Monarch
Madness is upon those of us who are trying to increase the population of
Monarch butterflies here in the QC urban area. We do it because it helps the
annual migration. We do it because, like gardening in general, it’s a satisfying
hobby with tangible results.
Last year’s
harsh winter took out some of my Whorled milkweed. The taller varieties seem
okay. And, new this year, I’ve figured out that pruning the plants back early
can produce more compact plants with additional tender leaves that momma
Monarchs seem to look for. A sensible idea that needed reinforcing. Many thanks
to: questions@monarchbutterflygarden.net
for supplying this helpful hint and a nudge to go for it. My “weed” patch looks
so much better.
This year, I’ve
rescued eggs and caterpillars to raise and release. So has my neighbor. It
makes for pleasant days watching Monarchs flit around our gardens. The photo I’ve
added has three Monarchs going about their business. Difficult to see, but they
are there.
All this has
inspired me to dig out my “Letters to a Butterfly.” This began last year with my milkweed
expansion in an isolated area at Fairmount Library, Davenport. (They now have four
different kinds growing.) It turned into a letter writing project for visitors
to my booth for Art in the Garden held at the Quad-City Botanical Center, Rock Island.
Here are the
letters I collected:
Go forth and
flutter lovely Monarch.
Keep
flapping your wings! You’ll get there!
Oh! The
places you will go 😊
Watch out
for cars.
Though it
may seem hard, and there will be mistakes, you’ll get there!
Go,
Live,
Love,
Come back …
Someday
Lots of
encouraging thoughts for those hot summer days in the garden.
