For the Monarchs ... and more

Bright pink zinnia

 

To assist the Monarch Butterfly, whose population has been in decline over the years largely due to habitat destruction, I've planted a variety of native milkweed plants, host plant for this species.  The milkweed plants are thriving in their sunny spot edging our backyard gardens. Monarch butterflies won't migrate through our area until early fall, but, in the meantime, the flowering milkweeds are attracting lots of pollinators, including wasps, bees, and flies, who seem to love their clusters of tiny flowers.  I also planted zinnias which are a magnet for honey bees.  Zinnias are so easy to grow from seed, and though they are annuals and will need to be planted again the following year, they are definitely a good addition to the gardens since the bees love them and they are pretty to look at, too!



Pink Swamp Milkweed



White Swamp Milkweed & Wasps