A new year, a new desire

I have this itch to start a butterfly garden this year. 
Things are changing.  Me along with them.  I have never been much on growing flowering plants. 
I've been researching host and nectar plants and thinking about where to place the garden. 
I grow most of my plants in containers but I'm thinkin' I might just do some digging on the property.  I know the landlord won't mind.  I figure a lot of the flowers will produce seed so I'll just collect seed and cuttings if we ever have to move.  Sounds like a plan to me.
I will also have to get used to things chewing on my plants.  I'm kinda wierd that way.  I think it's a casualty of my line of work.  Unless a client does such gardening, they usually want anything eating their plants, gone.

                                  

I was browsing butterfly stuff and ran across this video.  It got me misty.  I love motivational stuff.

So, it has been freezing here in SW FL.  I've been holed up for two days with the flu.  I finally got out to check my plants.

 I didn't even bring my orchids in!  BAD GIRL!
 My pentas and my coleus took a little hit from the cold.


But they should recover

Or not.

The Orchid Thief

I'm reading The Orchid Theif.  Great book.  I think what makes it so good for me is I live here and the places they talk about, I'm familiar with. 
I will admit I have come by quite a few of my orchids from OP's stock but John Laroche...he takes the cake.  Susan's portrayal of John Laroche is so seedy, I find him likeable.  I haven't finished the book yet, so my opinion of him may change. 

         

The book got me so curious I'll have to schedule a trip to Naples next summer to see if it blooms again.
 rare ghost orchid