The Majesty of Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): A Desert Bloom with a Monarch’s Calling
June 20, 2025
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Plant More Milkweed. Start with Showy.
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Plant to Restore, Not to Decorate
June 20, 2025
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Every spring, the big box stores roll out a rainbow of seedlings under fluorescent lights: petunias, marigolds, zinnias, and “pollinator blends” designed to catch your eye. They’re planted in tight rows, surrounded by mulch dyed red and black, and watered by timer. The neighbors compliment the blooms. The yard wins
Introducing “UnCommon Milkweed” – A Monarch Superhost for Zones 3–8
June 14, 2025
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At Johnny Butterflyseed, we’re thrilled to announce our newest native seed offering: UnCommon Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias syriaca) — a powerful larval host plant for the endangered Monarch Butterfly: Native to the eastern and central U.S., A. syriaca is one of the most important milkweeds for supporting Monarch caterpillars. It produces
The Cult of Consensus: How iNaturalist Betrays the Spirit of Citizen Science
June 11, 2025
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Since 2020, I’ve contributed to iNaturalist in good faith—as a naturalist, an ecologist, and someone who values the interconnectedness of all living systems. I joined the platform under the impression that it would amplify local knowledge and expand our collective understanding of biodiversity. What I found instead was an interface-driven
Misidentification of Swallowtails in the Absence of Host Plants: A Case Study from the Lake Wales Ridge
June 11, 2025
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In the world of citizen science and digital naturalism, there’s a growing reliance on photographic evidence for species identification. Platforms like iNaturalist have democratized biodiversity data collection, but they’ve also opened the door to misidentification when context is ignored—especially ecological context. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the frequent
Creating an Ecological Haven for Warblers: A Gardener’s Guide
April 23, 2025
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By Johnny Butterflyseed Florida is home to a dazzling variety of Warblers—small, energetic songbirds that rely on healthy, interconnected ecosystems to thrive. While these birds are often associated with forests and wetlands, gardeners and landscapers have a unique opportunity to create an ecological space that supports warblers year-round. By planting
Why Florida’s “Dollarweed” Deserves a New Name: Meet the Butterflies that Call Hydrocotyle Home
February 24, 2025
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By Johnny Butterflyseed If you’ve spent any time tending a Florida lawn or garden, you’ve likely come across Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle spp.). With its round, shiny leaves resembling silver dollars, it’s often labeled as a nuisance—sprayed, pulled, and cursed. But what if this so-called “weed” is actually a vital part of
The Truth About Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica): A Florida-Native Species Worth Understanding
February 19, 2025
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Let’s be clear: Tropical Milkweed is indeed a Florida-native species within USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and above.
Research-Grade Protocols for Germinating Olive Seeds (Olea europaea)
February 18, 2025
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If you’ve ever tried to germinate olive tree seeds, you probably understand why most olive “seedlings” sold online are actually propagated from stem cuttings. Olive seed germination is notoriously difficult, thanks to a complex dormancy mechanism and a hard, water-resistant endocarp that protects the seed within. This isn’t a process