I'm not certain of the identity of this butterfly. I thought perhaps it was a male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. I'm really not certain, although it sure liked my dwarf crab-apple tree. It came back day after day.....I'm thinking it was the same one.
I know we don't want to think about it but it won't be long and fall will be here and we all know what comes next.....its time for us to be thinking about taking the extra care with our pond plants to make them comfortable for the winter cold. I've noticed the butterflies aren't as plentiful as they had been but occassionally I'm able to catch one.
HARDY BOG/MARGINAL PLANTS
Once your hardy marginal plants begin to brown, usually after the first hard frost, prune back excess foliage and discard any decaying material, so it does not compromise the water quality over the winter months. Potted bog plants such as Pickeral, Thalia Dealbata, and Japanese Variegated Iris should be placed at a sufficient depth to avoid freezing the crown of the plant. Most of the other hardy bog plants can be left as they are and will return the following spring.
Tropical Bog Plants
Many of the tropical bog plants will winter well indoors in a sunny window or with a grow light. They do not need to be submerged in water. Keep the soil constantly moist by placing the potted plants in a tray of water.
Here we go again. I call it the Spring Tease. Just when plants are beginning to sprout and the warm weather hits....big time....it teases us with a mention of snow! The cold front here in Ohio and across the north has moved in for a few days. If you have already put plants out in your ponds, be sure and bring them in or protect them.
I was going to clean my pond last week, but with taking care of our customers and being busy taking your orders and sending orders I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I did see that I had some marsh marigolds blooming and bog bean. It gets me anxious, wanting to put more plants out. Good thing I held back. I'll just leave them be in the nursery where they are nice and warm. Besides, I really need to clean my pond at home since I neglected to do that last year. It's pretty bad. I think I need the Microbe-Lift Sludge Away. I have alot of build up of sludge on the bottom of my pond. Maybe then I'll only need to change out half the water this year. I did start putting the Microbe-Lift Spring and Summer in a couple weeks back and the water is crystal clear, but now you can really see the goop at the bottom. For those that haven't tried the Microbe-Lift Sludge Away it works great at speeding up the removal of sludge & muck naturally.
It is especially helpful for ponds that have a rock or gravel bottom, where vacuuming is impractical. Microbe-Lift SA/Sludge Away is formulated specifically for the removal of organic bottom solids that are slow to degrade but works faster at warm water temperatures, however, Microbe-Lift SA/Sludge Away may be used effectively at any temperature year-round.
I planted this bog bean last summer and it really has taken hold in the bog. It provides a nice dense area for the frogs to hid in. (See if you can find him) It does best in 1-3 inches of water but will grow out from the margin and float over the pond. I didn't plant mine. I just anchored it underwater with the rocks around the edge of the bog and it grew from there. I already had flowers but didn't get the picture....busy time of the year. They were pink clusters that opened up to white, star-shaped blooms. They were about 5 inches taller that the leaves. They are suppose to be 2-6 inches above the leaves which gives the plant an overall height of 6-9 inches.
Bog bean has a highly fragrant scent and will bloom late May through July but the flowers don't last long. It needs full sun to partial shade and is hardy is Zones 2-7. It can freeze solid in the winter as long as you leave it in the water and will come back early the next spring. You can divide it after it has flowered by cutting off the rootstock.
Its a nice plant for your shallow water along the edge of the pond.
You can purchase bog bean, buck bean, Menyanthes trifoliata here.
I've been wanting to write something on this subject for some time now. Finally, I have a bit of time to address the subject of water depth for bog plants and marginal plants. Simply put, bog plants like their "feet" wet. Translation....roots and soil moist at all times. When the plants are first planted, this is especially important. Many of the bog plants will take deeper water as they mature and spread. But, when you first receive your bog plants, you will have better success if you place them where there is no more than a half inch or less of water above the soil line. Think of the marshes and swampy areas, you have passed while traveling down the road. These natural reservoirs, fill during the rainy season and will dry out during dry spells. The plants adjust to the varying water depth and grow and spread rapidly. If you have a question on a particular plant, just ask and we will be happy to help you plant and grow beautiful marginal and bog plants.
Bog Bean is a great addition to your pond. Its hardy in zones 2-7 which makes it a popular pond plant for pond owners. The leaves are fairly large, three-lobed that are markedly veined. Flower buds are pink clusters that open to a white, star-shaped bloom that is highly fragrant. It will stand high above the leaves, some 2-6 inches taller, giving the height of the plant 6-9 inches tall and can grow out 5 feet over the water surface. Whats nice about the bog plant is even when its not flowering, the leaves will remain green and attractive in your pond. It will bloom late May through July.
Plant it in full sun to part shade in 1-3 inches of water amd it will spread over the water surface. It can freeze solid in the winter as long as you keep it in the water. You would want to divide the plant by dividing the rootstock in the summer once it is done flowering. Its a great plant to plant close to edges of your pond, against rocks or waterfall, as it grows high enough to hid edges of your pond.
Buy bog bean,hardy pond plant,flowering bog plant, here.
Bog Bean (Menyanthes trifoliata)
A favorite hardy bog plant is the Bog Bean. It has large, three leaves that are veined. The foliage forms a creeping rhizome that floats out onto the water. The flowers are pink clusters that open to white, star-shaped blooms that are highly fragrant. The flowers will appear late April through July whereas the foliage will appear lush throughout the whole season. The flower stalks will stand 2-6 inches high above the leaves which are about 3 inches high. It does best if planted in 1 - 3 inches of water and will then creep out onto your water surface, extending 3' to 5'. It prefers full sun to part shade and is hardy in zones 2-7 and should be kept in the water throughout the winter even if it freezes.
Buy Bog Bean, Hardy Bog Plant, here.
