Milkweed and Monarchs

Monarch caterpillar on milkweed

I don't know how it happened because I hadn't planted it, but a patch of milkweed popped up in my garden. knowing that milkweed is a necessary plant for the lifecycle of monarch caterpillars, I left it alone. When I saw today a caterpillar feasting on one of the leaves, I was delighted that I had chosen the monarch butterflies over my urge to weed and have a perfect garden.