My Great-Aunt Mimi has a passion for butterflies and has an absolutely divine butterfly garden. I went to visit Mimi over the weekend and there seemed to be hundreds of butterflies out that day, flitting from flower to flower in the hot sunshine.
Mimi has chosen the plants in her garden with care. She prefers native plants that support the butterfly population.
One such butterfly/plant duo is the spicebush and the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Spicebush swallowtail butterfly larvae eat the leaves of the spicebush, so where you find one, you may very well find the other. There was a large crowd of the inky-black butterflies in Mimi’s garden when I was there.
Mimi and I spent the whole day in the garden. We weeded, we watered, and we talked, but mainly we relaxed and enjoyed the spectacle of all the beautiful butterflies who come to stay every year in my wonderful Aunt Mimi’s garden.
Capital Giraffe - adventures of a washingtonian 
5 responses to “Float Like a Butterfly”
Hi, Bernice. Here is my third attempt to leave a note.
First your great Aunt Mimi is quite a character and very charming. Love her sun hat. And what a great garden she has and the spicebush swallowtail butterflies certainly seem to love it there!
It appears that the spicebush swallowtail butterfly can be found in about half of the US, from Florida to Maine and from the east Coast to East Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois. The butterflies are so pretty and plentiful here in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. I’m going to keep a close eye out for more of these delightful creatures!
Love,
Dad
LikeLike
Hi Dad! Your comments went to the spam folder! I think maybe because of the link you originally included (I deleted it in case that was a problem). I am so sorry for the frustration and thank you for your persistence! I always love to get your comments 🙂
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you see one of these beautiful butterflies soon, Dad.
I love you.
LikeLike
Hi Bernice!
WE. LOVE. BUTTERFLIES!!!!!!! Thank you for this post!
We haven’t seen this kind of butterfly before, but we HAVE been seeing some amazing butterflies around our house – and some really interesting and unusual dragonflies (some with white bodies…. we are looking in to those soon).
Your Great-Aunt Mimi looks like she is very special. Say hi to her for us!
Love,
E and A (and their Mommy)
LikeLike
I love butterflies too 🙂 And I love my great-aunt Mimi so much. I will be sure to tell her you said hello.
Your dragonflies sound so interesting! Let me know if you figure out what kind they are.
Love to you all. XOXO
LikeLike
I love butterflies too, E&A. 🙂
LikeLike