I went outside today to check on the newest batch of monarch caterpillars and had to laugh when I spotted this. It looked like a three caterpillar traffic jam. I just hope the birds don't find them!
The bloodflower is the main monarch magent in my garden right now. I had one on some swamp milkweed but that patch was so infested with aphids I moved the caterpillar to an aphid free clump. The US Botanic Gardens in DC has a really big grouping of bloodflower so I thought I'd give it a try. I am so glad I did!! It's 97 here today. I hope the caterpillars' chrysallises are air conditioned!
Amazing photograph. I am noticing more butterflies in my garden as of late, but nothing like what you are experiencing. What a nice home you've given them.
Thanks so much!!! It's been brutally dry here and I was thinking that maybe it was time to pull some of my annuals that need constant watering. A few minutes later I saw a female goldfinch perched on a zinnia stem eating the seeds from the flowerhead and remembered that my garden is my gift to the creatures that visit and their constant presence is a blessing. So I got out the hose!
It looks like a race to the finish line. It is a good thing this plant grows quickly. I keep looking for caterpillars on mine...not yet.
ReplyDeleteThe bloodflower is the main monarch magent in my garden right now. I had one on some swamp milkweed but that patch was so infested with aphids I moved the caterpillar to an aphid free clump. The US Botanic Gardens in DC has a really big grouping of bloodflower so I thought I'd give it a try. I am so glad I did!! It's 97 here today. I hope the caterpillars' chrysallises are air conditioned!
ReplyDeleteAmazing photograph. I am noticing more butterflies in my garden as of late, but nothing like what you are experiencing. What a nice home you've given them.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!!! It's been brutally dry here and I was thinking that maybe it was time to pull some of my annuals that need constant watering. A few minutes later I saw a female goldfinch perched on a zinnia stem eating the seeds from the flowerhead and remembered that my garden is my gift to the creatures that visit and their constant presence is a blessing. So I got out the hose!
ReplyDelete