Green and Black's

The Birds & the Bees

Alice E, CT

The '&' for me is about celebrating the everyday miracles of my garden - a place I have designed to be a haven for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and goldfinches. I grow about 50 different annuals and perennials - chosen to provide a continuous array of tempting color from spring through fall, for all my winged visitors. My efforts are rewarded when hummingbirds hover so close to my window that I can hear their little chirps, or when I see a pair of goldfinches, perched, swaying, on the zinnia blooms, as they pull out the petals and seeds. When I started my garden, honeybees were a rare sight; now, when I see them swarming my sedum, I am happy that my compost-enriched, chemical- free oasis is providing a safe home for these miraculous little creatures. For the monarchs, I offer their offspring's favorite food, swamp milkweed. Each summer the cycle repeats, & on, & on. Truly a rhythm of life to celebrate.