www.flowersinaustin.com http://www.flowersinaustin.com Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:53:21 +0000 en hourly 1 Attracting Butterflies To Your Austin Garden http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/08/attracting-butterflies-to-your-austin-garden/ http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/08/attracting-butterflies-to-your-austin-garden/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.flowersinaustin.com/?p=10 No matter what size garden you intend to create, there are several key elements required to attract and keep butterflies: Plants, sun, wind protection, moisture, shelter, and a pesticide-free area. Create a ‘butterfly bath’ using a shallow dish, add dirt or beach sand, and keep the soil moist, but not soaked. Place rocks around the fountain or garden in sunny spots so butterflies can warm themselves. The plants below depict a portion of what is available.

Host Plants

Adult butterflies lay their eggs on the host plants. The emerged caterpillar feeds upon these plants until the pupa or Chrysalis stage.

Alfalfa, Bermuda Grass, Blue Bonnets, Borage, Dill, False Nettle, Fennel, Holly, Hollyhock, Hops, Lupine, Mallow, Mesquite and other woody legumes, Mullein, Nettle/Thistles, Parsley, Passionvine, Queen Anne’s Lace, Snapdragon, Sorrel, St. Augustine Grass, Willow

Nectar Plants

Adult butterflies seek flowers for food whether warm colored, pink, purple, white, or yellow, and are also attracted to scent.

Agave, Black Dalea, Black-eyed Susan, Blackfoot Daisy, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Cowpen Daisy, Fleabane, Goldenrod, Greeneyes, Ice Plant, Joe-Pye Weed, Lantana, Liatris, Mistflower, Pentas, Phlox, Privet, Purple Coneflower, Sage, Snake herb, Verbena, Vetch

Host and Nectar Plants

Asters, Clover, Marigold, Milkweed, Sunflower, Thistle, Violet

]]> http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/08/attracting-butterflies-to-your-austin-garden/feed/ 0 Growing Organically In Your Texas Garden http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/02/growing-organically-in-your-texas-garden/ http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/02/growing-organically-in-your-texas-garden/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.flowersinaustin.com/?p=8 For homeowners or even a commercial business who has a garden in the state of Texas, growing with the aid of organic materials, and even purchasing organic plants to plant, can really make a difference in the overall look of the garden which you grow. The use of organic soil, mulch, and any other products which can really give a great look to your plants, will really make a difference in the overall appeal, the overall growth, and the way that the garden is going to settle in, once the plants, trees, and shrubs have all fully grown, to the size they are going to grow to.

So, when you are planning the design of your garden, before you begin, you must consider introducing organic materials, and planting supplies, to really get the overall look you want to get, and to give your plants and trees, the nutrients they need, so that they are capable of growing to their full potential. Introducing these natural growing aids can really make a huge difference in your garden, and can really give it the grand look you are trying to achieve, when you first develop and design the garden plot and the layout.

]]> http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/02/growing-organically-in-your-texas-garden/feed/ 0 The Ten Secret Gems Of Austin’s Botanical Gardens http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/01/the-ten-secret-gems-of-austins-botanical-gardens/ http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/01/the-ten-secret-gems-of-austins-botanical-gardens/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.flowersinaustin.com/?p=7 Austin’s Zilker Botanical Gardens are maintained by a non-profit society with a goal to encourage the knowledge and adoration of gardening amongst individuals of every age. All of the gardens present their own unique charms; however, here are ten of them that are especially interesting.

• The lush Green Garden is home to a statue of “Saint Francis of Assisi” which is displayed on a dais of rocks.

• A remarkable natural stone bench can be found in the Herb Garden.

• Mabel Davis Rose Garden is breathtaking and is viewed at its finest when visitors step off the main trail and enter through the metal arbor.

• The plants in the prehistoric garden are the kinds that existed when the dinosaurs roamed the area.

• There are several Japanese maples scattered among the Taniguchi Japanese Garden.

• The Organic Garden is a replica of a pioneer village that consists of organic plants from throughout the world that are grown in a long-established manner.

• Accomplishing blooms that last longer than a day are being achieved at the spectacular Daylily Garden.

• Newly planted species of desert plants (including Spanish Dagger, Blue Beargrass Tree, Golden Barrel and Blue Sotol) can now be found in the CACTUS AND SUCCULENT GARDEN.

• The Doug Blachly Butterfly Trail and Garden is a natural outdoor hatchery for butterflies.

• A new dinosaur made of plants is located in the Children’s Garden and just may be the coolest of the gems.

]]> http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/09/01/the-ten-secret-gems-of-austins-botanical-gardens/feed/ 0 Take An Arboreal Tour Of Austin http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/08/30/take-an-arboreal-tour-of-austin/ http://www.flowersinaustin.com/2011/08/30/take-an-arboreal-tour-of-austin/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.flowersinaustin.com/?p=6 The city of Austin is one of the most beautiful places in the country. It boasts a variety of parks and recreation that is second to none. It is estimated that more people who travel to Austin decide to do so often because of it’s land mass views, it’s proximity to Colorado and Oklahoma, and its wide diversity of cultures that reside there. It’s the capital of Texas and has been since 1839. The city of Austin is named after Stephen F. Austin, who is known as the father of Texas. It’s the fourth largest city in Texas. Austin housed the University of Texas and is considered a Technology giant.

Austin has wildlife, arts, and entertainment venues year round. With its water parks, biking trails and nature centers people enjoy visiting this wonderful atmosphere whenever they can. Its hotels are world-class and have the amenities to prove it. More people migrate to this city year round since 2000 than in previous years because of its hospitality.

With fortune 500 companies constantly hiring, spectacular views and to-die-for weather most of the year, it’s no wonder it’s one of the cities where new and old Texans like to call home. Peaceful, inviting and diverse, Austin is the place to be!

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