Chrysalis Patch

Well, I guess I did a good job of protecting those caterpillars during the cold snap a few weeks ago. We found SEVEN chrysalises in and around our milkweed patch last weekend!

And this little guy was getting ready to spin his chrysalis...

Valentine's Day at the Florida Museum of Natural History

I think this might be my version of a perfect Valentine's Day with my husband- an Italian dinner accompanied by live music followed by a moonlit stroll through the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History! This is one of my all time favorite butterfly gardens. They are hosting a special Valentine's Day event that sounds like so much fun. You can make your reservation here. Here's a glimpse of what you will see...

Photo by fuzzcat on Flickr

Photo by greaterrumbrage on Flickr

Photo by spakattacks on Flickr

Overlook Milkweed

We went to Disney last weekend - my husband ran the Disney Marathon and had an awesome run! As we took a walk around the Wilderness Lodge one evening, we came upon this scenic overlook.

As I looked out over the hotel grounds, I noticed some orange flowers right in front of me: milkweed! What a nice surprise!

That's my son enjoying the view too! Have you ever come across milkweed in any unexpected places?

Change & the New Year

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."


My poor blog has been neglected over the past few months and I have missed it! I have been working on a new business with my husband and trying to tend to my garden here and there. Things have finally settled down and I can return to writing here on Milkweed Gardens (I hope!).

I hope the New Year has started off well for you... my milkweed patch is full of caterpillars but there is a cold front approaching. I plan to cover the patch later today to try and protect those caterpillars. They are still young and need another 1-2 weeks to mature. I noticed several tiny eggs under the milkweed leaves as well.

Happy New Year to all of my gardening friends! I hope your garden is full of butterflies!

We like birds too!

We are participating in Audubon's Birding the Net! What a fun game!

A Very Cute Chrysalis Kit

One of my favorite nurseries, Palmer's Garden and Goods, is having a huge sale today and tomorrow (25-60% ALL items). I stopped by this afternoon and saw this display next to the cash register...

Despite the fact that we have raised many butterflies, I felt inclined to purchase the pink and orange chrysalis container on the right. Besides we have never raised a Gold Rim Swallowtail butterfly and it was 25% off with the sale - see how easily I talked myself into this purchase? :-) They also have Monarch chrysalises available. I'll let you know how our newest addition progresses!

Chrysalis kits are $7.99 plus 25% off until tomorrow and come with complete instructions.

PBK & The Very Hungry Caterpillar

For you Pottery Barn Kids, butterfly loving moms out there, check this out...

Oh my goodness - I am just dying over this! I love how this theme is available for a boy or a girl. The terrarium next to the boy's bed is darling too - I see this little project in my children's craft future. You can caterpillarize the bathroom too...

That is an amazing green free standing tub!

Okay, I know this didn't have a whole lot to do with  gardening but I enjoy butterfly shopping almost as much! :-)

Hope you are having a great weekend!