Photo 1 is Asclepias tuberosa, aka butterfly milkweed. Photo 2 looks like a milkweed, but not one I recognize. I would give it time, and see if it flowers.

The second picture is a zinnia.
Your garden is lovely!
Sherry

Thank you both so much! And exactly what I was hoping to hear, too! My husband will be happy to hear, as I let him pick the zinnia seeds...although he made it a mission to pick the "loudest" color he could find. I'm sure the red and white striped flowers are going to be an interesting addition!

Your garden is lovely. Welcome to your new obsession, butterfly gardening. It definitely is a worthwhile hobby and very satisfying. Hope you get lots of butterfly visitors and they lay lots of eggs for you.

Mechelle

Do butterflies like zinnias? Which butterflies, and are there favorite cultivars of zinnia they prefer?

MS, Here is a link to an old thread about butterflies and zinnias Tony

Here is a link that might be useful: Which zinnias attract butterflies

I am certainly hoping for many "visitors"...there were a good number of butterflies that passed through my yard last year without any gardens, so I really just wanted to convince them to hang out a little longer this year! My work hours are cut back for the summer so I need some sort of hobby to keep me occupied until September! I also love taking pictures and am looking forward to some great shots.

Everything here is pretty much trial and error based on internet research...I came across a couple sites that claimed zinnias are good for the local butterflies here in south Jersey. We'll see!