Many of you have raised monarch butterflies at home. It’s so exciting, no matter your age, to watch a tiny caterpillar explode in size, transform into a chrysalis, and then emerge as a beautiful butterfly. We’ve been butterfly parents over the last few weeks as monarchs descended upon our butterfly garden. Even with some of the cooler nights recently, the number of butterflies in our yard has been incredible.

So, the other morning, I was moving the screen enclosure that we use for caterpillars and as I lifted it, movement behind it made me jump. Our house is a little older and occasionally a lizard sneaks in, so I figured that’s what it was. Then I looked closer and there was a newly emerged monarch butterfly, stretching its wings and ready to fly.

I looked at the enclosure in my hand and every chrysalis was still green and intact. So, where did this beautiful intruder come from? Did he just happen to venture into the house? That seemed unlikely. I realized that we had another critter keeper with a top that didn’t shut completely and that maybe this monarch escaped as a caterpillar. And sure enough, when I looked directly above the new butterfly, there was an empty chrysalis hanging from the bottom of the raised blinds.

This butterfly is in luck, because we just completed the brand-new butterfly house at the nursery and so he got to join a bunch of his pals among the bright, blooming flowers. The next time you are in the Nursery, come check it out and witness little miracles of nature in action.

But maybe you aren’t quite ready to be a butterfly parent. Perhaps, becoming a plant parent is more your speed. Come out and wander through the Houseplant Shop at Kerby’s. You’ll find beautiful plants and pots just perfect for making you a Plant Parent.