In Franconia last week (Arthropod Adventures Part I)

Its wonderful to see which flowers attract different beneficial insects. The Liatrus (seen below) and the Echinacea (seen later) attract many different bees and butterflies as far as pollinators go. The neat thing about this Liatrus is that is attracted a type of crab spider that is looking to bag itself a fat fly that's landing on the Liatrus. We watched it throughout the day and this patient spider stayed on the same flower (how did he know what part of the plant to sit on?) all day and by the end of the day he had caught his fly. We visited him throughout the day and you can see him stalking a butterfly and then the final picture is him with the pollinating fly. Without further delay: the adventures of the crab spider.

Here he sits.
Here, he stalks his prey.
He rounds the corner - ever so slowly.
The prey doesn't see the spider and slides back toward him again...
...and then leaves.
By the end of the day he gets his fly : )
(Bumble bee comes to the Liatrus).
Here are the beautiful butterflies on the Echinacea! Observing wonders like these while you're gardening is so much fun!


How close can I get without scaring her away?
This home had a variety of lovely areas managed around the house and driveway. This area was what I would call a sort of "Woodland Garden" where the designer incorporated Ligularia, Astilbe, Rhododendron, and a Hemerocallis (on the edge) throughout a wooded area next to the drive. The effect was lovely with different arrangements of managed shrubs and perennials. It had a "natural" look without being to formal, but was pleasing to the senses.
Here we had various assortments of shrubs and (on the other side) perennials to give a nice transition from the ground to the deck and then to the house. There were small Spirea in this area as well as some Syringa, Euonymus, Rhododendron, and Mugo Pine. We edged and mulched this area with a lovely aged mulch, which makes it turn and stay black. It will also have more readily available nutrients that are partially broken down for the shrubs that need nutrients.

Here's a lovely little "rock garden." Its surrounded by rocks and has some great Stachys, Thymus, Hemerocallis, Phlox, Iris, and creeping Sedum giving it a great rock garden theme. The lilies were in bloom and it looked spectacular! This is also where the Liatrus, Echinacea, and crab spider lived.


Here is a lovely shrub screen with a larger variety of Spirea, some Syringa and a lovely double-blooming Hydrangea that bloomed in the spring and late summer. We edged and mulched this area again, spreading some moo-doo tree and shrub on the lilacs that looked a little malnourished. Everyone got a little fertilizer (since they were growing in fill - practically pure sand!) and they were quite content.

This black mulch makes a nice contrast!
These little peonies were in pretty rough shape when we got to them. Its difficult for a mower to go around a garden that has no edge and not hurt the plants within - so we gave it a needed definition between garden and lawn, gave them some lovely compost and fertilizer and again, that lovely black mulch! They perked right up and should be blooming next year!
Here was another garden where stones was incorporated. Its very well balanced and looks fantastic! Here we finally had some Hostas, little Aruncus (Goats Beard), Astilbe, and lots of Alchemilla (Lady's Mantle)! What a lovely delicate yellow flower they have!


Here is an ornamental fence featuring Weigela at each corner with Lonicera vine accompanying the two end bushes and peonies filling in the middle for some lovely foliage this time of year. After edging, mulch, and some more organic fertilizer, we were good to go!
I hope you enjoyed this entry and the Arthropod Adventures! Tune in for more soon!