The lowly milkweed grows prolifically around my childhood farm and I knew it attracted butterflies, so upon moving to an urban setting, I instructed our landscape company to allow their growth. The workers give me strange looks, as I remind them to “leave those weeds”, but I am the one living with an abundance of butterflies and not complaining.

However, this is the first year I have looked at the stunning detail of its flower – I am entranced. A welcome “weed” for sure!