The plant itself is great. It is a green stalk with green leaves that grows straight, and they have beautiful red and yellow small flowers. I liked them when I saw them sprout up, but then came the caterpillars.
Boy did they come. They totally crushed the first set of plants on one side of the garden, literally left them looking like sticks, then the made their way to the other side of the garden for the other set of Milkweed we had planted. By the time they had taken those down to sticks the other ones had started to re-sprout. So.....they made their way back.
Then they disappear.
The plants start growing back nice and healthy and you aren't sure where the caterpillars are. Well.....maybe
We made the most amazing discovery yesterday. We found a crysilis. It was beautiful. A gorgeous green with a beautiful gold shimmery line and gold dots. It looked like there was some amazing gem inside.
Today as we had the picnic my 3 year old daughter planned we discovered that they butterfly had just hatched. It was holding onto it's crysilis, which I read they do for an hour after the hatch to allow their wings can harden so they can fly.
Then he took off.
I'm sure we will see him in the garden as we have seen many of them hanging out and drinking the nectar from the Milkweed, or chasing my 3 year old around the yard as they have been doing.
Seeing the circle of life for this creature has been fascinating.
One of my favorite things we have planted has been Butterfly (Milkweed).
Give them a shot, you will be happy with the results.
Till Next Blog......
