Jim the Gardener
@jim-the-gardener.bsky.social
Veteran, Botanist, Aquarist & Amature Lepidopterist who loves Cactus, Daylilies, Hoyas and Midwest Flora & Fauna. Eco-based Nihilist Catastrophist. #KillYourLawn #PlantNatives #FightDepressionWithPlants #NoKings #Bloomscrolling #ListenToRatatat
This is hands down, the most beautiful wild #Ratibita columnifera I've ever seen. The #petal shape is large and perfect, the #ombre is insane from red to yellow and the bright yellow #margins are nuts. I took some seeds and scattered some seeds. #native #bloomscroll #conservation #wildflower #mendel
October 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
This is hands down, the most beautiful wild #Ratibita columnifera I've ever seen. The #petal shape is large and perfect, the #ombre is insane from red to yellow and the bright yellow #margins are nuts. I took some seeds and scattered some seeds. #native #bloomscroll #conservation #wildflower #mendel
Hey, it's been awhile. I guess seasonal depression has been encroaching into fall for me this year. Kind of a bummer. Here's a #cactus.
#Copiapoa #hypogaea
First time #blooming for me.
A relatively #spineless cactus, this is one of my favorites. The flower looks like Hypericum - St. John's Wort.
#Copiapoa #hypogaea
First time #blooming for me.
A relatively #spineless cactus, this is one of my favorites. The flower looks like Hypericum - St. John's Wort.
October 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Hey, it's been awhile. I guess seasonal depression has been encroaching into fall for me this year. Kind of a bummer. Here's a #cactus.
#Copiapoa #hypogaea
First time #blooming for me.
A relatively #spineless cactus, this is one of my favorites. The flower looks like Hypericum - St. John's Wort.
#Copiapoa #hypogaea
First time #blooming for me.
A relatively #spineless cactus, this is one of my favorites. The flower looks like Hypericum - St. John's Wort.
#Stagmomantis carolina
Carolina #Mantis - Male & Female
My job is rough on me mentally sometimes, but it's finding #friends like these little beauties that give me a serotonin boost.
#ThoughtsAndPrayingMantis #NativeBeneficialInsect #AndOhMyGodDoIPray #cranberries
Carolina #Mantis - Male & Female
My job is rough on me mentally sometimes, but it's finding #friends like these little beauties that give me a serotonin boost.
#ThoughtsAndPrayingMantis #NativeBeneficialInsect #AndOhMyGodDoIPray #cranberries
August 22, 2025 at 1:29 PM
#Stagmomantis carolina
Carolina #Mantis - Male & Female
My job is rough on me mentally sometimes, but it's finding #friends like these little beauties that give me a serotonin boost.
#ThoughtsAndPrayingMantis #NativeBeneficialInsect #AndOhMyGodDoIPray #cranberries
Carolina #Mantis - Male & Female
My job is rough on me mentally sometimes, but it's finding #friends like these little beauties that give me a serotonin boost.
#ThoughtsAndPrayingMantis #NativeBeneficialInsect #AndOhMyGodDoIPray #cranberries
My #Astrophytum #caput-medusae has finally bloomed and it's magnificent, just wanted to share. Have a great day and stay cool. ✌️
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #PsychRockSavesTheSoul #SuckItMrCrabs
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #PsychRockSavesTheSoul #SuckItMrCrabs
August 18, 2025 at 11:52 PM
My #Astrophytum #caput-medusae has finally bloomed and it's magnificent, just wanted to share. Have a great day and stay cool. ✌️
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #PsychRockSavesTheSoul #SuckItMrCrabs
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #PsychRockSavesTheSoul #SuckItMrCrabs
Hey everyone, it's been awhile ✌️ Mental health check, everyone okay? Can I share with you some lovely #lepidoptera?
Limenitis arthemis ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Papilio glaucus ~ Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Libytheana carinenta ~ American Snout
Asterocampa celtis ~ Hackberry Emperor
🤘
Limenitis arthemis ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Papilio glaucus ~ Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Libytheana carinenta ~ American Snout
Asterocampa celtis ~ Hackberry Emperor
🤘
August 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Hey everyone, it's been awhile ✌️ Mental health check, everyone okay? Can I share with you some lovely #lepidoptera?
Limenitis arthemis ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Papilio glaucus ~ Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Libytheana carinenta ~ American Snout
Asterocampa celtis ~ Hackberry Emperor
🤘
Limenitis arthemis ~ Red-spotted Admiral
Papilio glaucus ~ Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Libytheana carinenta ~ American Snout
Asterocampa celtis ~ Hackberry Emperor
🤘
I made a very beautiful friend today in the #garden. She was shy until she knew I was a friend and happily climbed up for a photo op. She was placed back on her daylily so she could go back to hunting
#Paraphidippus aurantius
Golden #JumpingSpider
#ArthropodLove #IBeatArachnophobia #Spodermen
#Paraphidippus aurantius
Golden #JumpingSpider
#ArthropodLove #IBeatArachnophobia #Spodermen
July 16, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I made a very beautiful friend today in the #garden. She was shy until she knew I was a friend and happily climbed up for a photo op. She was placed back on her daylily so she could go back to hunting
#Paraphidippus aurantius
Golden #JumpingSpider
#ArthropodLove #IBeatArachnophobia #Spodermen
#Paraphidippus aurantius
Golden #JumpingSpider
#ArthropodLove #IBeatArachnophobia #Spodermen
Double prizes of #urushiol.
#Toxicodendron #radicans - Eastern #PoisonIvy & Toxicodendron radicans subsp. #negundo - #Midwestern Poison Ivy (First time seeing this.)
☠️🤌Handle with care and wash your hands even if you're immune like myself.🤌☠️
Urushiol smells so good btw, sorry if you're allergic.
#Toxicodendron #radicans - Eastern #PoisonIvy & Toxicodendron radicans subsp. #negundo - #Midwestern Poison Ivy (First time seeing this.)
☠️🤌Handle with care and wash your hands even if you're immune like myself.🤌☠️
Urushiol smells so good btw, sorry if you're allergic.
July 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Double prizes of #urushiol.
#Toxicodendron #radicans - Eastern #PoisonIvy & Toxicodendron radicans subsp. #negundo - #Midwestern Poison Ivy (First time seeing this.)
☠️🤌Handle with care and wash your hands even if you're immune like myself.🤌☠️
Urushiol smells so good btw, sorry if you're allergic.
#Toxicodendron #radicans - Eastern #PoisonIvy & Toxicodendron radicans subsp. #negundo - #Midwestern Poison Ivy (First time seeing this.)
☠️🤌Handle with care and wash your hands even if you're immune like myself.🤌☠️
Urushiol smells so good btw, sorry if you're allergic.
#Agapostemon virescens
Bicolored Striped Sweat #Bee
This beautiful female was having the best morning. The official bee of #Toronto, is #1 for me.
Tied with B. griseocollis, this is the most common bee in my yard and I'm all about it.
#PlantForPollinators #BloomScroll #PollenPants
Bicolored Striped Sweat #Bee
This beautiful female was having the best morning. The official bee of #Toronto, is #1 for me.
Tied with B. griseocollis, this is the most common bee in my yard and I'm all about it.
#PlantForPollinators #BloomScroll #PollenPants
July 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
#Agapostemon virescens
Bicolored Striped Sweat #Bee
This beautiful female was having the best morning. The official bee of #Toronto, is #1 for me.
Tied with B. griseocollis, this is the most common bee in my yard and I'm all about it.
#PlantForPollinators #BloomScroll #PollenPants
Bicolored Striped Sweat #Bee
This beautiful female was having the best morning. The official bee of #Toronto, is #1 for me.
Tied with B. griseocollis, this is the most common bee in my yard and I'm all about it.
#PlantForPollinators #BloomScroll #PollenPants
Three turbs and a gymno #blooming for today.
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Turbinicarpus klinkerianus
#Turbinicarpus alonsoi
#Gymnocalycium bruchii
#cactus #cactusflower #bloomscroll #IndoorCultivated #FuckPoachers #ListenToDanielDonato #StaySane #breathe 💜✌️💜
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Turbinicarpus klinkerianus
#Turbinicarpus alonsoi
#Gymnocalycium bruchii
#cactus #cactusflower #bloomscroll #IndoorCultivated #FuckPoachers #ListenToDanielDonato #StaySane #breathe 💜✌️💜
July 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Three turbs and a gymno #blooming for today.
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Turbinicarpus klinkerianus
#Turbinicarpus alonsoi
#Gymnocalycium bruchii
#cactus #cactusflower #bloomscroll #IndoorCultivated #FuckPoachers #ListenToDanielDonato #StaySane #breathe 💜✌️💜
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Turbinicarpus klinkerianus
#Turbinicarpus alonsoi
#Gymnocalycium bruchii
#cactus #cactusflower #bloomscroll #IndoorCultivated #FuckPoachers #ListenToDanielDonato #StaySane #breathe 💜✌️💜
I understand the irony of preaching to plant natives while showing a bee on a daylily, but we plant an excessive amount of natives to offset our side business. Also, there's sooooo many small bee species who love the daylily pollen. Like, go bananas over it. Like this Sweat Bee I'm still IDing.
June 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I understand the irony of preaching to plant natives while showing a bee on a daylily, but we plant an excessive amount of natives to offset our side business. Also, there's sooooo many small bee species who love the daylily pollen. Like, go bananas over it. Like this Sweat Bee I'm still IDing.
Out hybridizing #Daylilies yesterday and we found a primo #bee.
#Mellisodes communis
Common #Longhorn Bee
Top 3 #native bees for me right here. This beautiful lady was resting from the rain and was kind enough to let me photograph her.
"It's so fluffy I want to die."
#PlantNatives #NoPesticides
#Mellisodes communis
Common #Longhorn Bee
Top 3 #native bees for me right here. This beautiful lady was resting from the rain and was kind enough to let me photograph her.
"It's so fluffy I want to die."
#PlantNatives #NoPesticides
June 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Out hybridizing #Daylilies yesterday and we found a primo #bee.
#Mellisodes communis
Common #Longhorn Bee
Top 3 #native bees for me right here. This beautiful lady was resting from the rain and was kind enough to let me photograph her.
"It's so fluffy I want to die."
#PlantNatives #NoPesticides
#Mellisodes communis
Common #Longhorn Bee
Top 3 #native bees for me right here. This beautiful lady was resting from the rain and was kind enough to let me photograph her.
"It's so fluffy I want to die."
#PlantNatives #NoPesticides
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
#Chauliognathus marginatus
New boot goofin! This beetle is sporting some #HauteCouture #milkweed pollinia booties.
Too cute to handle, and a pretty solid #pollinator. A perfect gentleman to take home to your parents. 👍
#NoPesticides #PlantNatives #BeetlesIsMoneysToo
#Chauliognathus marginatus
New boot goofin! This beetle is sporting some #HauteCouture #milkweed pollinia booties.
Too cute to handle, and a pretty solid #pollinator. A perfect gentleman to take home to your parents. 👍
#NoPesticides #PlantNatives #BeetlesIsMoneysToo
June 27, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
#Chauliognathus marginatus
New boot goofin! This beetle is sporting some #HauteCouture #milkweed pollinia booties.
Too cute to handle, and a pretty solid #pollinator. A perfect gentleman to take home to your parents. 👍
#NoPesticides #PlantNatives #BeetlesIsMoneysToo
#Chauliognathus marginatus
New boot goofin! This beetle is sporting some #HauteCouture #milkweed pollinia booties.
Too cute to handle, and a pretty solid #pollinator. A perfect gentleman to take home to your parents. 👍
#NoPesticides #PlantNatives #BeetlesIsMoneysToo
I went to the annual Mulhall's #cactus & #succulent show this Saturday and won 1st place. I'm elated and honored.
I brought in my #Lophophora #jourdaniana potted up in a 6" Italian terra cotta pot that sadly #bloomed a day late.
#seedgrown #fuckpoachers #listentoratatat #bloomscroll #cacti
I brought in my #Lophophora #jourdaniana potted up in a 6" Italian terra cotta pot that sadly #bloomed a day late.
#seedgrown #fuckpoachers #listentoratatat #bloomscroll #cacti
June 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I went to the annual Mulhall's #cactus & #succulent show this Saturday and won 1st place. I'm elated and honored.
I brought in my #Lophophora #jourdaniana potted up in a 6" Italian terra cotta pot that sadly #bloomed a day late.
#seedgrown #fuckpoachers #listentoratatat #bloomscroll #cacti
I brought in my #Lophophora #jourdaniana potted up in a 6" Italian terra cotta pot that sadly #bloomed a day late.
#seedgrown #fuckpoachers #listentoratatat #bloomscroll #cacti
I'm happy that so many #native #solitarybees utilize my #daylilies. I love seeing this while I'm out pollinating.
*Note: I see #bees frequent the #hemerocallis with fragrance over non #fragrant cv.*
Augochlora pura
Pure Green Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum gemmatum
[No common name]
#bloomscroll
*Note: I see #bees frequent the #hemerocallis with fragrance over non #fragrant cv.*
Augochlora pura
Pure Green Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum gemmatum
[No common name]
#bloomscroll
June 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I'm happy that so many #native #solitarybees utilize my #daylilies. I love seeing this while I'm out pollinating.
*Note: I see #bees frequent the #hemerocallis with fragrance over non #fragrant cv.*
Augochlora pura
Pure Green Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum gemmatum
[No common name]
#bloomscroll
*Note: I see #bees frequent the #hemerocallis with fragrance over non #fragrant cv.*
Augochlora pura
Pure Green Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum gemmatum
[No common name]
#bloomscroll
Wilke's Mining #Bee
Andrena wikella
Found this incredible bee a little bit ago while on a job. I watched it clean itself for a minute (cutest thing) and then it took off.
#entomology #beepictures #plantnatives #protectnativebees #sofluffy
Andrena wikella
Found this incredible bee a little bit ago while on a job. I watched it clean itself for a minute (cutest thing) and then it took off.
#entomology #beepictures #plantnatives #protectnativebees #sofluffy
June 17, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Wilke's Mining #Bee
Andrena wikella
Found this incredible bee a little bit ago while on a job. I watched it clean itself for a minute (cutest thing) and then it took off.
#entomology #beepictures #plantnatives #protectnativebees #sofluffy
Andrena wikella
Found this incredible bee a little bit ago while on a job. I watched it clean itself for a minute (cutest thing) and then it took off.
#entomology #beepictures #plantnatives #protectnativebees #sofluffy
#Lucidota atra
Black #Firefly
Easily one of my favorite insects in the #coleoptera family. I'm glad to have seen many in my yard this year, probably about 7 now. Let's me know I'm doin somethin right.
#PlantNatives #KillYourLawn #NoPesticides #NoKings #InsectPhotography
Black #Firefly
Easily one of my favorite insects in the #coleoptera family. I'm glad to have seen many in my yard this year, probably about 7 now. Let's me know I'm doin somethin right.
#PlantNatives #KillYourLawn #NoPesticides #NoKings #InsectPhotography
June 15, 2025 at 2:59 PM
#Lucidota atra
Black #Firefly
Easily one of my favorite insects in the #coleoptera family. I'm glad to have seen many in my yard this year, probably about 7 now. Let's me know I'm doin somethin right.
#PlantNatives #KillYourLawn #NoPesticides #NoKings #InsectPhotography
Black #Firefly
Easily one of my favorite insects in the #coleoptera family. I'm glad to have seen many in my yard this year, probably about 7 now. Let's me know I'm doin somethin right.
#PlantNatives #KillYourLawn #NoPesticides #NoKings #InsectPhotography
Incredibly proud to hang this in our yard. (It will be actually hung up soon.)
We are now officially a certified #pollinator habitat in the state of NE.
We are now officially a certified #pollinator habitat in the state of NE.
June 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Incredibly proud to hang this in our yard. (It will be actually hung up soon.)
We are now officially a certified #pollinator habitat in the state of NE.
We are now officially a certified #pollinator habitat in the state of NE.
#Agapostemon virescens - Bicolored Striped Sweat #Bee pollinating ther ever loving heck out of a #Lactuca pulchella - Common Blue Lettuce flower.
My first time seeing a Lactuca in person and it was super cute, but the real star is this bee absolutely dusted in pollen adorned with #pollen pouches.
My first time seeing a Lactuca in person and it was super cute, but the real star is this bee absolutely dusted in pollen adorned with #pollen pouches.
June 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
#Agapostemon virescens - Bicolored Striped Sweat #Bee pollinating ther ever loving heck out of a #Lactuca pulchella - Common Blue Lettuce flower.
My first time seeing a Lactuca in person and it was super cute, but the real star is this bee absolutely dusted in pollen adorned with #pollen pouches.
My first time seeing a Lactuca in person and it was super cute, but the real star is this bee absolutely dusted in pollen adorned with #pollen pouches.
#Bombus griseocollis
Brown-belted #Bumble #Bee
In the garden earlier I saw a queen Brown-belt and a squad of her drones. She was polishing up the #Monarda while her drones did work on the #Baptisia.
Note: Queen doesn't have the brown belt. The male drones on the other hand do have the brown belt.
Brown-belted #Bumble #Bee
In the garden earlier I saw a queen Brown-belt and a squad of her drones. She was polishing up the #Monarda while her drones did work on the #Baptisia.
Note: Queen doesn't have the brown belt. The male drones on the other hand do have the brown belt.
June 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
#Lepidoptera report 🚨
#Polites themistocles, Tawny-edged Skipper
100% polite. 200% cute. I almost missed this guy, being so dainty at about 1".
Skippers are rad. They look like little shuttle spaceships.
#lepidoptera #butterfly #ListenToTheDonkeys
#Polites themistocles, Tawny-edged Skipper
100% polite. 200% cute. I almost missed this guy, being so dainty at about 1".
Skippers are rad. They look like little shuttle spaceships.
#lepidoptera #butterfly #ListenToTheDonkeys
June 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
#Lepidoptera report 🚨
#Polites themistocles, Tawny-edged Skipper
100% polite. 200% cute. I almost missed this guy, being so dainty at about 1".
Skippers are rad. They look like little shuttle spaceships.
#lepidoptera #butterfly #ListenToTheDonkeys
#Polites themistocles, Tawny-edged Skipper
100% polite. 200% cute. I almost missed this guy, being so dainty at about 1".
Skippers are rad. They look like little shuttle spaceships.
#lepidoptera #butterfly #ListenToTheDonkeys
#Espargyreus clarus - Silver-spotted #Skipper
Saw a couple on the job today. This one was sunning on a bench and getting harrased by another male flying around. Always a favorite.
#AmateurLepidopterist #MidwestNative #PlantNatives #SkippersAreHellaFluffy
Saw a couple on the job today. This one was sunning on a bench and getting harrased by another male flying around. Always a favorite.
#AmateurLepidopterist #MidwestNative #PlantNatives #SkippersAreHellaFluffy
June 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
#Espargyreus clarus - Silver-spotted #Skipper
Saw a couple on the job today. This one was sunning on a bench and getting harrased by another male flying around. Always a favorite.
#AmateurLepidopterist #MidwestNative #PlantNatives #SkippersAreHellaFluffy
Saw a couple on the job today. This one was sunning on a bench and getting harrased by another male flying around. Always a favorite.
#AmateurLepidopterist #MidwestNative #PlantNatives #SkippersAreHellaFluffy
G'mornin' Before I'm off to work for the day, here's one of my wife's favorites in the house #blooming today. #Mammillaria schumannii globosa. I really need to buy 2 more for outcrossing genetics. Have a good Monday ✌️
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #seedgrown #indoorcultivated
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #seedgrown #indoorcultivated
June 2, 2025 at 12:10 PM
G'mornin' Before I'm off to work for the day, here's one of my wife's favorites in the house #blooming today. #Mammillaria schumannii globosa. I really need to buy 2 more for outcrossing genetics. Have a good Monday ✌️
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #seedgrown #indoorcultivated
#bloomscroll #cactus #cactusflower #seedgrown #indoorcultivated
I found a #fasciated banana at Aldi. It was a first for me and I instantly bought the bunch, just out of curiosity.
Being as nanas are #berries, I wasn't sure how the flesh would look, and it did not disappoint. Double prizes, just as I had hoped!
#BananaForScale #WhoSheTellsYouNotToWorryAbout
Being as nanas are #berries, I wasn't sure how the flesh would look, and it did not disappoint. Double prizes, just as I had hoped!
#BananaForScale #WhoSheTellsYouNotToWorryAbout
May 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I found a #fasciated banana at Aldi. It was a first for me and I instantly bought the bunch, just out of curiosity.
Being as nanas are #berries, I wasn't sure how the flesh would look, and it did not disappoint. Double prizes, just as I had hoped!
#BananaForScale #WhoSheTellsYouNotToWorryAbout
Being as nanas are #berries, I wasn't sure how the flesh would look, and it did not disappoint. Double prizes, just as I had hoped!
#BananaForScale #WhoSheTellsYouNotToWorryAbout
#Bee time on the Tradescantia!
I love a good buzzing #Bombus in the morning.
#bloomscroll #plantnatives #pollinatorgarden #killyourlawn
I love a good buzzing #Bombus in the morning.
#bloomscroll #plantnatives #pollinatorgarden #killyourlawn
May 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
#Bee time on the Tradescantia!
I love a good buzzing #Bombus in the morning.
#bloomscroll #plantnatives #pollinatorgarden #killyourlawn
I love a good buzzing #Bombus in the morning.
#bloomscroll #plantnatives #pollinatorgarden #killyourlawn
#Toxicodendron radicans - Eastern Poison Ivy entwined with #Rosa blanda - Prairie Rose.
I found a good sized patch of Prairie Rose lining a ditch between jobs. It smelled amazing and the Ivy being wrapped within the roses was very beautiful. Thought of @toxicoradica.bsky.social when I took the pic.
I found a good sized patch of Prairie Rose lining a ditch between jobs. It smelled amazing and the Ivy being wrapped within the roses was very beautiful. Thought of @toxicoradica.bsky.social when I took the pic.
May 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
#Toxicodendron radicans - Eastern Poison Ivy entwined with #Rosa blanda - Prairie Rose.
I found a good sized patch of Prairie Rose lining a ditch between jobs. It smelled amazing and the Ivy being wrapped within the roses was very beautiful. Thought of @toxicoradica.bsky.social when I took the pic.
I found a good sized patch of Prairie Rose lining a ditch between jobs. It smelled amazing and the Ivy being wrapped within the roses was very beautiful. Thought of @toxicoradica.bsky.social when I took the pic.