#aglais milberti

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Larvae of the Milbet’s tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais milberti) feeding on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves. These softly spiny caterpillars are probably nearing their last molt before the chrysalis stage.

fire-rim tortoiseshell - aglais milberti (nymphalidae)

author; judygva, inaturalist.org

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Here are some blooms in my early October garden:

Pink Asters (variety/species unknown).

They attracted a rare butterfly to the yard, the Milbert’s Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti):

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ASTER laevis ‘Bluebird’ beloved of butterflies and bumblebees alike. (The last butterflies are taking their last sips.)

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HYDRANGEA (PeeGee), hanging on and in fact beautifying as it fades to dusky rose.

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PHLOX. Only a few still blooming but they want their moment of fame.

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The HELENIUM autumnale (sneezeweed), a rebloomer from a 2017 Botanical Interests’ “Bring Home the Butterflies” seed mix, is going strong in the peach guild despite the frosts.

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CHELONE lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ is another deep pink October bloom, along with the pink aster, the hydrangea, the Autumn Fire/Joy sedums, and the Joe Pye weed seedheads.

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Continuing with pink, here are an Autumn Fire SEDUM, a volunteer COSMOS, a bi-toned pink DIANTHUS, a BORAGE on the pinker rather than bluer side, and a small perennial CHRYSANTHEMUM flowering right through the first frosts.

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Two reddish annuals survived the first frosts as well, though the LARGE FIRECRACKER PLANT (Cuphea ‘Vermillionare’) only barely.

I was surprised to see the red-flowered PINEAPPLE SAGE (Salvia elegans) make it through, as heavenly scented as always. 

The annual white and purple AFRICAN DAISIES (Osteospermum) are handling the chill like champs.

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Finally, two purple bloomers, a LAVENDER and a CENTAUREA, both reblooming.

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I know it’s not a flower but the aging leaves of this giant HOSTA (variety unknown) are as eye-catching right now as anything in the garden.

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See you in the Spring! Meanwhile, I’ll be bathing my eyes in the blooms of bloggers in the warmer climes.

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“The boy always felt October as a twilight month. Its whole function was the preparation for winter, a getting ready, a drawing-in of the sun like a snail into its shell, a shortening and tightening against the long cold.“ – Wallace Stegner, from “In the Twilight”

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.