The Making of Swallowtail Garden

In 2017, my dad and I built a terraced butterfly garden on the slope beside our house. The erosion was a problem in that area, and we wanted to find a solution that would be aesthetically pleasing as well as practical. Here is a sketch of how I envisioned the finished garden:

My initial sketch for Swallowtail Garden

After a lot of research and planning, we started.

My dad and me preparing to build the third terrace.

My dad built a retaining wall using stones from our property.

After building the terraces, we added topsoil. I transplanted the amaryllis back to their original spot after dividing the bulbs.

Transplanting the amaryllis in their new bed.

Jingle Bell transplanting herself in a new bed.

Jingle Bell always finds ways of “helping.”

Adding landscaping cloth before the mulch.

We also added landscaping cloth to prevent weeds. Here is the finished garden a few months later:

The first summer (notice the rain in the valley)

My garden has been such a delight and inspiration over the years. Thanks to my dad, what started out as another sketch on scrap paper has become a vibrant reality. I’m constantly impressed by the way he learns new skills with ease. But more than that, I’m grateful that he chooses to do these wild ideas with me.