My untidy garden and its inhabitants

[oscar]

There is a lot to be said for an untidy garden.
I don't like straight edges and neat lawns.
Part of my garden outside my lounge window, i let over-grow slightly to encourage more birds and wildlife. I let nettles grow to attract butterfly's and bees.
Today, we have stood outside watching the most amazing array of butterfly's.
Oscar the Persian does a very good impersonation of Mick Jagger, standing upright on his hind legs, clapping his front paws together trying to catch them.

[Odie]

I like a rough look, so I had beach rocks around 3 of the gardens out front and a step pathway.

I also planted 3 shrubs along with the tree that was there.

These shrubs have brought me many more beautiful birds to watch and feed every day.

I don't like a well maintained landscape look either, the more messier and natural look is much more inviting.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Odie

I like a rough look, so I had beach rocks around 3 of the gardens out front and a step pathway.

I also planted 3 shrubs along with the tree that was there.

These shrubs have brought me many more beautiful birds to watch and feed every day.

I don't like a well maintained landscape look either, the more messier and natural look is much more inviting.

It's certainly worth letting it overgrow a litle just for what breeds in your garden. I have noticed more birds nesting and different varieties of birds since letting the tree's overgrow and not being too hard on the pruning. The nettles look untidy but there were so many butterflies on them today, it was lovely.

[Odie]

Originally Posted by oscar

It's certainly worth letting it overgrow a litle just for what breeds in your garden. I have noticed more birds nesting and different varieties of birds since letting the tree's overgrow and not being too hard on the pruning. The nettles look untidy but there were so many butterflies on them today, it was lovely.

butterflies are such a welcoming site and there are so many flowers they love as well.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Odie

butterflies are such a welcoming site and there are so many flowers they love as well.

When i wanted Budlia, they were like rocking horse shyte. I could not get one anywhere. I tried garden centres, plant shops, everywhere, yet i'd see them growing out of guttering on office blocks or on cliff faces I finally sent off for them by mail order and now, they are not only the size of triffids but throw seeds everywhere that seem to germinate out of nothing. I can not complain now as the assortment of butterlies on them is astonishing.

[Rapunzel]

We have a pear tree at the bottom of our garden and when the pears are ripe the butterflies flock to feast on them. They are very beautiful to watch.

[Zapata]

I noticed that one of my "Byrds" was in the huge pot on the patio, which holds a large jasmine and some little shamrock plants in its shade. Poor thing needed to get out of the heat--a horrible 116 degrees ast 3 p.m.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by oscar

There is a lot to be said for an untidy garden.
I don't like straight edges and neat lawns.
Part of my garden outside my lounge window, i let over-grow slightly to encourage more birds and wildlife. I let nettles grow to attract butterfly's and bees.
Today, we have stood outside watching the most amazing array of butterfly's.
Oscar the Persian does a very good impersonation of Mick Jagger, standing upright on his hind legs, clapping his front paws together trying to catch them.

I get that. Im conflicted because Im anal. Id probably spend hours pruning it so it didnt look pruned. Actually Id measure all the stems and twigs then stagger the cuts so it looked natural but Id know different.
The tops would need to be perfectly cut though, same heighth.
Id measure and mark sticks then get a laser and line it up so it would be even on top. Then Id probably sand and paint all the trim on the windows but first Id clean the windows inside and out. And the screens. If I dripped paint on the grass Id surgically remove those tainted blades of grass and dispose of them in a finely creased paper bag then staple it shut. Id also probably measure the distance between the staples. First Id measure the length of the opening of the bag then Id halve it and put the first staple exactly in the middle then probably one inch in from each end with the other two staples.
Going for another cup of coffee, be right back.

[Odie]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

We have a pear tree at the bottom of our garden and when the pears are ripe the butterflies flock to feast on them. They are very beautiful to watch.

really, I would never never thought they would like pears, awesome!

[Odie]

Originally Posted by Zapata

I noticed that one of my "Byrds" was in the huge pot on the patio, which holds a large jasmine and some little shamrock plants in its shade. Poor thing needed to get out of the heat--a horrible 116 degrees ast 3 p.m.

they do need tons of shade.

I have a birdbath for them.....fill it fresh and cold twice a day....birds come from everywhere to drink and bath......wish more people would have them as there is no water for birds unless its rains.....