Okay, you'll think I am crazy for this and so did my mom until she decided to see if it was true:

It was late summer. I went to my neighborhood Lowe's to check out their "end-of-the-season" perennials. As I ventured into the shrub/bush/tree area, I was greeted with dozens upon dozens of Monarch butterflies. They were landing all over me. I could hardly see through the sea of orange.

Here, just a few feet away, were three large tables of butterfly bushes!! I just laughed as I had always been skeptical of their ability to attract Monarchs! I remember thinking that Lowes could not have paid for a better promotion than this free one from nature.

It truly was magical. I felt like a child.

I have never had much success in getting DH to take me to the aviary/butterfly house in Pittsburgh but I felt this had to run a close second!

I bought three bushes -- I dare them not to show at my house this year!!

My mom did the same thing the next day!