Butterflies and Bees: A Garden Makeover to Celebrate Charlotte

July 4th forever changed my community and my life.

In the early morning hours, a historic flood swept along the Guadalupe River, here in South Central Texas, taking with it homes and lives. One of the 138 souls lost that day was my dear friend Charlotte.

To honor her memory, I’ll be transforming this garden Mother Nature started out at my family’s farm in Camp Verde. I’m hoping by Spring it’ll be a haven for Texas Hill Country pollinators like butterflies and bees.

The BEFORE Picture

It’s a well known thing that all makeovers need a terrible BEFORE picture.

So, Ta-da!

First gardening task on the list, untangle the thorny, briar bush from the little oak tree on the left.

The barbs on that thing are scary pointed and likely need the skilled attention of my husband : )

Next will be determining the flow of the rock border so it’s easy to mow around, and raking out the weeds.

Flowers for Butterflies and Bees

There are five, yellow and orange flowering Lantana bushes already thriving in Charlotte’s Garden!

They’re hardy plants in our area. I feel fairly confident I can keep them comfortable.

As far as the plants to be added, I’ll use native, non-invasive species that are deer- and drought-resistant. There is some Verbena and Milkweed on the property. I’ll transplant those into the garden.

Additionally, I’ll scout out Cactus and those water spout looking plants to add visual interest.

Please share any ideas you have below in the comments.

And as I was taking these before pictures a butterfly floated into the frame.

I’d like to apologize to this first official pollinator to visit the garden, for capturing such an unflattering photo. I promise to do better.

Ciao for now, y’all.

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