Of all the plants attracting Butterflies right now Joe Pye weed, tops, due to
at least a half acre total, and then 2nd, Swamp Milkweed, doing well, too, but
much smaller numbers. The latter came in a seed mixture two years ago and is
now spreading by seeds.
My overall favorite is the wet land Button Bush, however only lasts about one
week attracting Butterflies, but the plant really does it that week, so giving
it special care, reducing competition, from willow and other plants.
I drove on my tractor all around my 6-7 acres of "return to nature back
fields," this morning on Canadian Thistle patrol, digging about 20 up, keeping
them from spreading. Now that blooming plant does attract Butterflies, but I
do not like the thorny Thistle, so have been fighting for decades. Spotted
around 15 today. The 3rd patrol past 7 weeks. One seed head must produce a
thousand seed, of which maybe 5-8 will reproduce within a 15 ft circle of the
mother annual.
No birds on note noted, except Hummers at kitchen/patio feeders.
The next time at Cracker Barrel think I will purchase a Rock City Bird House.
Looks well made.
My Monarchs are being well fed prepping for their fall journey to the mountains
northwest of Mexico City. I remember when that destination first announced,
National Geographic, around 1975, but I have still not made it to those pine
forests.
Preston Forsythe, Browder, KY
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