Marsh mallow is a native host plant especially beneficial to Painted Ladies. It's shade tolerant, likes moist soil, and has quite a spread (this one measures about 4' tall by 3' around). Its five-lobed leaves are a rich emerald green, and they're actually rather decorative. They are slow growing, though. Last year it was just a clump of low-lying leaves, and the year before it was barely distinguishable in the garden.

In bird phenology news, we spotted swarms of grackles picking across the lawns and through the wooded areas this morning.