From In the Garden |
There are several really good perennials to plant in order to attract butterflies but not as many shrubs to choose from as perennials. Think butterfly weed, lantana, Joe Pye weed, salvia, hostas, zinnias, phlox, agastache, and the list goes on as far as perennials attracting butterflies. When you choose shrubs to plant for butterflies there are a few good ones out there as well. Shrubs such as Butterfly Bush, spicebush, clethra, viburnums, and a few others that will surely attract butterflies but hydrangea is not one I usually think about when I think butterflies in the garden. That has all changed this year.
From In the Garden |
I grow all types of hydrangeas; the quercifolias, the paniculatas, the arborescens, the macrophyllas, and the even a climbing hydrangea. There are probably more types but I can't think of them now and I only grow these four genuses so I will limit myself to only them on this blog. Midsummer and late summer in my garden belongs to the paniculata hydrangeas so we'll talk of them today. And wow! They are looking pretty good this year. Pictured in this particular post is Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond'. I also grow Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva', and Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora' (not yet in bloom) and Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' (just coming into bloom). The 'Pink Diamond' and 'Tardiva' are very near one another (just across a chain link fence. Both are in full bloom right now. The 'Tardiva' grows in the Northside Shrub Border while the 'Pink Diamond' is in the Woodland Garden. Both hydrangeas are near the Joe Pye weed I just posted about this Wednesday.
From In the Garden |
I've grown my paniculatas for about six years and I find them a hardy lot that requires little care. I do cut them back in February each year and that is about it. Paniculatas bloom on new wood and cutting them back does not affect the summer blooms. If you don't cut them back they can get mighty leggy and not so attractive. I rarely have to water these hydrangeas but they occasionally get pretty limp and appreciate a good drink of water. One unexpected advantage of these summer blooming hydrangeas are the butterflies. There are as many butterflies on the blooms of the hydrangeas as there are on the Joe Pye Weed-what a sight! I think the fact that these blooms are so prominent and all centrally located on the shrub helps to congregate all the butterflies (mainly swallowtails) in one location. It is a sight to see indeed. So, when thinking attracting butterflies think outside of the box and plant a wide variety of shrubs and be sure to include a few paniculatas....
in the garden....
What shrubs in your garden besides butterfly bush attract butterflies?
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In the Garden