I had visited the county engineer to ask them to put the highway at our driveway gate on the no spray zone..

We put tall stakes with pink ribbons to show our no spray zone..for the road crew to see
in the ground when they come to cut the side of the road or to spray grass killer twice a year.

We keep the centipede grass mowed on both sides of the right of way of the two lane highway . We do this spring to late fall...each year..

We had the most rain we have had in over 20 years this year which made the milkweed grow very tall and the grass lush and green by the highway

I had one monarch in July and hoped to see lots of them on this wild milkweed this week.

Today I did photograph these butterflys today and stood in 104 heat index .
Has anyone seen lots of monarchs in zone 8 this month of August coming through your area?
Sheri/sheridragonfly

Still have the milkweed but no monarchs visiting it..

I think the rain harmed the butterflys this year possibly.

Did have one monarch in Sheris healing flower garden this August and beautiful pair of swallowtails both colors..yellow and black pairs..and small painted butterflys..

Your lovely plant is a Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium) and not a milkweed. That's why the monarchs aren't using it as a host plant. It's a great, native nectar plant to have, though! Great photos!

I was excited to see 2 Monarchs cruising my perennial bed yesterday when I was watering it. Of course once I decided to go get my phone (only camera I have), when I came back the Monarchs were gone.

Danita
my husband and I are smiling ...you are so right it is Joe Pye weed
and must have been thrown out by the county road crew years ago
or where else would it have come from?
This year the rains really helped it grow..but it needed more sunlight
it is in the ditch by the highway and trees over shadow in noon to night...

Sheridragonfly

Sheri, they are native and I commonly see them growing along roadsides. They seem to like roadsides that have moister soil or ditches and that are located at the edges of wooded areas. Vernonia (Ironweed) seems to be a common companion in these areas. The seeds for both have little "parachutes" (pappus) that allow them to be windborne. Butterflies love them both!