Monarchs in the garden

5 years ago

I don’t grow milkweed or butterfly bush because I have outdoor cats that will go after the butterflies. I don’t want them to get eaten. :-)

Anyway, I have noticed more monarchs this year, especially on my coneflowers. Is this a replacement plant, or one of many they visit?

debra

Featured Answer

porkchop_z5b_MI

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

What joyous photos!

Yep, I've noticed what Fori said -- the adults flit around, landing here and there on different types of flowers.

"I don’t grow milkweed or butterfly bush because I have outdoor cats that will go after the butterflies. I don’t want them to get eaten."

But if they have nothing to reproduce on, they won't exist anyway. If you don't grow milkweed and your neighbors don't, and their neighbors don't....you get the picture. We need to do all we can to support population growth -- your cats aren't going to get every single butterfly in your yard. You know -- sort of like that old saying better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Fori
5 years ago
What nice color coordination! :)

They only need the milkweed for the larvae. The adults are happy visiting all the "butterfly" type plants. You can't stop them!
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked Fori
Related Professionals
Oneonta Landscape Contractors · Plattsburgh Landscape Contractors · Effingham Home Builders · Temecula Home Builders · La Grande Home Builders · Waterloo Landscape Contractors · Cornwall Landscape Contractors · Bloomington Home Additions · Anderson Home Additions · Champaign Home Additions · Sierra Vista Home Additions · Longview Home Additions · Lubbock Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Amherstburg Landscape Contractors · Toronto Tile and Stone Contractors
djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
5 years ago
I like your thinking mxk3, I think I will get milkweed next year. :-)

debra
GardenHo_MI_Z5
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
So pretty!

I don’t go out much due to the gardens being such a wet jungle..had more rain today. Skeeters are unbearable!

I did get these two pics today on my trek to take the garbage cans to the road.

Hawk on the power lines across the street.. wish I could have gotten closer. I’ve never seen this before... hopefully he’s scoping out my moles😊

I don’t know why pics are so big?
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked GardenHo_MI_Z5
steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years ago
I planted some milkweed this spring. No sign of the Monarchs (yet). But the Tiger Swallowtails are swarming our coneflowers.
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
5 years ago
Gardenho and steve—-thanks for sharing your photos. :-)

debra
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
5 years ago
There are hundreds if not thousands of plants that can provide nectar. But, as said, having host plants is also important, in the overall big picture.
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL