Monarch Butterfly Southwest Florida Butterfly Gardening Zebra Longwing Butterfly Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly Giant Swallowtail Butterfly Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Polydamas Swallowtail Butterfly Queen Butterfly Monarch caterpillar zebra longwing caterpillar cloudless sulphur caterpillar eastern black swallowtail caterpillar giant swallowtail caterpillar gulf fritillary caterpillar polydamas swallowtail caterpillar black rim swallowtail caterpillar black rim swallowtail caterpillar queen caterpillar zebra longwing caterpillar

One of the first nectar plants I bought when I started my butterfly garden was the blue mistflower. There was something about the pop of color, the shape and apperance of the flower that drew me in. I have attempted to grow this flower in my garden and have never had success no matter what kind of spot, full sun/part sun/ shade.

Well, I am over the moon happy that I grew some from seed. It took a while for it to mature, but, it is finally blooming, and I could not be happier!!

I have more starting from seed that I hope will have the same success rate. The butterflies love this plant as much as I love it being among the plants of my garden.

Really, what’s better than growing something from seed and watching it flourish?

Butterflies became such a significant part of my life, and my family’s many years ago. They always seem to appear, and fly extremely close, on the most important days making me smile, making me remember such a beautiful, loving family member.

I love hearing how butterflies have touched others people’s lives as well. It is remarkable how beautiful they are, the transformation they take on to become a butterfly, and how they represent more than that as well.

I am so happy I was able to help my friend’s vision turn into a reality this weekend. I was able to give her 12 butterflies that emerged in my butterfly house to release at her mother’s service. My heart is happy.

Here are a handful of photos of those butterflies enjoying some nectar, giving them fuel to fly high when released.