Regular readers of the blog will be aware that I am posting very late in the day for my Monday missive. My apologies.
But I do have something of an excuse. I'm just back from fulfilling something of an ambition - to see the migration of Monarch butterflies on the east coast of the States. And it was...now let me find the right term for the location...awesome!
But of course I couldn't help but think wildlife gardening at the same time. And look what most of them were choosing to feed on - wild sunflowers. They were in glorious profusion in the marshland edges.
I was assured by the manager of the Cape May Bird Observatory that the sunflowers were native, although I need to confirm the species. But the basic fact is that North America is where our garden sunflowers originate from, whether it be the delicate willowy blooms like this one or the giant cultivars grown in Mediterranean fields and school gardens.
Now I'm not claiming that we're all going to start getting Monarchs in our garden if we plant them (I'll save that for my dreams). But sunflowers are such a great all-rounder of a plant here in British gardens anyway, attracting several species of bee in particular. And then they turn into home-grown bird seed. Now that's awesome too!
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
It doesn’t matter where in your garden you grow your sunflowers Jeff, the moment they are ripe they will be found. I grow them every year in different parts of the garden. I’m sure the birds watch and wait, the moment they are ripe they are a pile of empty husks on the ground.
Build it and they will come.
Sounds an excellent plan, Jef. Let us know if you're successful.
I am green with envy, what a fantastic experience! Beautiful photo of a beautiful butterfly, I have never seen one.
I do agree about sunflowers, they are such cheerful flowers and quite beautiful en masse. I try to grow some every year, in pots on the patio, as my garden is very windy. I hope to find a sheltered but sunny spot in the garden so the birds and insects get used to that position each year.
Kind regards Jane.