Children join Master Gardeners in Pollinator Garden
to learn about butterflies and their host plants

By Lyn Dodge
Master Gardener Intern

Whew, it was hot on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. But that did not stop 14 veteran Master Gardeners and two interns from hosting “Saturday in the Garden” in the Pollinator Garden at Short Pump Park. More than 40 children and adults attended the event and learned about host plants for caterpillars.

Do you know what plants are host to caterpillars that become beautiful butterflies? There are many! The event focused on five. Participants were given a pamphlet with the name and picture of featured plants. As they walked through the pollinator garden, a Master Gardener was stationed near each of five host plants: parsley, black-eyed susan, milkweed, cassia and passion flower vine. The Master Gardener showed each child the plant and pictures of the caterpillar and the butterfly it hosts. The children looked for insects munching on the plants. Parsley is not only edible for humans but is food for the caterpillar of the black swallowtail butterfly. Black-eyed susan hosts the silvery checkerspot. Milkweed hosts the beloved monarch, while cassia feeds the sulphurs. The last plant that was featured on this hot and sunny day was the beautiful passion flower vine that is host to the variegated fritillary.

Once the guests checked off all five stations, they were invited to plant their own parsley plant to take home and were given a wind-up butterfly toy. The butterfly was the coolest toy I have seen in a long time. It has a rubber band that is wound tight and when you let it go, the butterfly flies through the air.

Other activities that participants enjoyed included painting a cut-out butterfly and using a party blower as a proboscis and running from plant to plant to gather nectar and pollinate the flowers. Coloring sheets of beautiful butterflies were available to take home. And, what is the best way to end an awesome summer learning experience? A popsicle, of course! Each child got one to help cool off.

All participants raved about the knowledge they were taking back to their gardens. Parents and children alike were engaged as they walked around the garden, became butterflies or made butterflies to take home. The Master Gardeners were not only knowledgeable but full of laughter and fun.

Just so you get a feel for how hot it was, Linda McBride said it best, “I doubt we will forget our morning of learning what it feels like to be inside an air fryer set on high.”

Click on the photo below and use the cursors on the left and right to scroll through the gallery to view photos of the 2024 “Saturday in the Garden” at Short Pump Park: