Raise your hand if you’re busy celebrating spring. (Both my hands are raised!) When I was asked to work with Monrovia again, I didn’t hesitate. The timing is perfect, too, because after traveling and promoting my book during March, my immediate plan was to spiff up our butterfly garden with a pop of spring color. Just in time for Easter.
Even though our established perennials are beginning to bloom, adding a few fresh, vibrant Monrovia plants into existing beds is the best way I know to give the world an immediate boost. I headed straight to the local nursery where I had no trouble filling my shopping cart with lots of spring color. Seriously, you can keep the plastic eggs and chocolate bunnies. The picture below represents my dream Easter basket!
So what’d I buy?
For the Butterflies~
Two years ago, I planted a butterfly garden in our backyard. Each spring, I add to it with butterfly attracting perennials. My husband and I live in Zone 6, so it’s a bit early to plant milkweed, but I was happy to find two of our tried and true Monrovia favorites—salvia and coreopsis. These winners are long-blooming and hardy, they complement each other in style and color, and they attract butterflies and bees.
As pollinators, butterflies and bees are critical to our environment. Flowers and flowering shrubs that attract them are high on my preferred list.
We grow several coreopsis varieties, and this Up-Tick Cream & Red Coreopsis really caught my eye. What butterfly wouldn’t be lured to this beauty?
The salvia I selected is named Sallyrosa April Night. The spiky flowers add interesting structure to our garden and pair well with mounding and trailing perennials.
I planted my new salvia across the walkway from our raised bed filled with established salvia. Having salvia on both sides of the brick walkway adds balance. Monrovia plants grow larger each year. Our showing of salvia will only become more impressive over time.
Our new coreopsis plant found a home in a blank spot near the front walkway. Other perennials are just beginning to surface, but in a month or so, this space will be lush and gorgeous. The pollinators will be all abuzz.
For ideas on attractive plant color combinations and butterfly gardening tips visit Monrovia’s #GrowBeautifully Design Page.
Sneak Peek~
The Easter basket of plants I purchased? Using Monrovia annuals, I added a pop of color to tired containers. Really, more of a sizzle. Here’s a sneak peek at next week’s front and back porch makeover post. Tis the season, y’all!
As gardeners we’re always planning, right? This weekend, weather permitting, I hope to get in additional quality soil time. I have several clematis vines about to burst into bloom and found the perfect spot to add Boulevard® Nubia™ Clematis to my garden. This new and featured 2017 Monrovia plant has gorgeous dark red flowers, something I need in my life.
You probably do, too.
I’d love to hear about your gardening plans for 2017. Leave me a comment and let me know how your garden is growing. Or post a picture on my Grace Grits and Gardening Facebook page so my readers can enjoy, too!
? Still in the dreaming phase? The Monrovia newsletter offers
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Happy spring planting!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
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Musical Pairing:
Love is Like a Butterfly, Dolly Parton
I love the name Sallyrosa April night! I walked through a large local nursery yesterday to get ideas for this year’s planting. There was so much to choose from, not to mention their wonderful gift shop. I must take you there next time you’re in town. You will love it. I’m definitely in the planting mood, too. Soon. Maybe tomorrow.
I woke up ready to plant again but it’s so chilly and drizzly outside. Ugh. I hope you have better weather!
Beautiful flowers and post! Happy gardening to you. It is too early to get out in the soil here in Iowa but things are beginning to green up. Our pear tree is starting to show it’s pretty blossoms and I have a few daffodils blooming. The constant rain is causing their little heads to droop.
We’ve had lots of rain lately but I’m trying not to complain.
We definitely need the rain in NWA. The lake is down about 8-9 ft….come on April rains!
I was at Lake Beaver last night at it was LOW.
Your salvia looks gorgeous and eye-catching. I agree with you – that is one envy-worthy Easter basket!
Thank you! I brought my established salvia with me from Dallas LOL.
The Monrovia flowers are to die for, Talya! The only “garden” we can enjoy, because we live in a forest, are plants that love the shade. I plant them in pots and place them on our deck so we can enjoy them throughout the spring and summer. You have reminded me here that it’s time to go “play in the dirt” again!
Blessings!
Well, living in a forest sounds heavenly, Martha!
The butterflies were abundant this week, especially around the azaleas. My herbs are perking up and starting their spring showing. There’s something spiritual about getting my hands in the dirt.
I completely agree!
I have so much to learn about flower gardening! I’ve only grown herbs. We’re planting a full cottage garden (or at least starting one) when we get back from London. So excited!
This is me! Sarah Shotts! No idea why it is pulling up an obscure account for me. Oh well. 😉