Garden Bliss

It seems a bit strange to think that temperatures in the 80's would qualify as comfortable, but after the high 90's we've been having, last evening's reprieve was just that - comfortable - and I took advantage of it by spending some time getting my hands dirty. I had some herbs and vegetables to plant, and I also just enjoyed the quietness of my "weed" garden. You see, I'm one of those strange people who deliberately plant weeds. Even though I long for the lush gardens of Southern Living, I discovered the beauty and joy of having milkweed, and so I have LOTS of milkweed. Well, that and other field varieties of weeds that I have no idea what they are...but if it blooms, and is pretty, and attracts butterflies, then I let it live. (OK, there are some weeds in there that are obnoxious and territorial and no amount of pulling has defeated them. But I digress.) Ah, yes, the milkweed. It gets a bad rap I think. Yes, it spreads like dandelions, but it has a beautiful shape and produces the most wonderful, big, fragrant pink flowers that attract lots of interesting things...but mostly I love it for attracting Monarchs.

It has become an enduring tradition for my family to be the caretakers of each year's cycle of these beautiful creatures. They come later in the season, but in the meantime I get to watch the bumblebees bumble and other butterflies flutter. These were some of my guests last night...

When the red bugs show up then we know it's almost time. Milkweed is the nursery for Monarchs - it's the plant on which they lay their eggs and is the food source for their babies. We eagerly check the leaves each day in late summer looking for the tiny caterpillars to emerge and grow. Every year we raise a few in a bug box so we can watch the progression. Did you know that a Monarch chrysalis is marked with metallic gold dots? It's the coolest thing! And if you've never had the thrill of holding a newly hatched butterfly on your finger then you've missed out on something wonderful.

So, while it may not ever make the cover of House and Garden, my weed garden will continue on. Look for postings in September for this year's Monarch family. Meanwhile, if you want any milkweed seeds, just let me know...