Since we haven't had a freeze yet, there are still flowers on a few butterfly bushes, many zinnias, Mexican sunflowers and cosmos that were planted late, aster, some tropical milkweed, lantana and pincushion flower. Those late-season butterflies like the Variegated Fritillaries, Buckeyes, Skippers, Whites and Sulphurs and a few assorted others at least have something to nectar on. I've been raising a few Variegated Frits and releasing them, but I'm not seeing any more laying eggs on the passionvine. About a week ago, I did see one Black Swallowtail in the garden. I also saw a Long-tailed skipper about 2 weeks ago, which I tried to net, but it was too fast for me. The migrating monarchs have left the area on their way south now. It helps to plant seeds later in the season (July) so there are flowers for the fall winged ones. I have been gathering seeds to sell in Social Butterflies Wing It! kits, such as fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, marigolds, verbena and Black-eyed Susan. We now have about four months of winter weather ahead of us, which is a good time to recoup and assess how things went this past butterfly season.
