Now is the perfect time to start observing those bare patches of ground in your yard. Seeds are sprouting and hopefully some wildflowers are among them! Although they may appear to be weeds wildflowers are great nectar plants for butterflies. The grasses or perennials that grow in between them are good as well, providing cover and resting areas for the butterflies.
The mist flower is one such flower that I see blooming now. It is a great source of nectar for a variety of butterflies.
The absence of leaf cover also makes this a great time to get going on removing invasive exotics such as rosary pea and Caesar weed. The rosary pea (Arbus precatorius) is setting seed now and is easy to spot. The Caesar weed (Urena lobata) has already sprouted after setting seed in the fall and early winter. The seedlings are quite easy to pull up. The Brazilian Pepper -tree ( Schinus terebinthifolius )is also full of berries now and easy to spot as well. Those trees need to be girdled and poisoned but the sprouts are easy to pull.
The mist flower is one such flower that I see blooming now. It is a great source of nectar for a variety of butterflies.
The absence of leaf cover also makes this a great time to get going on removing invasive exotics such as rosary pea and Caesar weed. The rosary pea (Arbus precatorius) is setting seed now and is easy to spot. The Caesar weed (Urena lobata) has already sprouted after setting seed in the fall and early winter. The seedlings are quite easy to pull up. The Brazilian Pepper -tree ( Schinus terebinthifolius )is also full of berries now and easy to spot as well. Those trees need to be girdled and poisoned but the sprouts are easy to pull.
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