Fantastic Video by Ba Rae

I love the internet! I have been using Facebook and Twitter and have found so many fabulous groups that are butterfly fans! Here is a list of those groups that I think you will enjoy:

http://www.facebook.com/theloveofbutterflies
http://www.facebook.com/ShadyOakButterflyFarm
http://www.facebook.com/ButterflyPavilion
http://www.facebook.com/butterflynature
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greathouse-Butterfly-Farm/119110954790042
http://www.facebook.com/groups/303259184298/

Here is a fantastic video that shows the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly. It describes the entire process from egg to adult.



This was made by Ba Rae and you can find more about her on her facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bas-Relief-LLC/190049684378053

"Like" Mother Monarch on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter!

Milkweed is the Host Plant

It is that time of year when everyone is tired of winter. E-mails and catalogs arrive on a daily basis filled with seeds and plants to buy for the upcoming growing season. Butterfly gardening has become popular. Plant companies sell plants that attract butterflies. What most gardeners do not know is that these plants are nectar plants. Butterflies feed on nectar which converts to energy so they can fly and reproduce. Nectar can come from 100's of flowers but there is something greatly missing ........ and that is......... The HOST PLANT!

Host plants are what the butterfly lays her eggs on. Unlike nectar plants, host plants are very species specific. Each kind of butterfly requires a specific type of plant for the larval caterpillar.  When the caterpillar hatches it has an instant meal. The plant it hatches on is the plant it thrives on. It would be nearly impossible for a tiny caterpillar to crawl in search of food. This is where the gardener can really help. Native plants are being pushed out by invasive and hybridized species. It is difficult for butterflies to find suitable and plentiful host plants.

Milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. Here are some facts and info about Milkweed from Butterfly Encounters:

Milkweed is the common name for a group of plants that belong to the Asclepias genus. This genus of plants is named after Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek mythology.

The monarch larva consumes the milkweed leaves while ingesting cardiac glycosides. This makes the monarch toxic to predators.

There are over 100 species of milkweed in North America and the diversity of foliage and flower color is quite amazing. See the  Milkweed Photo Gallery. All milkweeds are herbaceous perennials, meaning they live for more than two years.  Some milkweeds can't handle freezing temperatures, there are two classifications:

1. Hardy Perennial - These milkweed species can survive below freezing temperatures in any zone in the United States. They go dormant in the winter months and return each spring.
2. Frost Tender Perennial - Some milkweeds fall into this category. You can grow them anywhere in the US. If you live in a zone that falls between 1 and 9, the plants die in the winter and you will have to replant from seed in the spring. In zones 10 - 11, they will grow year round.

You can purchase milkweed seeds or plants from Butterfly Encounters. Happy planting!

 

Mother Monarch available March 9, 2010

$19.95 + $4.95 shipping

Mother Monarch is my new book from Schiffer Publishing. About 2 years ago I attended a conference for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I had several ideas for books, but no publisher. I went to the conference to see if there was any possible way that I might get into the industry. It was a great conference and I came away with lots of useful information. I needed to find a publisher but I was nervous, not because I didn't think I'd find one ( although that thought did cross my mind) I was afraid that I would loose control. I was afraid that the publisher, editor and designer would take my book and it would become something that was not what I envisioned. I researched a lot of companies, looked at lots of children's books for subject matter, printing quality etc. I submitted proposals to a few places......... but no luck.

In 2008 I had been included in a book by Cora Marcus & Libby Kyer, Today's Botanical Artists, a Schiffer Book. The book highlights 65 artists and I was lucky enough to be included as well as make the back cover. I saw that Schiffer published children's books, so I sent them a proposal and viola! ..... I got my first book contract. 9 months after I submitted all the art and text I received my first copy of Mother Monarch. I couldn't be happier. The color and quality of the book is beautiful. The designer even made the text PURPLE. She didn't know it was my favorite color so it was a pleasant surprise. My fears of losing the creative control over my book is gone. Schiffer has done a fabulous job with the book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The book will be available on or about March 9, 2010.

If you are interested in purchasing the book go to the Buy the Book tab. There are some special goodies that go along with the purchase of this book that you can not get anywhere else! Check it out!