpillar. Once it becomes a butterfly I hope it can find enough nectar to eat. I'm looking at butterfly feeders on Amazon.

You can just use a piece of a sponge in a shallow dish of sugar water. The butterflies will land and feed from the sponge. Be sure to clean it well every 3-4 days or it will get moldy.

[SpookyShoe]

Thank you, MissS.

[SpookyShoe]

I'm going to miss all of you and all of the beautiful photos on this thread. I just read that Mishka is shutting down Tomatoville at the end of this month.