That Butterfly Bush

Know what? We just love that butterfly bush! I purposely planted it right next to our deck, where we eat, so that we could sit and watch butterflies all day long. (If you believe that one... Who has all day long to sit around!)

A short lunch break this afternoon, with sandwiches and iced tea, proved its worth. Four Monarchs, a hummingbird moth and several bees were flitting around, collecting nectar together like one big, happy family. Bees, plump with nectar and buzzing rather loudly. Occasionally one or two smaller butterflies joined the party. Not one insect bothered another. Nature at its best. Truly.

Pleasant dreams of deep purple blossoms with "the birds and the bees"...and the butterflies!

Queen of the 
Butterfly Bush

(Hope you don't mind seeing these photos again.) 

The Birds and the Bees

Seems like more than three days since I've posted. Just had to show some garden pictures. Today the weather calls for severe thunderstorms possible off and on all day and into the night. We have weather watches in our immediate area and sunshine in between. I took these photos in the midst of a "sunny" spell. Feels like a "steam oven" right now!

Out back: astillbe, bee balm, ivy geraniums, impatiens, butterfly bush.

Here's one of my little guys with our cat, Mickey, under the deck bench. He was trying to pet Mickey.  Mickey has allergies and we forgot to get his injection, so his nose is all spotty. Poor guy. So negligent are we.

Now, maybe you can tell me if this is a carpenter bee. We have had them drilling holes in our pergola, but my sister, who identified them, hasn't told me what they look like. She saw a special on carpenter bees.

Have a super wonderful day!!!

Lady Gardener