A few years ago I was given a seed packet of milkweed – the only host plant for monarch butterflies – to sow in the yard. A random milkweed plant would show up in my yard from time to time but they never established themselves, so I assumed I had poor milkweed habitat and forgot about the packet. Then, cleaning out a drawer in February, voila, the milkweed seeds reappeared. I doubted they were viable at that point, but I read on the envelope that they could be tossed out onto the snow in winter. So I did that.

Turns out the seed was plenty viable and the plants, now flourishing in full flower, are barging in on the hydrangeas, the chamomile, the sage, and even the pineapple mint and garlic chives. 

So, another lesson from the garden. Never underestimate the ability of life to overcome adversity, no matter how unfavorable the outlook or how dim the expectations. Here’s my milkweed standing up for the success of the beleaguered monarch butterflies. The odds don’t look great for butterflies right now, but the milkweed is voting for them. You go, milkweed.