We reached another milestone today. We have successfully raised 350 monarch butterflies, as one female, and one male emerged this morning.

Can you tell I have fallen in love with the sweet almond bush? It makes such a nice backdrop for photographs.

I have read that this bush is one that is a fast grower, and can be grown as either a tree, or a shrub, spreading 6 to 12 feet and growing 6 to 12 feet high. I have one planted in the garden already, and it took daily watering, sometimes twice a day, to get it established and happy. It loves full sun and that is definitely what it gets in this location. I have a second one that is still in the pot that I need to find a good location for. The aroma of the flowers is amazing. It is said that if pruned frequently it will increase the blooms. The monarchs are definitely enjoying the nectar.