re:butterflies
- Subject: re:butterflies
- From: S* C*
- Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 09:51:31 -0600
Alan mentioned attracting butterflies to the garden, and I don't
know if this will work in Arizona or not, but in Illinois the Monarchs are
crazy about the bloodflower milkweed. In principle, it's an annual asclepias
with a single very tall stem and very orange flowers with some yellow in the
center. They bloom late here in zone 5b, in the late fall and past the
first few light frosts.
Despite being annual, once you have them, you have them for good.
Even if you move! I started them from a handful of seed gathered (with
permission) at the Indianapolis Zoo, which has wonderful plantings
throughout, BTW. I grew them in a container. When I moved several years
later, we moved some starts of various plants from that garden and the seed
must have been in the soil!
The buddleias are the other big draws, especially for painted ladies
here, but there are many many perennials that attract butterflies and lots
of great books about butterfly gardening. Drop by one of the "butterfly
house" conservatories and check out their book section.
Enjoy.
Susan and David in Urbana, Illinois
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