Butterfly Garden
 

I wanted to share how happy I am to have a butterfly garden. It started by planting a couple of milk weed plants from the local nursery.
It's amazingly fun to watch the caterpillars grow and then search for their secret hiding places of their gorgeous lime green with golden highlighted chrysalis,
And then it's truly spectacular to closely watch a newly hatched butterfly learn that it has wings!
At first it still thinks it's a caterpillar and it tries to climb and eat green leaves like it used to.
It's so great when they discover their wings and take their first flights.
Best wishes to all!

Almost 13 years NED from stage 3c ! Joy Joy Joy

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

Monarch chrysalis

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

Awww, this is absolutely Beautiful!!! I LOVE buttterflies!! I had the most stunning Butterfly bush that bloomed and bloomed...sadly, I cut it back early Spring...it didn't survive...:(...
Yet, Butterflies mean so much to me...New Life, Freedom, Perseverence...Strength...
Thank you for sharing...I have a beautiful picture I took from last year, I'll try to upload it..:)

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

Wow, your chrysalis photo is great. I just bought my first house, and eventually I would love to have a yard that attracts butterflies. You've inspired me!

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

I love butterfly gardens too! I have one small milkweed plant but am researching on what other plants to put into the butterfly garden I am creating. Gardening is probably the most therapeutic practice I engage in.

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

Oh I LOVE this! Butterflies mean so much to me ... back in September 2009, I got a butterfly house and chrysalides for a homeschool project for my son. The package arrived, the cocoons/chrysalides were attached and the instructions said they wouldn't hatch for at least a week or so.

A day or so after that, our beloved wire fox terrier, Clarence, was clearly at the end of his life, we had been caring for him and watching him slowly and then quickly deteriorate. We had him for 13 years, from puppyhood. My husband was heartbroken, so I took Clarence to the vet (along with my son, he was still too young to leave alone at home) and stayed with Clarence through the end. The vet said his heart was so tired and he was ready to go Home.

We came home ... and ALL the butterflies had hatched!!! I am crying as I write this. I know it was a sign that Clarence had transitioned and was Home and out of pain. Whenever I think of him now, he is running joyfully and smiling, chasing butterflies!

Thanks so much for posting this!

Carol Ann

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

I'm so happy to have found this page. I am a huge Butterfly Gal myself. LOVE to watch their full lifecycle happening in my own backyard. Monarchs are especially meaningful to me, as they've been given to me as a "sign" over and over again on this dance with breast cancer. In fact, After I was diagnosed and went through the biopsies and all of that, the surgeon I was being assigned to left me with absolutely NO confidence. I wanted to get to a specialist that worked in my insurance system, but in another group, and got the help of an advocate to make the move. Turns out I needed to be in the "Monarch Medical Group" in order to see Dr. C, and I've never regretted taking the extra time to get to see here. :) If I could figure out how to upload them, I'd post a couple photos from my backyard....

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

Ok you ladies have me thinking about butterflies and gardening, love it. Carol Ann we also have wire Fox terriers and love the breed.

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

They are such adorable, spirited, and yes, somewhat stubborn dogs, aren't they?!

My husband is from Parma, Idaho! :)

CA

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

So perfect! Butterflies are not so easy to snap a picture. Lucky Margaret! And thank all you ladies. Now I'm thinking of lovely butterfly gardens, funny fox terriers (I had one & love them all), and laying in a fragrant flower filled garden, looking up at the curiously shaped clouds passing by in the pale blue sky! Thanks for a pleasant moment! Wishing you all well!

Re: Butterfly Garden
 

Right back at ya, Hear2day, and everyone else on this thread!

Carol Ann