Gardening for the Monarch Butterfly

Monarch butterflies recently had a very hard winter in Mexico, where they end their long journey from the United States to escape the cold. Hail, rain and snow destroyed property and took lives. The poor Monarch did not stand a chance, with quite possibly this being the largest loss of population ever in the Monarch butterfly's history. Monarch butterflies can recover because they have the ability to lay hundreds of eggs at a time. The Monarch, however, could use a helping hand from a kind gardener to flourish. Gardening to attract Monarch butterflies is very rewarding and adds beauty and interest to any garden.

Milkweed is extremely important to the Monarch butterfly. They lay their eggs on the milkweed pod, and the caterpillars feed on the plant. There are many types of milkweed, with one of them surely perfect for your garden. The white flowering Swan Milkweed is a stunning addition to any garden and one of the Monarch butterfly's favorites. Swamp Milkweed is a perennial milkweed that sports either pink or white flowers depending on the species. The Swamp Milkweed needs average to wet soil and can grow up to four feet tall. A popular and easy to find milkweed is the Butterfly Weed, also a perennial. Colors of the flowers can range from bright orange to nearly red. The Butterfly Weed needs full sun and well drained soil to last all season. Any of these milkweed plants will make a perfect place for the Monarch's eggs.

In addition to providing a place for the Monarch to lay eggs, a gardener that wants the butterflies to stick around also needs to provide food for them. Nectar producing plants can be stunningly beautiful or surprisingly simple. The best flower for the Monarch is surely the purple coneflower, an easy flower to grow in almost any zone. Asters and Joe Pye-weeds are very good choices as well. Be sure to mix the types of flowers you plant so that the blooms continue all season long. For example, Blazingstars are another favorite of the Monarch butterfly. There are several types of Blazingstar plants that bloom at different times in the season. Planting this mix will prolong the availability of food for the Monarch.

Several shrubs also attract the Monarch. Lilacs bloom late in May, and provide an excellent source of nectar. Another good choice for the garden is the family of butterfly bushes. Not only do they have unique names and beautiful flowers, but the Monarch butterfly absolutely loves these bushes. Try the beautiful White Profusion or the Lo & Behold Blue Chip, which is an excellent bush for small spaces.

Plant the butterfly attracting plants and flowers in beds and containers, choosing a quiet area in the yard. Butterflies are sensitive to pesticides and grass treatments and don't fare well after spraying. Try organic or natural pest control in these areas of the garden. Lastly, try spreading the plantings around the perimeter of the yard instead of piling them into one spot. By doing the plantings this way, you are guaranteed a great show each day as the Monarch butterfly flits from plant to flower and back again.

Monarch butterflies are an essential part of the ecosystem and they play an integral part in the garden. Providing the perfect butterfly garden helps to ensures that the species flourishes year after year.