Monarch and others in my garden

“May I a small house and large garden have;
And a few friends,
And many books, both true.”
― Abraham Cowley

Click on picture to see 
larger

It has been a magical few days out in the summer ravaged garden.  Doing my usual morning visit, pulling weeds, moving pots and other messy leftovers to a better hiding place, I stopped, looked up and there were butterflies coming in in a frenzy of feeding.  Amazing!
I rushed in the house, dirty boots and all, to find my camera.  So afraid they would be gone before I got back.

Not to worry, these amazing creatures and numerous bees had come to stay the day, and told their friends.

I had just finished a post about the nonblooming butterfly weed plants.  They have plenty of buds, just not opening.  Too bad.  The Monarchs drifted in and chose to feed on what was there.

There were so many other species fluttering, flitting, lighting, landing.... I struggled to get the camera ready.  

Then, just settled down to capture what pictures I could as long as they were there.

“The master of the garden is the one who waters it, trims the branches, plants the seeds, and pulls the weeds. If you merely stroll through the garden, you are but an acolyte.”
―

 Sometimes, I catch myself with a
sore jaw from just grinning at the pure
joy of it!

 

 

Roadside wildflower puzzle solved

This had not bloomed before we left for trip

We were driving home from visiting family in Illinois when I noticed an orange flash of color on the roadside.  A lot of orange in spots.  I am not acquainted with very many orange wildflowers and checked my wildflower book with no answer.

Today, hiding out from humidity and heat of my garden, I searched the Web for the lovely, delicate orange blossoms that smelled like lilacs.  There it was! The question was worded as mine was.
 
http://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/new-to-me-wildflower.13802/

The second question was about roadside flower colored orange.


https://www.google.com/search?q=milkweed+photos&rlz=1T4ACAW_en___US378&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gUHSUfeiF4LW9QTh4YDQCA&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=612#imgrc=X4lDvT3W2Yf5ZM%3A

Each state has many, many web sites of their wildflowers.

I hope this will encourage you to search the Web to look for your mystery flower.  Sometimes, it takes many tries of different ways to word the search line.

More to the story

I have read enough to understand the importance of the "right" milkweed for your area.  This is a very good site for information to encourage you to find out the native milkweed in your area.  I love the common milkweed and before I order seeds or plants, I will check our local wildflower society to be sure it is native.
 http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/can-milkweed-be-bad-for-monarchs/#comments

I said early in my blogging that gardeners need to be good stewards of wild life and flowers they raise.
It is difficult to avoid that pretty plant at the garden store, but just because it is for sale doesn't mean it is good for our wild life.

Monarchs and Milkweed

A good gardener always plants 3 seeds - one for the bugs, one for the weather and one for himself. ~ Leo Aikma

I started this a while back.  I have read numerous articles of the decline of the monarch.  We were fortunate enough a few times to have the migration fly over our place. Clouds of them.  They usually fly through on their migration 20 or so miles to the east of us. I will never have the thrill of being in Mexico when they arrive, but I can hope they will change their pattern of flight one more time..............

Since writing, I have planted the milkweed the Monarch requires.  I hope it survives the summer and draws in the Monarchs.

 I did see caterpillars on this one. They didn't stay very long. I have looked for eggs on it and there are none. There is a picture of the egg in the article on the link.

Remember to click on a picture to see enlarged

Monarch butterflies have been seen in the area and I have joined the gardener brigade to plant a weed for them.  Monarchs NEED the MILKWEED.  This is a very informative link to Monarch information.
There are lots of articles and information out there, but just in case my readers haven't paid attention or missed that issue, I am doing all I can to promote care of the Monarch and forget our aversion to "weeds".

Be sure to click on this link as it has beautiful photos of the monarch.
http://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/columnists/mariana-greene/20140416-first-monarchs-spotted-in-dallas-area.ece

Now, "for the rest of the story.

compared to gardeners, I think it is generally agreed that others understand very little about anything of consequence. ~ Henery Mitchell

Too many people feel the need to waste water on lawns that have to be mowed, fertilized, mowed, water...............................  Think of what a waste!!!  We have water rationing practically all year now.  My yard is au naturel and may be looked down upon by strollers or drivers through our neighborhood. I don't really care what others think of no lawn, I am doing my little bit to keep flowers and soon Milkweed alive.


We have had Monarchs visiting every year and even though there have never been many at one time, they visit my zinnias, lantana, roses and the occasional (weed/wildflower).  I haven't taken the time to actually see what weeds they visit.  It seems to be most attracted to daisy like blossoms. Oh, yes, and the butterfly weed.

This morning, I was checking what to water.  The heat is coming on again.  I don't know what to do at this point but water.
I was so thrilled and excited to see monarch caterpillars on this bush!  I have 2 now.  I forgot about watering, drought, heat... and went inside and got my Bloggie.

Now I know the leaves aren't falling off. They are being eaten!

I can only hope one will deem the bush good enough to lay her eggs.
There have been other butterflies on this bush.  I am not a fan of the red and yellow blossoms, but will learn to love them.

Caterpillars can fly, if they just lighten up.” ― Scott J. Simmerman Ph.D.

 “The caterpillar does all the work, but the butterfly gets all the publicity.”
― George Carlin

“My thoughts are like butterflies. They are beautiful, but they fly away.”
― Anonymous