Hi Ben, "Where can I purchase seeds of old fashion tall (2-3 feet) single zinnias for my pollinator garden?" I don't know of a seed source of old fashioned tall single zinnias, However there are some zinnias that have a lot of singles in the mix. One of them is Park's Whirligigs. Their strain contains a relatively high percentage of singles. And yet they are nice looking zinnias because of their unusual color combinations. Another rather odd thing you could do would be to purchase some seeds of Zowie Yellow Flame zinnias and grow them this next year. They are an F1 hybrid, so their seeds are relatively expensive, but they produce lots of pollen, so they are great for butterflies. And, then save some seeds from those Zowies next Fall and those won't cost you anything and, although many of them won't be exactly like the Zowies, many of them will be zinnias that the butterflies will love. And, then, save seeds from the best of those for butterflies, and you will be well on your way to breeding your very own strain of butterfly-friendly zinnias. I breed zinnias as a hobby and, although I am not breeding any single zinnias, many of my zinnias have the pollen florets that butterflies (and hummingbirds and many species of bees) relish as nectar sources, and my zinnia garden had lots of butterflies this year. Including, somewhat to my surprise, a lot of Monarchs this year. Last year I had a lot of butterflies, but very few Monarchs, and I was worried for them. This year many more Monarchs showed up, although I think they were just migrating through. But my zinnia garden served as a good refueling stop for them. ZM

I have red zinnia ('Dreamland Red') and french marigold ('Hello Yellow'). I have also ordered some butterfly weed 'Gay Butterflies'. judystiller@ctc.net Judy

Susan, I took some seeds from last year's Ipomoea alba and scattered them in spots where I'd like for them to grow. They self sowed last year, so I figure they might actually come up this easily. I bought some red verbena to go in the metal gizmo that a hummingbird feeder hangs from. Butterflies really like verbena, or anything in that family, for that matter, like lantana, porterweed, etc. I'm making a lot of changes in my garden, and I accidentally dug up the Brazilian button, which is too bad, because it's a good nectar plant for butterflies, especially the smaller ones. If I can find a plant for sale, or if some volunteer here, I'll put it in a place where it can thrive. My Salvia guaraniticas, including 'Black & Blue' have returned and are growing vigorously, as is the 'Hot Lips' salvia, which has colonized a bit, surprised me there. I've ordered some tropical milkweed from Almost Eden, and I added some rose red colored pentas to the order, which are annuals here, never return. But they're so popular with butterflies and hummers both, I buy them every year. I love 'Lady in Red' - if I can find it somewhere, I'll definitely buy some and put it in front of other plants, maybe my new Aristolochia tomentosas. I've been working outside all week long, and I've made a new bed for two of the three A. tomentosas. I'll plant the other one on the edge of the woods, also, I dug up a volunteer A. tomentosa that's come up too far from the fence around the garden to be useful. If it takes, I'll plant it on the woods edge, too. I also dug up a volunteer of my own hybrid passionvine to plant in a bed up front. The flowers look like 'Incense' the female parent, but it's got the vigor of P. incarnata the male parent, and gulf frits like to lay eggs on the leaves like P. incarnata. I can't think of any other annuals I've planted - I mostly go for perennials, but there are some that are great for butterflies. I just thought about Mexican sunflowers - if I can find a place for them, I'll plant those for sure, even though they're a bit of trouble to start from seed. Mexican sunflowers are probably the best flowers to use for making pictures of butterflies, being so big and providing that platform for even the biggest ones. Speaking of making pictures, I've ordered a new camera, this one with a good zoom, so I can, hopefully, make some good hummingbird pictures. Here's hoping it's as good as advertised! Sherry

UPDATE! Spotted caterpillar again. He has at least tripled in size and is, without question, a Monarch! He is devouring the Butterfly Weed (???) like there's no tomorrow! Very happy! Anything I should try to do for him vis a vis winter? Bronze Fennel and a shot at parsley, roger that Susan. APOLOGIES Miss Sherry! I live off Highland Road in between Lee Dr. and Staring Ln. I won't say the neighborhood, but since I have a .75+ acre lot you'll know it isn't either of the 'Woods' (Woodgate or Woodstone) and may very well be able to narrow it down to 2-3 neighborhoods. You'd be wrong (probably), though, as my neighborhood is exceptionally small and old, built some before and most after WWII (my home is pre-war). Well, maybe you'd be right... lol. I'm relatively well insulated from traffic, which is indeed brutal. My Butterfly Weed is Asclepias curassavica and seems to absolutely be a host for Monarchs. My Lantane is Anne Marie, and while I bought small specimens, the will eventually reach 2x2 feets in size. Is that large end or small? I am VERY INTERESTED in gertting Passiflora incarnata & caerulea but shall wait for Spring. Do you know of any reputable nurseries from which to buy them online, if my local nurseries fail me? I use, in oder of preference: Louisiana Nursery (Perkins); Cleggs (Siegen) and Lowes (also Siegen, in that pooly accessible Siegen Marketmplace just south of I-10). Occassionally Ace's Hardware on Highland where Kenilworth dead ends into Highland. They have loads of seed packets which nurseries, oddly, don't seem to carry much of. While I'm thinking of it, I've had terrible success in growing from seeds. A packet of 50 may yield, if they yield ANY, less than half a dozen! It's frustrating. I've used those minature greenhouses where you plant each seed(s) in a pre-made tiny pot and cover with transparent plastic, tiny seed-starter pots that I've treated in a number of different ways. I have set them on the ground (brick) outdoors, in planter saucers together in groups, and all of the abive on a wrought iron patio furniture table. I've used Miracle Grow to water them and rainwater (we collect it in a large drum). I've kept them constantly moist, downright wet and dry-ish. Any ideas? Back to Passionvines. I was in love wih them before I knew they had any use for butterflies whatsoever. (i really believ at this point, as trifling a cause for Him as it sounds, that God is aiding me in my endeavors - far too many coincidences. another example i have not 1 but 2 fully mature Tulip Trees > likely b/c it doesn't get near as much sun as the one close to my primary butterfly garden> Why He has chosen to help me in this endeavor....mysterious ways, etc). I wish He'd turn some of His grace toward my Gingko which seems to be having problems. We have lost 1 already. The kiwi are in the ground (finally) but I'm worried that one may not be able to get he full sun when it begins to need it (3 years!!). Easily remedied by removing 2 small/medium tallow trees if it proves necessary. I have never liked these volunteer weed-trees as I call them. They grow everywhere and so fast! In mid-Summer I must make a circuit of the yards to tear up foot high tallow trees that have hidden along fence lines, etc. or in what we call 'Jeremy's Garden.' If you're curious at to what that is, ask and I'll explain - sort of a half-project begun years ago. Well, Thanks Again All! Jeremy