Gardening In The Grove
by Bill Valuch

What a wonderful time to be a gardener on the Central Coast. Fall is truly my favorite time of the year. The days are getting shorter, the fog has receded, shadows are lengthening, and there is that unmistakable chill in the air that signals a change in the seasons.

I was reminded yesterday as Mother Nature presented an unmistakable sign, a Monarch butterfly fluttering through the garden. At first I thought it out of place but then realized that it is October and time for our yearly visitors to return. Fall brings color changes to many areas through landscapes, and the Monarchs remind us here that Fall has arrived as they show off their colors of orange and black winged display. Welcome back my little friends!

In the last column I said we would discuss drought tolerant plants but in honor of the returning Monarchs I thought it fitting that we talk about garden attractors that will do well in our area, beautify our gardens and provide the food source necessary for their existence.

The following is a list of my favorites that you might find helpful in attracting butterflies to your garden.

ANNUAL & PERENIALS:
Agapanthus, lily of the nile. Echinacea, cone flower. Gaillardia. Cosmos. Delphininium, various. Penstemon. Phlox, sweet William. Salvia, various. Rudbeckia, various. Sedum, various. Verbena. Alyssum. Lobelia. And last but not least Ascplepias, butterfly or milk weed.

SHRUBS & TREES:
Ceanothus, carmel creeper. Passiflora, various. Buddleja, butterfly bush. Lavandula, various. Abutilon, a P.G. favorite. Lonicera, honeysuckle. Rosemary. Rhododendron, various. Escallonia, various. Lantana, various. Citrus, various. Acer, maple. Aesculus, buckeye, various.

This is obviously a small list and I am sure that many of you have additional favorites so please take the time to email and share your successes with other gardeners in the grove. One last favorite is the Flowering Plum that is growing in our yard. Last year my neighbor Lee appeared with excitement and camera in hand to capture a grand display of several Monarchs taking in the nectar prior to their long journey. What a sight to behold, Mother Nature at her best.

I am in the process of bringing in many of the plants listed here to our shop. As you know our space is limited but I am going to commit a corner to our winged friends. It is truly a joy to watch these creatures glide through our gardens.

Please take the time to email me with your suggestions, tips and favorites so that we can begin sharing with all of the gardeners in the grove. Email your input to: misstrawicks@sbcglobal.net or submit them in writing and drop them by our shop at Miss Trawicks Garden Shop, 664 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, California, at the little red house.