summer garden

Early Summer In A Maine Garden

Bleeding Heart

Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly on Dianthus (“pinks”).

Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele).

They are the most common of the large fritillary butterfly species.

These butterflies feed on a variety of flowers including thistle, milkweed, dogbane, and verbena (as well as the dianthus seen here).

The host plant for their caterpillars is the spring violet (commonly found throughout our yard).

Butterflies have compound eyes with many lenses.

Blue Flag Iris(Iris versicolor)

This species of iris grows in the shallows of Caesar Pond. It also seems to be thriving in our garden where we planted it into a heavy, rich soil.

As long a muskrats don’t forage in our garden, it will be safe!

Augochlora Green Metallic Bee (I think) on False Spirea.

These bees carry huge pollen loads on their hind legs.

Red Rose in all its glory.

Close-up of center of red rose in the process of unfurling.

Rose in early morning perfection.

Rose opened in the afternoon.

Rugosa Rose.

Rugosa Rose central pistils and curlycue stamen.

Silver-Spotted Skipper Butterfly on petunia.

This is one of 3 tulips that has survived the ravages of the local white-tailed deer population found in our area.

Deer absolutely love tulips, and have decimated all but those bulbs found in my front garden.

I hope they never find this one because it is quite stunning.

This stunning yellow rose graced our garden for several days. I enjoy the light pink blush on its outermost petals. It also has a lovely scent.

Spoon Flower with immature pistils and stamen.

Spoon Flower maturing.

Spoon Flower with yellow topped stamen & glistening pistils.

THE END

• All photos were taken with a Canon Digital Rebel, 350 D.

• A 70-200 mm lens was used for whole flower shots, and a 20mm extension tube was attached for the close-up shots.