A few years ago I saw this strange insect in my garden. It had the colors of a bee and it was the size of a large bee. The flight pattern was all wrong for a bee though. It hovered around my flowers like a hummingbird and it looked like it had a proboscis like a butterfly. Not long after, I took the master gardener courses and we studied entomology (the study of insects). I soon discovered my strange insect is called a hummingbird moth. So, I was wrong, it's not a hummingbird, bee or butterfly. It's a moth! First sighting of the hummingbird moth was today on the 'Blue Hill' Salvia.
Hummingbird moths enjoy feeding from the nectar of phlox, bee balm, honeysuckle and verbena and a variety of other perennials.
If you don't have a peony you are missing out! A full sun plant that has the most beautiful blooms for about two weeks in May. I know, I know, two weeks is not a long bloom period. Snap your fingers and it's over...however these blooms are worth it. I have enough so that I can enjoy them in the garden and also cut some and bring them inside. They are a superb cut flower and they are a real show stopper by themselves or with other cut flowers. The foliage is a glossy dark green and it stays that way all summer long. Invest in some peonies. You won't regret it.
A show stopper peony!
A look down the garden path...
A rose with no name. I planted this years ago and have no idea what it's called.
A few years ago I saw this strange insect in my garden. It had the colors of a bee and it was the size of a large bee. The flight pattern was all wrong for a bee though. It hovered around my flowers like a hummingbird and it looked like it had a proboscis like a butterfly. Not long after, I took the master gardener courses and we studied entomology (the study of insects). I soon discovered my strange insect is called a hummingbird moth. So, I was wrong, it's not a hummingbird, bee or butterfly. It's a moth! First sighting of the hummingbird moth was today on the 'Blue Hill' Salvia. 
Hummingbird moths enjoy feeding from the nectar of phlox, bee balm, honeysuckle and verbena and a variety of other perennials.
If you don't have a peony you are missing out! A full sun plant that has the most beautiful blooms for about two weeks in May. I know, I know, two weeks is not a long bloom period. Snap your fingers and it's over...however these blooms are worth it. I have enough so that I can enjoy them in the garden and also cut some and bring them inside. They are a superb cut flower and they are a real show stopper by themselves or with other cut flowers. The foliage is a glossy dark green and it stays that way all summer long. Invest in some peonies. You won't regret it.
A show stopper peony!
A look down the garden path...
A rose with no name. I planted this years ago and have no idea what it's called. 
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