by: Becky Emerson Carlberg
The pros were at Gordon Cooper last Saturday. Gardening professionals. Four uber-knowledgeable plant people gave presentations at the 21st Annual “Gardening with the Experts.” Marilyn Stewart opened with “Attracting Monarchs and so much more with Native Plants.” A person after my own heart. She exclaimed that Monarchs have carried the whole burden of pollinators on their little shoulders. The Monarch is a specific feeder because the caterpillar only eats milkweed plants. Pictures were shown of the various stages of a Monarch and ended with the butterfly having just emerged from its ‘Jade Earing’ chrysalis. Before it could fly, the butterfly had to rest for about an hour to allow the wings to dry and stiffen. Note: Butterflies create hard and smooth chrysalises; moths weave cocoons with silk coverings.
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