- Author: Andrea Peck
Birds, Blooms and Butterflies
This month’s Advice to Grow By workshop will star birds, blooms and butterflies. The workshop, put on by the University of California Master Gardeners, will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Garden of the Seven Sisters, located at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. Bring a notepad and be prepared to discover the connection between wildlife and success in the garden.
As population soars and growth sneaks into unfettered areas, wildlife habitat continues to decline. Come and uncover the history, problems and causes related to loss of wildlife habitat. Wildlife adds animation to the garden, but also confers many benefits, such as insect control and ecological balance. Learn how your skills as a gardener can help create a beautiful, sustainable garden that encourages a diverse and healthy ecosystem.
With spring in full bloom, birds are nesting and eating up a storm – make sure they’re eating your insects by inviting them into your garden. Penstemon, fuchsia and verbena are irresistible to tiny hummingbird pollinators, while mockingbirds, phoebe and bushtits are ready to eat caterpillars and other livewires who make it their business to eat your prized plants.
Just like the flora that surrounds us, the fauna has basic needs. Food, water, shelter and space are as important as air to living creatures, so if you’re intent on hiring insect eaters, pollinators or simply a pretty face, your best bet is to create a suitable environment. Elements such as food for all seasons, supplemental feeders, water features, plant selection, layout and nesting locations are on the list of topics. Bees, bats, butterflies, birds, amphibians and reptiles will not escape discussion.
Connecting the elements of landscaping in order to appropriately encourage wildlife will round out Saturday’s talk.
Get the most out of the workshop. Wear comfortable clothing and sunscreen and please park in the lot adjacent to the demonstration garden. Most of all, enjoy!
Have a Gardening Question?
Contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: at 781-5939 from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and Thursday; at 473-7190 from 10 to 12 p.m. on Wednesday in Arroyo Grande; and at 434-4105 from 9 to 12 p.m. on Wednesday in Templeton. Visit the UCCE Master Gardeners Web site at http://ucanr.org/sites/mgslo/ or e-mail mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu
My question: Which other types of butterflies are known to frequent SLO County and which host plants will encourage them to visit my garden? Leading me to a link on SLO butterflies would be helpful. Thank you, Nancy S, Nipomo, CA