Sunday, June 17, 2012

Soothing Scents in the Garden



One of the plants we grow in the garden for its fragrance is valerian, Valeriana officinalis.  This plant is well known to have a tranquilizing effect.  The fragrance is a bit odd.  Some people find it pleasant others do not.  We both like it and we are not alone.  Amy had no trouble getting several pictures of this bee and butterfly.  They were too occupied and quieted by the valerian to notice her or the camera.

   
This butterfly looks very much like one I saw on the stinging nettles the other day.   I still can't identify it.                                                                                          


These two  Ctenucha virginica moths were perfectly happy to stick around for their close up.    The valerian had their undivided attention. These are interesting moths.  I love those feathery antennae.

 Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. The  evening is was delightfully cool so we had the living room window open.  From what seemed like far off came an incredible coyote serenade.  This was not a single howl, but something more like a large chorus.  We were watching a movie so I can tell you the noise outside was loud.  Ed muted the sound to really listen, but in what seemed like a just couple of seconds the coyotes went completely silent.  How do they do that?  We have big sky here and the stars were beautiful.  Last night was also the first night I noticed the lightening bugs blinking on and off above the garden.

Again today the weather is perfect for spending time in the garden.  Time to get the weed bucket, stop by the valerian for a good whiff and get to work!

5 comments:

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

A dramatic life - coyotes and fire flies.

Our valerian is a pinkish red so I found it interesting that yours is white. It grows here in gardens and in the wild.

The moths are beautiful. Moths are dramatic too!

Going Native said...

Sounds like a perfect day to me.

Elsie Xie said...

Love that image of the 2 mnoths. Too bad the background is dark so the antennae is not so visible

Katie said...

I suspect that may be a female white admiral butterfly. White admirals are quite variable. Could be wrong though.

Becky said...

I've seen White Admirals that I recognize around. I can see a resemblance. Thanks!