Mosaic Monday #139: The Garden Explosion

One of the many benefits of getting away from home for six days?  The changes in the garden jump out!  It's as though the plants have exploded in volume and color.  Upon our return, even #1 Son commented on its beauty and the multitude of butterflies.  I am thrilled to give you a peek into my oasis!

My fellow gardeners will not be the least bit surprised to read that the bee balm is the most significant butterfly magnet in my garden.

Of course, some species seem to prefer other plants, such as the coreopsis (upper left) or yellow penstemon (bottom).

Today, I was surprised to find a host of tiny grasshoppers hanging out on the prairie coneflower.  They weren't the least bit fazed when I leaned in for the close-up.

Speaking of critters, my commitment to let nature run its course with my native plants is a strategy that seems to be paying off.  The caterpillars that nibbled on the goldenrod do not seem to have had a lasting impact; if anything, the munching caused the plant to branch out and produce even more flower heads.  The aphid infestation on the asters has not destroyed any part of the plant.  And I wonder if, by allowing the aphids to linger on the asters and other plants, it kept them from flocking to the non-natives such as the burning bushes; the last two summers, those bushes had tell-tale leaf curl from aphids -- but not this summer.

In general, I am delighted that the garden has started to "fill in".  As faithful readers will recall, we started with minimal plantings three summers ago.  Through natural seeding, as well as my own strategic sowing of seeds collected from the garden, several beds have begun to take on the full, higgledy-piggledy prairie look that is my goal.   

The "big picture" views excite me, and close-ups are also a source of joy.

The fence baskets and deck pots are also coming along nicely.

The rock garden near the front of the driveway is still a work in progress, and that makes sense given it has only been in place two years.

I may regret planting this lamium, a perennial from last year's baskets; they are not native and can quickly take over a bed.  But for now, they provide color and interest while the rest of the plants get up and running.  Just another part of my garden journey!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.

The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time).

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