Joe Pye Weed is one of those prime butterfly-attracting plants, like Buddleia. I divided the wild Joe Pye growing on the farm and put it in the garden, and the butterflies flock to it in droves!
The beautiful polka-dotted Monarch
The elegant Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The dazzling Eastern Black Swallowtail
I often see Swallowtails, Fritillaries, and Cloudless Sulfurs feeding on the zinnias. These are the first decent shots of Cloudless Sulfurs that I have ever gotten, they usually flit about so quickly.
Female
Male
Coming in for a landing
She looks so plush doesn't she?
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These are amazing photographs. I have such a soft spot for the Monarch :)
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about getting some Joe Pye weed for the butterflies. Your pictures have convinced me.Will it grow in old clay soil?
I love butterflies and you could have this one on blooming Friday to!!
ReplyDeleteMB
they are all so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures Sweetbay. The Cloudless Sulfurs are sure pretty, I've never seen them before. And aren't you the brave one getting so close to the bees for those great shots!
ReplyDeleteoh my sweetbay, what great photos!! Joe Pye is certainly a great butterfly magnet. I am always amazed at how many butterflies are on them. Lantana seems to run a close second.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos! I love the variety of winged critters. Beautiful flowers, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Thanks for the help telling male and female sulphurs apart. I think I usually see females.
ReplyDeleteMy Joe Pye weed is struggling and just has a few blooms. I'm not sure if they are even open yet. Hopefully, the butterflies will find them. The butterfly bush we've had the longest is huge this year, and the bees and butterflies are loving it.
What a pretty variety of butterflies! I bought Chocolate eupatorium this year and am waiting for it to bloom. I hope it attracts butterflies like yours!
ReplyDeleteWonderful captures! The Swallowtails are truly stunning. We seem to have mostly Cabbage Whites!
ReplyDeleteAfter yesterday I'm even more impressed then usual. I tried to photo a butterfly but it kept on flying away as soon as I had it in focus :) Lovely photos !!
ReplyDeleteLike Sue, I'm glad you mentioned the differnce in the male and female sulphers. I too usually see females and have been lucky enough to get some pics but they are fast,lol. I really should plant Joe Pye again. I tried 'Bartered Bride'(was mislabeled) a few years ago but it was only attractive for a couple of days out of the year,lol.
ReplyDeleteThat is one AWESOME stand of Joe Pye! Simply gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat's some marvelous and marvelously patient photography. I'll have to do some local research to find out if I can get the Joe Pye Weed here.
ReplyDeletewow magnificent insects, flowers and cute butterflies!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing and happy camera critters
purrs
Luna
What an amazing variety of butterflies Sweet Bay. You've taken such great photos of them too. We are not seeing many this year so I'm envious. I agree that Joe Pye is one of the best plants for pollinators ~ it's so beautiful too, one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the butterflies, bee, and flowers!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to learn the names of the butterflies, too.
Wow! Great images. I love the monarch butterfly. I would love to get a shot like that, but it is quite the challenge. I should look for some joe Pye Weed they seem to love!
ReplyDeletewow! it must be lovely to spend a quiet afternoon in your garden with these beautiful creatures flitting around for company:)...i especially like the eastern black swallowtail:)...
ReplyDeleteWonderful butterfly photos. My favorite kind. I planted two Joe Pyes this year and saw not a single butterfly on either. Maybe next year will be a better year for butterflies here.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
The Joe Pye is popular at my house too. Growing native is the best.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing the Cloudless Sulphurs. Thank you! They are so pretty and very fast moving...all your butterflies are gorgeous...the Swallowtails are amazing butterflies.
I do love the bees too.
Sherry
SB, I am always happy after a visit here...If I were a bee, butterfly or any other flower loving critter I would bee, too:) I think your sun and soil must have magic! Big heads of Joe Pye Weed, my favorite zinnia color and the rose...Is that mutabilis? All delightful....gail
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love the top photo of Joe Pye and all your butterfly shots are beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Now life can't get better than watching butterflies buds and bees!
ReplyDeletelove all that you share and oh my looking back at previous posts..your Tommy cat is
Purr-fection!
meow & purrr-Zzzzz =^'^=
Hi Sweet Bay, I love seeing your flying visitors and yes, that bee is wearing a particularly velvety cloak! Love your Joe Pye and other visitors. I have been unable to capture any of the few butterflies hovering around here so far. They are not sitting still at all! Your variety is fabulous! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Love your garden guests--I agree the blue swallowtail is dazzling! I bet they're all very happy in your garden. For reasons entirely unknown, my zinnias are a complete bust this year, which bums me out a lot. My Joe Pye is doing well, and I do have nice insect visitors.
ReplyDeleteGreat butterfly photos and garden shots Sweet bay! Love the first one... all of them really. Wonderful colors! Hope it cools off soon... it is much nicer here again.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular photos! Love the black swallowtail.
ReplyDelete