Lots of people have asked how my new habitat is coming along. (For those of you who missed it, I planted an acre of native habitat on unwanted lawn.) Of over a hundred trees, only two didn’t make it. We also planted hundreds of berry bushes for the birds, plus groundcover plants and wildflower seeds that will come up next spring.
Here’s the comparison, with the top photo from July when the planting was finished, and the bottom photo from early October. As you can see, the trees are thriving and the plants are filling in:
Some of the plants, such as this Black-Eyed Susan, were tiny when we planted them. I can’t believe that in just a few short months they have turned into giant mounds of exuberant blooms!
The ironweed has also gown like crazy. It attracts bees and butterflies, and is home to the American Painted Lady caterpillar.
The Echinacea plants are happily blooming. Looking closely, I’m in awe of the center structure. Nature is marvelous, isn’t it?
As I was leaving my little habitat, I spied this LGB (Little Grey Bird). I hope someone will tell me what sort of bird this is! He reminds me of why I find my forest such a place of joy. It’s gratifying to see the birds flock to their new plants. I love it.
Audrey! I love all the photos in your nature section of Audknits website! I even found dear deer hangin’ out there! I will have to return to this spot of nature in the future! 🙂