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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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A surefire way to attract butterflies to your garden
Posted Sep 7, 2010 by Kim Franke-Folstad
Updated Sep 7, 2010 at 03:23 PM
Just about every time I visit my parents in Venice, we make a trip to MRT Lawn & Garden Center.
MRT almost always has great stuff I haven’t seen anywhere else. (Or maybe their plants are just displayed in a different way that draws my attention, I don’t know.)
On Saturday, I found this gorgeous Christia (Cristia) obcordata, or butterfly stripe plant. It looks like a bunch of swallowtails just landed all over it.
I couldn’t resist, even though I’m not sure how long it will last in my yard.
The “experts” say it likes shade, which I don’t have a whole lot of. (Although I’ve also read that it can thrive in sun, so go figure.)
And it likes to stay wet, which is fine during the rainy season, but I’m not the most diligent gardener when it comes to watering during the drier months.
Still, it’s worth a try. I have plenty of real butterflies in my garden, but this is a guaranteed eye-catcher.
I had a little fun with the pot, too. It’s also a new purchase, from the T.J. Maxx Home Goods store in Venice. (Their prices on pots are unbelievable! This one was $14.99.)
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Reader Comments
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on September 07, 2010
Ouch. I was just showing photos of my latest purchases to Penny, and she told me she posted Pumpkin’s butterfly plant on our Facebook page!
I almost bought one for Penny when I got mine, and now I feel terrible.
So everyone, please keep an eye out for these plants, and if you spot one, let Penny know!
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on September 07, 2010
Kim,
I think you are in double trouble, when I saw this plant it stopped me in my tracks. So, when I went to buy myself one I bought one for Gracious and one for Shirgirl. Poor Penny. Pumpkin
Posted by (Chip) on September 08, 2010
I used to have that plant! and it is a very thirsty little plant and doesn’t like the cold! so keep it in a pot and put on your porch somewhere with some shade! Diane and went on vacation and came home to this guy dead! That was before they had those glass watering spheres this would be the plant to do this with! ..“Chip”
Posted by (Pumpkin) on September 08, 2010
Penny, Even Judas Iscariot could have been forgiven, so from now on YOU are on my plant buying list for the special ones.Pumpkin
Posted by (Janna) on September 08, 2010
I LOVE that butterfly plant. I’ll keep my eyes open and if I find one, I’ll get one for you too, Penny! I have to check out The Dirt on Facebook….
Posted by (Chip) on September 08, 2010
Big lots has the watering spheres in the bargain bin, making room for halloween stuff. at lest it is at the store at Bareass and Florida stacks of them right up front….“Chip”
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on September 08, 2010
I bought a bunch of those watering globes at Tuesday Morning (got that tip right here!). You can see I have one stuck into the ornamental pepper right next to the new butterfly plant.
Guess I’ll go pull one out of a hanging basket and give it to the butterflies.
It’s been pretty overcast the past couple of days, so I haven’t had a chance to test the semi-sunny spot where I placed my plant. Chip is making me nervous, though, so I’ll probably move it into a shadier location.
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on September 08, 2010
FOD, I need cottage looking water globes.
Kim, I do want to know how the butterfly plant does in sun, keep us posted.
Penny, This blog was fun today, kidding everyone about plant envy. Pumpkin
FOD. This has nothing to do with gardening, but my daughter turns 26 this month and finally moved out into her own apartment. She is growing up yea!
Posted by (TheNeighbor) on September 09, 2010
I too will be on the lookout for this plant. I love it! Penny is such a sharer, you guys should always think of her when purchasing these beauties! (because I will surely end up with a cutting or seeds)
Posted by (Chip) on September 10, 2010
While on facebook Diane found something I think you all would find interesting. Welch’s Garden Grants , they give grants for schools for gardens! Now that is something I can get behind. Pumkin has a beauitful garden at her school maybe with the help of a Grant it could even be better! ...“Chip”