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Tropical
Ranch Botanical Gardens
1905 SW Ranch Trail
Stuart, FL. 34997
772-283-5565 |
January 19, 2008 brought Martin County
Master Gardener, James Shearer, to
Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens for a free-to-the-public
lecture on Butterflies. Almost 75 people gathered at the Gazebo to
listen to Shearer tell us all about Host plants and Nectar plants and
which is which. Wonderful displays of butterflies in all stages of life
were provided by Janelle Gearing and her daughter, Sarah
Rocheleau. Gearing and Rocheleau have been butterfly gardening for
years and brought beautiful photographs, cases holding butterflies in
various stages of life and sample plants which were a great hands-on
addition to Shearer's informative talk.
Click here for plant lists
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James Shearer explains the difference between host and larval plants. |
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Shearer indicates where butterflies like to make their chrysalis, |
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Janelle Gearing and daughter, Sarah Rocheleau, offer tips for inviting butterflies to a garden. |
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Monarch Butterflies waiting for freedom. |
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Part of our fascinated visitors. |
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Almost a dozen
butterflies were released after our lecture and the first one released
was by Aja Stratford. As you can see by the looks on the other
visitors faces, they were as delighted as Aja when her butterfly was
ready to go. |
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Shearer demonstrates his technique with a butterfly finger puppet.
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Aja Stratford allows her Monarch a moment to get its bearings as we watch.
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Sorry, Aja, I was not able to get your email address but please contact TRBG and we will forward your pics to you.
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Irene Conley raises her hand to encourage flight.
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Robert Storer shows that age and sex does not determine interest in butterflies.
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Plants were
raffled off, as is our custom after a lecture and below are our happy
plant winners. Congratulations Folks! |
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Jessica Hendrix takes her plumbago plant home.
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Edward Brock a happy raffle winner and gardener.
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Tancy Rapp picked this unusual Euphorbia plant.
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Roxy Linde, with a matching color penta.
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We had a wonderful
surprise on Saturday, just in time for our butterfly presentation, when
a regular visitor, local artist, Hope Bougourd, presented Diane
and Jim with three lovely paintings of butterflies and flowers.
Thank you so much Hope. Your paintings will be given a great home
and much admiration. |
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Two of the paintings presented to Diane Rexroad and Jim Haines. |
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We were told that Hope went home after our last plant sale and immediately started to paint. |
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List of Nectar
Plants to Attract Butterflies |
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| Jatropha |
Panama Rose |
Verbena |
Zinnias |
| Pentas |
Firespike |
Salvia |
Bush Daisy |
| Impatients |
Lantana |
Ixora |
Marble Leaf |
| Firebush |
Periwinkle |
Twinflower |
Wild Coffee |
| Cape Coral Honeysuckle |
Porterweed, red, purple, coral, blue |
| Golden Dewdrop |
Blue Butterfly Bush or Butterfly Bush |
| Scorpions Tail |
Simpson's Stopper |
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List of Host Plants for
Butterflies |
| Parsley |
Milkweed |
| Dill |
Cassia |
| Fennel |
Passion Vine |
| Butterfly Pea |
Dutchman's Pipe Vine |
| Climbing Aster |
Twin Flower |
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