Frit's Emergence, Monarch Pupas, and a Crazy Garden Man

Category: Morning Hodgepodge | Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:40 pm

Well, this morning I came down to discover that my Gulf Fritillary Pupa, Frit, had finally emerged from his (her) chrysalis.

The wings were still a bit damp, so I carefully removed the butterfly and placed it on my Empire Blue butterfly bush.

About an hour later he flew away. I just love the vibrancy of a brand new butterfly. The wings are just so rich looking.

Last night was a busy night full of changes! The remaining 3 monarchs have pupated next to their sibling. I guess they thought it was a great spot. The 1st one to pupate is the more blueish green color. It should be a busy time when they all emerge!

I was so inspired by Bethie's hypertufa faces that I decided to try and make one. I kept trying to make a very handsome lady...with kind of a Greek or Roman look, but instead I got this crazy looking Garden Man. The freaky thing is that he looks slightly familiar...a bit like my grandfather, and a bit like dh's grandfather, both have passed away. My husband can't even look at it without cracking up. I've planted some variegated lirope in his head and then little pieces of this "weed" that keeps popping up, but I like it's blue flowers.

I am looking forward to making more!

I decided to buy a different plant for my new garden bed. I was planning on a night blooming jasmine Cestrum nocturnum but ended up getting a tibouchina. I love the fuzzy leaves and the large purple flowers. I am trying to incorporate more tropicals into my landscape since they are readily available and should thrive in this climate. I saw lots of these at Islands of Adventure (Universal Studios) and wondered what they were. Now I have my own. The leaves are nice, like tropical lambs ears.

Here is the tibouchina:

The trellis behind is where my Ruby Glow passionflower will go...I think the bright fuschia and deep purple will look nice near this tibouchina.

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glendann wrote on Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:52 pm:

WoW those are wonderful .The butterfly is a wonder.I love the tibouchina.The color is just beautiful.

hummingbird3172 wrote on Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:36 pm:

Thanks Glenda! I really like this deep purple too!

eileen wrote on Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:33 pm:

Your tibouchinaour reminds me of Royal purple velvet as it's such a rich, deep colour. The Gulf Frit certinly looks fantastic doesn't it? Can't wait to see piccies of the rest when they emerge.

hummingbird3172 wrote on Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:41 pm:

I just love this shade of purple...I had the cestrum nocturum in the cart...but then I couldn't help myself...I went for the purple!

eileen wrote on Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:19 pm:

I would have done exactly the same. Hold it!! No I wouldn't - I'd have bought both!! LOL

hummingbird3172 wrote on Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:33 pm:

Yeah....believe me, I am thinking of going back. I'm just trying to think of the perfect location. I know the Cestrum will get pretty large. They had a bunch of the cestrums, but not as many of these (that looked healthy). It was pretty rootbound, I discovered. I am sure it will be much happier in it's new location!