Honey bee

Green Spring Gardens, 11.14.2010 © Cindy Dyer. All rights reserved.

Family Jewels Milkweed Tree (Asclepias physocarpa)

This species of milkweed is also known as White Butterfly Weed and Swan Plant. Native to Jamaica and South America, this perennial herb can grow to over six feet and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a food source for caterpillars and is a food and habitat plant for the Monarch Butterfly. The small flowers are creamy white and orchid-like, followed by translucent, inflated 2″ green balls covered with soft bristles that are the resulting seedpods. It is a fast-growing tender perennial and grows best in Zones 7-10. Photographed at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia

© Cindy Dyer. All rights reserved.

Katydid

This might be a Scudder’s Bush Katydid (it looks a lot like the one here), except this one has more rust coloring. At the very least, I know it’s a Katydid and not a grasshopper (as I originally thought). I photographed it at Green Spring Gardens late this afternoon. This is one of only two shots I could get before he was on to me and off to his next meal.

© Cindy Dyer. All rights reserved.