Our Garden Sanctuary for Monarch Butterflies

In 2016 we planted a flat of milkweed in the intellectually deep heart way of wanting to help the butterflies. We watched a couple videos that outlined the plight of the lower numbers for monarchs. I watched the plants as they came up and had a first year growth but didn't bloom. I figured it must be a two year for first flowers.

Well 2017 has been amazing. Our milkweed plants flowered and they have taken over the garden. The milkweed is hosting successfully many monarchs now. We have since studied the way the butterflies tap our glistening pearl seeds under leaves on plants and then how these become mini catepillars. The Catepillars then need to feed on milkweed because it contains a hgh amount of terpenes which the birds don't like, so catepillars don't get eaten as much. Then they weave these magnificent larvae containers hanging from plants and are born as butterflies.

It has been magical seeing the garden explode with butterflies. Besides Monarchs we also have white cabbage butterflies which are gorgeous, smaller, white and scintillating. The occasional Swallowtail butterfly also graces the garden.

We're planning on collecting the seed pods and beginning many plant starts for spring, so if you would like to start your own monarch butterfly sanctuary I guarantee hours of happiness as they flit around your garden and bring joy.

We hope to continue to help spread the milkweed starts by growing our sanctuary to include other small areas, plots of land. If you would like to take part in our efforts, you can let us know. We're going to be creating a bigger program in the coming months so stay tuned.

Our efforts for the bees include the African Blue Basil Flowers, and for Hummingbirds we grow salvias.

Thanks for keeping up with our LPO SCENT GARDEN.
The POLLINATORS make the garden possible.

xo

Libby