Milkweed and Monarchs

 

 

 

 

 

Common milkweed is a pretty plant with fragrant globe shaped flowers on upright three foot tall stems. Famed as a plant that attracts butterflies, this wildflower is a must-have for the butterfly garden. It is the host for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch butterflies deposit their eggs on milkweed plants; once the caterpillars emerge, they eat the leaves. The larvae (caterpillars) of monarch butterflies eat ONLY milkweed. I have this "common milkweed" variety in my garden, but the "butterfly weed" variety of milkweed is shorter and has flat clusters of orange flowers and is also a great addition to a wildflower or butterfly garden.
Monarch populations are endangered, but we can all help by planting butterfly gardens that include a variety of milkweed and butterfly weed plants. To get your own milkweed seeds, go to www.livemonarch.com and plant a butterfly garden.

Wildflower Study

I took my camera with me when I went for a walk this evening after dinner. I didn't know if I would see anything I would want to photograph, but I stuck my little camera in my pocket just in case. I'm lucky to have a park adjacent to my neighborhood, complete with walking/biking trails, lots of playground equipment and a picnic shelter by a small lake. In a section of the park, next to a stand of trees, in a naturally low area, the parks people placed a native wildflower/prairie planting. At first glance it might just look like a lot of tall "weeds". And for the most part, other park goers ignore the tall grasses, hurrying past while listening to music, talking with friends or family and walking their dogs. But after getting up close and looking among the tall grasses I found any amazing variety of wildflowers! I was so glad I had my camera.

There are lots of cattails, wild asters and goldenrod.

And lots of vibrant colors and interesting spikey seed pods hiding among the tall grasses.

I was pleasantly surprised at all the wonderful native plants. I guess we all need to remember to try to take a little extra time to appreciate the beauty all around us!