The severe winter killed the ‘Black Knight’  butterfly bushes in the gardens. They had been growing in the garden for at least fifteen years!  

   Fortunately, this lavender butterfly bush came up on its own in one of the flower gardens.  It is amazing how quickly this plant grows from a tiny start to a six foot or more, bush.   This past week it started showing a lovely lavender color on the blossoms.        

   Although not as fragrant as the Black Knight, the smell is lovely but more than that it is a beacon for butterflies.