Most of my asters get far too tall, and flop over….
… does that happen to yours too?
Of course, if I staked them early enough, before the ground gets too hard and dry, I suppose I could avoid it!
Still, the butterflies don’t seem to mind…
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By the way, despite some cold nights I spotted the (possibly) last hummingbird hawk-moth of the year on October 13th!
Words and Herbs 
Beautiful pictures. Yes, my asters flop. Come to think of it many things flop–I never get around to staking. Maybe an early New Year’s Resolution?
I say that every year! LOL! I did actually manage to stake my peonies this year, but forgot about the asters!
I wish the butterflies would stay longer but they are long gone despite the asters beckoning…
Ours are very few and far between now. Just too cool for them…
All the asters on the property are wild…why would I stake them? 😉
Although I’m always tempted by the pink ones at the nursery this time of year, I haven’t given in. Yet.
The pink one is a real attraction in our autumn garden, but the blues and lilacs do look more natural. They all flop though!
You have made my day with those photos of the beautiful moth! Methinks I have avoided growing tall flowers all my life ’cause ones does not get around to staking [does one really want to ‘meddle’?] and thus gets an untidy looking plot?
Glad you liked my butterflies Eha!
The second photo with the butterfly close up is my favorite! Just ethereal!
Well thanks EastofEden! I noticed that the blue flower highlights the spot of blue on the butterfly wings…
Beautiful photos! I’d take the asters, staked or not, just to have those butterflies fluttering about.
I’ve convinced myself they look better “wild” anyway! 😀
Unsere Astern stehen noch gut. Wir hatten auch kaum Wind oder Starkregen, die sie hätten kippen können. Schöne Falter :).
Meine stehen vielleicht ungünstig… Wind, Regen und Hitze im August haben alle nicht geholfen!
They do look so pretty naturally tall and too heavy to hold up their heads but when they die back go for a walk with 2 or 4 branches and some twine add them into this area and as the grow next year they will LOVE THE SUPPORT YOU gave them 🙂
Loved the Butterfly/Moth as well 🙂
Eunice
That’s a good idea – a natural structure put there permanently, then I don’t have to remember in the spring. Thanks Eunice! 😀
🙂 I do this for lots of things and then they rot and I make now ones 🙂 I am too busy to remember everything so the least I can do is do it when I remember 🙂
That is a great way of thinking – I’m so forgetful, so I must start doing the same!
🙂
Amazing seeing a hummingbird hawk moth so late in the season, I haven’t seen one for ages.
We had so many this year, and some other hawk-moths too, which I posted at the end of July if you’re interested. They loved the Centranthus ruber.
Your photos are SO beautiful Cathy! My asters aren’t floppy yet but it’s certainly through good luck rather than prior planning! The pink ones are especially pretty x
Thank you for your lovely comment!
Beautiful butterflies! I guess if they don’t mind the floppy asters, neither should you. 🙂
I think you’re probably right! 😀
is it a moth or butterfly has anyone identified that name?
Hi Sharon. The photos are of a peacock butterfly – the most common one around here! The moth I mentioned was the subject of an earlier post ( https://wordsandherbs.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/jupiters-beard/ ) and I also saw many other types of hawk-moth this summer.
Beautiful Cathy, just beautiful !! It’s been relatively mild here too. And I say to myself every year I must stake, but like you………:)
I think I need to put in some permanent supports, so I don’t need to worry about them! LOL!
Hey Cathy: Nice Asters–mine flop over too, especially with the rain…and you of course, are right; the butterflies don’t seem to mind.
I’ve got two short asters that don’t flop, and haven’t seen a single butterfly on them… there you go!
The butterflies know best… 😉
A peacock butterfly…I’ve never seen one. So lovely. Thank you for the new experience!
They are so pretty, and we see a lot of them here. Thanks for your comment!
Very beautiful pictures with the asters and butterflies, Cathy! The peacocks love asters in my garden too.
Thank you Elisabeth. Haven’t seen any the last couple of days though. Must be getting too cold.
The butterflies seem to have been late to the party this year
Hi Sue! These photos are about a week ago, when there were quite a few around – on the sedums too… the last few days I haven’t seen any more butterflies, so I think it’s turned too cold. We haven’t had a frost yet though!