The garden was alive and well early this morning with newly emerged monarch butterflies drying their wings, while others were sipping nectar and laying eggs. Although we see butterflies all year in Southwest Florida, I love this time of year, as more seem to visit the garden, leaving behind eggs for more generations to come, or stopping in for a treat of nectar.

The first picture of the monarch on the firebush, I am absolutely stoked about. My mom gave me a clipping from her garden more than a year ago. I am happy to say this is the first time I have ever had it flower and it’s filling in the space quite nicely.

This hobby has blossomed in so many ways. For me it has combined my love of butterflies and new found interest in plants. The great thing about gardening is after you establish plants, the majority of the time it keeps giving, as seeds spread, or “root suckers” under the ground spread far.

Here are just a few of the lovely monarchs that caught my attention this morning.