September Blooms and Buckeyes

Most of my gardens are winding down--fall is approaching and all that is left are a few remaining annuals and a select group of fall blooming perennials...  The Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), however, is showing its colors, pollinating the last of my flowers and laying eggs on the annual Snapdragons- that I purposely plant as their host plant.

The Common Buckeye is found throughout most of the United State with a northern migration during the late spring-early summer.  It doesn't overwinter in Missouri though, and it will soon begin its journey back to the southern states. It's easily identified by the large eyespots on the upper side of the wings (probably a defense mechanism to scare away predators).  The underside of the hindwing is tan during the summer and more of a rose color in the fall.  The female lays eggs on host plant leaves (including plants from the snapdragon, plantain and acanthus families).  For some reason this year, I have more Buckeye butterflies than usual--which is fine by me..  The caterpillars are finishing off the last of the Snapdragons in my garden and the butterflies are adding some much needed color to my fading flowers...

 Allium tuberosum 'Garlic Chives'

I really don't like this herb most of the year...  It's similar to the wild onions that I'm in a constant battle with-- it reseeds and spreads everywhere.  Now, however, I remember why I keep it... It booms in September! 

Caryoteris 'Blue Mist Spirea'

What a great shrub!  I purchased this flowering bush two years ago at the Master Gardener plant sale for $2--What a good investment...  It looks great throughout the summer, then explodes with blueish blooms in the fall.   

Zinnia  'Enchantress Pink'

In July my Zinnias were at their peak of  "prettiness," now in September they're looking a little worn.  In fact, in the above photo I had to wait until this Buckeye landed on a bloom that would make a presentable picture...  I should pull them up, but I'll let them stay as long as the bees and butterflies remain....

Buddleja davidii 'Nanho Purple'

Great-dependable perennial--it's bloomed all summer and keeps going...

Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'

This is supposedly an annual in my gardening zone (6)--it's a perennial in zones 8-10, but it must be happy where it's planted in my garden because it returns each year...  It also blooms all summer and seems to appear a deeper shade of blue/purple in the fall.

Tagetes patula 'Marigolds'

I was always told to plant Marigolds in the vegetable garden to deter pests. 

Is that just a gardening myth? 

I really don't care, I like how they look scattered among the herbs and vegetables...

Visit NatureFootstep for addional photography of winged wildlife. 

For more photos of September blooms, visit the sites: May Dreams Gardens, Fishtail Cottage and Tootsie Time...