Category: Butterflies

Choose one of these New Year’s Resolutions to make your garden more butterfly-friendly this year!

Resolve to Stop Pesticide Use

One simple New Year’s resolution that can have a huge impact on local wildlife (and your own health) is to stop using pesticides in your garden!

Stop using pesticides and instead focusing on tried-and-true natural gardening practices can be a great New Year’s resolution for your garden! By avoiding or minimizing pesticide use, you create a safer, healthier environment for pollinators and contribute to the overall health and sustainability of your garden.

Plan to Plant Milkweed!

Milkweed is the primary food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. By planting it, you’re helping to support the lifecycle of these beautiful and crucial pollinators, which are currently facing population declines.

Milkweed attracts not just monarchs, but a variety of other pollinators such as bees and other butterflies. This helps to enhance the biodiversity in your garden and supports the broader ecosystem.

By planting native milkweed, you’re contributing to conservation efforts, promoting ecological health, and adding a vibrant touch to your garden. It’s a small but powerful way to make a positive impact this new year!

Have a Goal to Add More Native Plants to Your Garden

Native plants are known to support a greater abundance and diversity of bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. Including native plants in your garden enhances biodiversity by providing a variety of plant species that support a diverse range of organisms. This helps to create a balanced and resilient ecosystem.

Native plants are adapted to the local climate, soil, and pests, which means they generally require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. This makes them easier to care for and more sustainable.

Take time this winter and spring to walk through your garden and figure out what percentage of your plants are native species. Aiming for a wildlife garden that is at least 70% native plant species is a great goal with scientific backing.

Add Host Plants

Larval host plants are the secret to successful butterfly gardening; they are plants required by a caterpillar for growth and development. By planting host plants in your garden, you offer a promise of food for the next generation and will attract more butterflies than you thought possible.

Remember, you cannot have a butterfly without the caterpillar and you cannot have the caterpillar without that host plant. So plant lots of host plants. You can never have too many.

Celebrate Your Efforts by Certifying Your Garden

By certifying your garden, you not only gain recognition for your efforts but also contribute to larger conservation goals. It’s a wonderful way to make a positive impact on your local environment!

Here are some common certification programs you can consider:

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

• • • • Certification: Wildlife Habitat Certification
      • Criteria: Provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young for wildlife. Use sustainable gardening practices.
      • Website: NWF Garden for Wildlife

Monarch Watch

• • Certification: Monarch Waystation
  • Criteria: Provide milkweed and nectar sources to support the monarch butterfly lifecycle.
  • Website: Monarch Waystation Program

North American Butterfly Association (NABA)

• • • Certification: Butterfly Garden and Habitat Program
    • Criteria: Create a garden that provides resources for butterflies, including host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for adults.
    • Website: NABA Certification

Xerces Society

• Certification: Pollinator Habitat
• Criteria: Create a habitat that supports pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
• Website: Xerces Society Pollinator Habitat

• • • • Wild Ones
        

        • • • • Certification: Native Plant Butterfly Garden Certification
              • Criteria: Use native plants to create a garden that supports butterflies and other wildlife.
              • Website: Wild Ones Certification

Gardening for butterflies can be a truly joyful and rewarding experience. Successfully attracting butterflies to your garden can give you a great sense of achievement. By nurturing a butterfly garden, you’re not only creating a beautiful space but also fostering a connection with nature that can bring lasting happiness.

Wishing you a new year full of butterfly joy! 

What are keystone native plants and why are they so important?

Keystone plants are natives that are essential to our ecosystems because they support 90% of the caterpillar species that enable our terrestrial birds to reproduce, as well as all our specialist native bee species. They can be trees, shrubs, or perennials, and can be found in backyards and other natural environments.

The concept of keystone species revolves around the idea that certain plant species can support hundreds of other species within an ecosystem. According to Jody Walthall, these keystone plants have a “disproportionately large impact on the abundance and diversity of other species, such as insects.” In their absence, the quality of the local ecosystem can deteriorate, much like removing the keystone from a Roman archway. Insects are the primary focus for keystone plants because disrupting these primary consumers leads to significant disruptions higher up the food chain.

Keystone plants for butterflies in North America include:

These plants are important for butterflies because they provide food and shelter for their caterpillars. Milkweed, for example, is the only food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Joe-pye weed, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, goldenrod, aster, and sunflower are all good sources of nectar for adult butterflies.

There are numerous advantages to incorporating keystone native plants into your landscape:

Supporting Local Wildlife
By providing food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and other animals, native plants create a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard. This fosters biodiversity and helps to maintain the delicate balance of nature. Studies by entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy have shown that landscapes with keystone plants support 70-75% more caterpillar species than those without them, highlighting the crucial role these plants play in the food chain.

Enhancing Pollination
Many native plants are specifically adapted to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These pollinators are essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants, including fruits and vegetables we rely on. A single bee visit can pollinate hundreds of flowers, ensuring a bountiful harvest and healthy ecosystems.

Promoting Natural Pest Control
Native plants are nature’s pest control! A healthy ecosystem with a diverse population of beneficial insects helps to keep pest populations in check naturally. Keystone plants often attract predator insects that feed on harmful insects, reducing the need for pesticides. This creates a safer environment for you, your family, and your pets.

Reducing Maintenance Needs
Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water and fertilizer than non-native species. This translates to lower maintenance needs for your garden, saving you time and money. Additionally, native plants are often more resistant to pests and diseases, further reducing the need for interventions.

By planting keystone plants in your garden, you can help to support the population of butterflies and help restore native biodiversity!

 

 

One of my favorite flowers to plant in the butterfly garden is the old-fashion Hollyhock. I started planting these flowers when I was making and selling Painted Lady butterfly kits. The Painted Lady butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. I soon fell in love with the colorful blooms that filled the garden.

The common hollyhock (Alcea rosea) traveled all over the world during the Middle Ages because of its well-deserved reputation of being able to thrive in almost any climate and soil so long as it was planted in full sun. This is still true today. The plant is happy almost anywhere with the exception of waterlogged soils.

Hollyhock plant history is long and well traveled. The plants are thought to be originally native to East Asia, where they have roots in ancient Japanese culture. Over the years, they spread across Asia, making their way to the Middle East, where the English first encountered them during the Crusades. The plants were used to make a salve that was very good for the Crusaders’ horses which were injured on their hind legs, or “hocks.” This is almost definitely where the name comes from – holly, as in holy (as in Holy Land) and hock, as in the part of the horse the plant was used to treat.
https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/tbt/history-hollyhock-plant/

The plentiful hollyhock was frequently planted near cottages, as it was believed to promote wealth and fertility due to its prolific production of seeds and flowers. This abundance is thanks to the bees, which, in their quest for nectar, become generously coated with pollen as they burrow deeply into the blossoms.

Hollyhocks were once called “outhouse flowers“. These tall flowers were grown around outhouses to hide the privy. The practice was so common that the sight of hollyhocks told guests where the outhouse was located. Their tall and leafy nature helped to conceal the less appealing outhouses, making the garden or yard look more attractive. Additionally, hollyhocks are hardy plants that can thrive in less-than-ideal conditions, making them a practical choice for such locations. The colorful flowers also added a cheerful touch to an area that might otherwise be considered an eyesore.

Hollyhocks support the lifecycle of Painted Lady butterflies as a host plant for their caterpillars and also attract other pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. If you’ve got a cottage garden, it’s just not complete without a few hollyhocks gracing the edges.

Have you ever made hollyhock flower dolls? This age-old craft has been enjoyed by children for hundreds of years and is a delightful activity to share with the next generation. See how to make hollyhock dolls in five steps: https://premeditatedleftovers.com/gardening/how-to-make-hollyhock-dolls-and-use-them-to-decorate-cupcakes/

Growing hollyhocks from seeds is a rewarding process that can add a lovely touch to your garden. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Timing: Direct sow seeds in full sun in ordinary garden soil in spring after danger of frost is past. You can also plant hollyhock seeds in late summer or early fall to give them time to establish before winter. Alternatively, seeds can also be sown in the winter.  Winter sowing is a method where seeds are planted outdoors in mini-greenhouses during the winter months.
2. Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Hollyhocks thrive in rich, loamy soil. If needed, amend the soil with compost to improve its fertility and drainage.
3. Planting Seeds: Directly sow the seeds into the prepared soil, spacing them about 1-2 feet apart. Press them lightly into the soil but don’t cover them too deeply; a light dusting of soil is sufficient.
4. Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to ensure consistent moisture levels for germination.
5. Germination: Germination typically takes about 10-14 days. You’ll see tiny seedlings start to emerge, and you should thin them out if they are too crowded.
6. Care: As the seedlings grow, continue to water them regularly. Once they are a few inches tall, you can apply a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth. Hollyhocks can grow quite tall, so consider staking them if they begin to lean or if you’re in a windy area.
7. Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and diseases like rust. Treat any issues promptly with appropriate measures.

With a bit of care, you’ll soon have tall, beautiful hollyhocks gracing your garden! 🌸🌿

Monarch butterflies are reaching their overwintering sites in Mexico. Visitors to these winter habitats describe witnessing the countless monarchs as a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

My friend, Jacqui Knight, recounted her experience to me: “I was in Mexico a few years ago to see the monarchs. I was amazed at how many monarchs we could see in the trees – the experience was mind-blowing. And so I was completely amazed at just how many more monarchs I saw on this trip.

The day after we arrived, we rode up Cerro Pelon, and halfway up the mountain the horses stopped in a shady passage. Suddenly I realized we were surrounded by a stream of monarchs, a constant stream, flying towards us and further down the mountain. The stream joined up with another stream as the monarchs surged down the mountain, looking for nectar sources further down. Some of them stopped nearby to sip at salvias and other wildflowers beside the track.

We rode on and found the monarchs in a clearing in huge bunches in the trees. It was a thrill when something prompted the monarchs to burst into life… looking up at the blue sky it was as if I was standing next to a huge bonfire with ashes littering the sky, falling around us.

And at the very top the trees were thick with monarchs. These were harder to see as they sat, wings closed in the trees. But we could see them and hear them… the gentle swish of a wonder of wings in the pines and firs. I had never imagined that I would see so many!

The next day down in the village of Macheros we saw monarchs flying everywhere looking to top up on their reserves before they began the journey northwards, and they were puddling thickly in a stream near some houses… so many monarchs that you could hardly see the stream.”

If you want to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I highly recommend a company called Explora Latin America. I have already recommended this company to others, and they come back telling me it was such a fantastic experience and that the tour guides, Sid and Chris, were amazing.

Alicia Griebenow wrote: “I would like to thank you for your recommendation to my husband, Brian, for the best Monarch tour group in Mexico.  He had contacted you in planning for a Christmas gift/birthday trip.  We are presently towards the end of our week traveling with Explora Latin America.  Sid & Chris are the sweetest, kindest and most passionate couple for our Monarchs.  They have attended to our group of 13 with the utmost patience and care.  I want to take them home with me. Thank you.”

What’s included?

• 8-day trip
• Airport pick up upon arrival (airport code: MEX)
• 7 nights of accommodation (double occupancy)
• 7 breakfasts
• 3 dinners
• Purified water refills
• Bilingual tour leader throughout the trip
• Private transportation on air-conditioned van with professional driver
• Entry and visit to 3 Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries
• Local guides (ejidatarios) for the Butterfly Reserves
• Presentation and follow-up discussion on the Monarch migration
• Guided tour of the pyramids of Teotihuacan
• Tour of the Jardín Botánico Cosmovitral in Toluca
• Free time in Valle de Bravo and Mexico City

  

It is not too early to book because they do fill up rather quickly.   https://www.exploralatinamerica.com.mx/join-a-tour/

Here is the website, where you can check the detailed itinerary, and read more of the testimonials.
https://www.exploralatinamerica.com.mx/monarch-butterflies/

Photos and videos courtesy of Alicia and Brian Griebenow of Al Paca’s Dreams.

With a migratory journey of roughly 3,000 miles, it is critical for monarchs to find sustenance along the way. There are a variety of native  perennials that benefit monarchs and provide them with enough nectar resources and energy to make it to their overwintering grounds.

Planting these in your garden can make a significant difference in helping these beautiful butterflies complete their incredible journey. Now is the time to plant these native perennials so that monarchs can benefit next fall.