In 2008 we had a couple of Linden trees (also called Tilia or Boxwood) that were flowering - there was a hatching of Red Admirils that year and when you stood beneath the tree you could actually HEAR the wings beating there were so many! There were thousands. I guess every 7 years or something there is a big brood.

Just peeking in from the daylily forum and saw your beautiful garden. I've been gardening for over twenty years and have yet to have anything look that beautiful. I was curious as to what kind of milkweed you are growing. The kind we see here in Pennsylvania that grows nearly everywhere will reseed for us, but mostly it sends up sprouts from roots that are often well away from the main plant. I prefer butterfly weed or an annual milkweed that I've been having trouble finding seed for but think I found what I'm looking for at the attached URL. We have noticed that the monarchs seem to like the annual milkweed the most, followed by butterfly weed, then the traditional one. Annual milkweed reseeds for us but germinates too late to be of much use to the monarchs. We find you have to start them indoors to get good summer bloom. Here is a link that might be useful: Butterfly Farm

Hello, Just wanted to butt in and say that I have plenty of seeds for the orange milkweed or butterflyweed, and I have lots of seed pods forming as we speak. I also have many volunteer baby Rue plants that could probably be mailed in a pinch. I haven't checked for seeds of the Rue, because I have so much already growing. Unfortunately, I have yet to see any Giant Swallowtail action, despite having every host plant it is known to frequent. I also have seeds for two other varieties of milkweed, A. incarnata (swamp) and one called "Red" by Seed Saver's Exchange. If you're looking for seeds, try the wintersowing forum--also an excellent way to get multiple plants started inexpensively and very reliably. I could certainly send you a care package to get you started. Let me know. Martha

New to the gardens this year, the butterfly house lets you get an up-close look at native butterflies as they transform from egg to caterpillar, from caterpillar to chrysalis, and finally from chrysalis to butterfly! Interpretive guides will help you find critters and answer your butterfly questions. In the Butterfly Garden Explore a garden of host plants for caterpillars and butterflies! This garden showcases plants to attract an amazing variety of butterflies to the home landscape. Chase a butterfly or two and pick up some ideas to try at home! In the Park Take a tour of the botanical gardens! Get friendly with live animals at the Caterpillar Petting Zoo! Make your own Butterfly & Caterpillar Crafts! Learn about Host Plants and Butterfly Gardening! Shop for Butterfly Host Plants and Garden Accents! Saturday, July 11 Festival Activities and Butterfly House open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 9:00 Class: Butterfly Photography Learn tips and tricks for capturing butterflies on film and practice new techniques in the gardens. **Class size is limited; to register for this class call 823-9966 or e-mail naturelens @ aol.com 10:00 Class: Butterfly Identification Get to know your backyard visitors. 11:30 Class: Gardening for Butterflies Learn to attract butterflies to your home landscape. 12:00 Butterfly & Caterpillar Costume Contests Dress for success in your best homemade butterfly or caterpillar costume and meet around the statue in the butterfly garden. Sunday, July 12 Festival Activities and Butterfly House open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 12:00 Butterfly & Caterpillar Costume Contests Dress for success in your best homemade butterfly or caterpillar costume and meet around the statue in the butterfly garden. 1:00 Class: Butterfly Identification Get to know your backyard visitors. 2:30 Class: Gardening for Butterflies Learn to attract butterflies to your home landscape.