“Autumn is the hush before winter.” ~ French Proverb

On October 12, 2015, beneath leaves shrouded in Autumnal colors and skies of blue, garden club members spent several hours tending to the Brookside Butterfly Garden. Fences needed mending, bushes needed trimming and the remaining flowers needed thinning.

At this time of year, long, narrow tufts of purple butterfly bush and plumes of fluffy yellow goldenrod dominate the garden. These plants are a source of nectar for migrating butterflies and bees, encouraging them to stay in the area and pollinate other plants. Clusters of deep pink starry flowers of the Autumn Joy sedum plant dot the garden border along with willowy, purple New England Asters. These early autumn blooming plants provide food late in the season to keep honey bees nurtured through the winter months.

Seed heads of Black-eyed Susan, phlox, bergamot and cone flowers were left on their stalks to allow sustainability of the garden and food for wintering birds. American Goldfinches, just shy of molting into their drab winter plumage, can easily be spotted feeding on the spike-like seeds of the purple cone flowers. Sturdy stems of the bergamot plant are the perfect perch for Black-capped Chickadees as the remaining seeds are individually extracted from each seed head. The tiny black seeds of the Black Eyed Susan, often scattered on the ground, will attract larger songbirds like cardinals, nuthatches and sparrows along with other seed-eating ground feeders. The old stems of Joe Pye Weed, left in place, provide winter cover for beneficial insects. Wrens, titmice, and juncos not only enjoy the seeds from these plants, but use the fluff of spent flowers to line their nests for warmth. Goldenrod provides seeds for Pine Siskens and serves as harborage for overwintering insects such as spiders and beetles.

While garden club members tended to their tasks, their chatter mimicked the endless chirping and tweeting of the birds at the nearby feeder. As our day ended, we were delighted to glimpse a hawk passing swiftly overhead.

With the waning daylight, the Butterfly Garden in it’s Autumn apparel, looked muted and welcoming for all who may visit, whether bird, butterfly, bumble bee or nature lover!

Photos courtesy of Janet Gremli – Click image to enlarge