Swaths Of Purple Siberian Iris Within The Middle Meadow Garden Butterflies and Birds

Looking back over the month of June, iris sepals unfurl and fall creating waves of hues from lavender to deep purple . . . filling the Middle Meadow garden with hundreds of blooms lasting nearly three full weeks as new buds continue to open.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails Papilio glaucus or Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Papilio canadensis add to the spectacle in complementary colors. On most days I count over twenty of these bright colored butterflies floating about the gardens and when they dip deep into the iris their wings become like sepals and petals.  

A wide angle lens makes everything seem smaller and farther away. 

Up close again a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoys reaching in between the folds too.

Bluebird nestlings cry out above the iris from within their nest box. 

The parents are waiting for me to move on before taking their harvests to their young.

Silver-spotted Skipper feeding on Garden Heliotrope while a Spicebush Swallowtail dives into an iris.

I am guessing Eastern Tiger Swallowtail but whatever the name these creatures fill the gardens and fields in numbers during the month of June delighting in wildflowers, as well as, an array of blossoms from native and non native cultivated perennials and shrubberies. Swallowtails and other butterflies are eye candy for birds and it pains me to see their tattered wings as the days unfold. Such is life for those critters lower on the food chain.

Imagine these images with bright butterflies flitting about as birds splash and fly to and fro.

There seems to be a constant flurry of activity about the iris during the first three weeks in June.

A Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus visits our gardens and this is my first sighting of this species here at Flower Hill Farm. I am not aware of the host plant Spicebush Lindera benzoin, growing on our land but perhaps a neighbor is cultivating it. I will be sure to add this native plant to our gardens soon.

Chartreuse leaves of native Thermopsis villosa offer a lovely contrast to the purple iris. 

A row of peonies falls down towards the display of iris. 

The weather was such that spring flowers all seem to come into bloom at once.

Purple from the folds of iris create a lovely backdrop for this Red-spotted Admiral as it sips the dreaded goutweed. 

Standing within the iris looking over towards a weeping cut-leaf Japanese Maple and beyond to the north garden where Rosa rugosa makes a show. More of the North Garden in mauves and pinks coming soon. "So long June!"

Play of Light in a Garden Landscape

Golden hillside hue

trees bend in the misty light

woodcut into dusk

Illumination

from within lamps glow outward

rose twilight hour

Dawn spreads like a cloth

awakening colors true

flitting butterflies

Gardens capture light

bursting buds into color

lifting spirits bright

Wondrous Patterns of Water

Watery Stars. Spheres 

Clinging in Wondrous Patterns

Droplets Rain and Dew

Moisture for the Soul

Caring for Eternity

Sip the liquid Gold

Health Revived Whole

Imagination Swirling  

Lupine Leaves Unfold

Seasonal Musings Part Six Farmhouse Backdoor Gardens East

WINTER

Here behind the Farmhouse Retreat, we conclude our overview of the back gardens . . .  mostly trees, shrubs and views . . . as seen from the buildings. My next post will share the front garden, which admittedly . . . for the most part . . .  I have let be what it wishes to be. Sitting out behind the farmhouse offers a grand vista and lots of wildlife going hither and thither. I have had many lovely luncheons and teas with dear friends and special blogging guests using this table, where it would be covered with food and drink rather than a perfect foot high cake of snow. For this post I went deeper into my archives.

I want to let you know right away that I have a guest post up over at  Wildlife Garden . If you have not discovered this great site, whose goal is to rethink and redefine the beautiful, while encouraging wild native plants . . . oh, and much more . . . be sure to check it out. Most likely you will become a regular reader. I am honored for the invitation to write a post. I offer the post to Gail's . . .  Clay and Limestone . . .  Wildflower Wednesday.

Bluebirds enjoy berries in the backdoor garden.

An old Apple tree I inherited and have carefully pruned over the years stands as a stunning garden feature on the southeast slope. Some years I did let the pruning slip a bit too much.

SPRING

The light is mesmerizing at times and plays an important role in animating the gardens each day. A nearly setting sun throws a golden fleece across the Spring panorama.

Some years I move the table and chairs to other locations. Looking southeast over Magnolia and Apple blossoms, you can also see part of the upper garden with sweetly perfumed blooms of Viburnums and Lilacs.

Spring is like a mini Autumn, where fresh new greens unfurl in different values and ranges. I never knew there could be so many different shades of green. After months of Winter nakedness, the hillside becomes breathtakingly beautiful in its Spring raiment.

As early Spring moves into late Spring, when turning slightly left in our chair . . .  northeast towards Walnut and Carey Hill . . .  the backdoor garden offers other treats. The fragrant blossoms of Miss Kim and other late blooming Lilacs are delicious right outside the north corner of the farmhouse and waft into the indoor rooms as well. Once again the beauty and stature of the tall native Black Cherry graces the gardens and note before him the English Hawthorne preparing her blossoms for their curtain call.

SUMMER

Summer unveils blooms of wild roses . . . these create the berries the bluebirds enjoy above . . . along with peonies and iris.

Japanese Tree Lilac makes a stellar statement along with the wild roses and rich hue of Japanese Maple leaves. 

There is always a tree, shrub or plant abloom following another as it fades away. Though it is always sad to see Miss Kim and the other late blooming Lilacs go, for their beauty, scent and how they enliven this corner of the garden, as they are also a favorite of Swallowtails and other butterflies. 

Lupines seem to be very happy naturalizing in the backdoor garden.

AUTUMN

Autumn colors slowly emerge from fading leafy greens.

I often see hot air balloons floating over the hills. Someday I must try it too!

The Blueberry field below becomes afire with brilliant reds and crimsons.

Autumn completes our seasons and brings us near full circle again . . . as passing frosty days paint the landscape bold and blow the leaves away. 

Wishing you a Happy Winter Solstice! Many Blessings for this Holiday Season.