Summer Butterflies in the Garden
Milkweed and prairie flowers are attracting butterflies across the garden this summer.
Summer brings one of my favorite sights in the pollinator garden: butterflies. Monarchs, swallowtails, and smaller butterfly species often drift through the garden during warm afternoons. They pause on flowers briefly before moving on to the next bloom.
Butterflies rely on both nectar plants and host plants during their lifecycle. Milkweed, for example, provides the only food source for monarch caterpillars. Watching butterflies move through the garden always reminds me how important these plants are for supporting wildlife.
The slow movement of butterflies across the garden feels almost peaceful compared to the faster activity of bees. Summer afternoons in my prairie garden are full of moments like this.
Milkweed and prairie flowers are attracting butterflies across the garden this summer.
Milkweed shoots are beginning to appear in the pollinator garden, marking an important step in the monarch lifecycle.
Early native bees are already visiting the pollinator garden as spring begins to arrive.
Winter frost highlights the textures of prairie plants while the garden continues supporting wildlife.
Even after many flowers fade, prairie gardens continue supporting birds and pollinators through seeds and late blooms.
Autumn brings warm colors to the prairie garden. Goldenrod and asters continue feeding pollinators as the season slowly shifts toward winter.
Summer brings the busiest season in the pollinator garden. Prairie flowers are in full bloom, and pollinators are visiting constantly throughout the day.
Summer brings the busiest season in the pollinator garden. Prairie flowers are in full bloom, and pollinators are visiting constantly throughout the day.
Spring is slowly returning to the pollinator garden. Early prairie plants and the first native bees are beginning to appear.
Spring is slowly returning to the pollinator garden. Early bees are already visiting the first blooms, reminding me how quickly prairie life begins again once the weather warms.