The Freedom Park Bird and Butterfly Garden continues to go native!

(article from Candler Park Messenger, September, 2008)

We now have about 35 native plants in the garden. Several are in bloom now: Wild Senna, Joe Pye Weed, Cardinal Flowers and Black-eyed Susans. Others have finished blooming: St John’s Wort, Gayfeather, Celandine Poppies, Rosemary, and Crossvine.

We planted a butterfly area at one end of the garden in May, with species that could provide nectar for butterflies as well as food for caterpillars. Species include Butterfly Weed (not Butterfly Bush which is not a native), Bee Balm, Fennel and Parsley. We’ve had several butterflies visit, including Silver Spotted Skipper, Gulf Fritillary and Cabbage White, as well as Tiger and Black Swallowtails. Many of the latter’s caterpillars have feasted on the Fennel and Parsley.

The bluebird box was active again this year. The nesting pair then seemed to move across the street to Jim Satcher’s bluebird house-we’re hoping that next year there’ll be two families of bluebirds in the area! Also seen in the area of the Garden: a Chipping Sparrow, American Robins, House Finch, Northern Cardinals, those ole European Starlings, Northern Mockingbirds, Red-headed Woodpeckers and, overhead, two Red-tailed Hawks.

We hope to fill in the Garden with more plants this fall-hopefully with the help of Mary Lin students. If you’re interested in helping us with this planting or would be willing to sign up for an occasional workday, please contact Carol Vanderschaaf at