Butterfly Lady

Planting milkweed is one of the easiest ways that each of us can make a difference for Monarch butterflies. There are over 100 species of this wildflower native to North America. Here are just a dozen.

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is also called Pleurisy Root, Canada Root, Orange Milkweed, and Indian Paintbrush. It takes about two years before it flowers, but it is well worth the wait for the spectacular orange blooms. Unlike other milkweed species, the leaves don’t contain a milky sap.

• Perennial in USDA Zones 4-11.
• Native to most of the Continental US and Eastern Canada. (USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV
  Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , QC)
• Plant in full sun.
• Dry, sandy, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil.
• Height 30-40 inches.
• Drought Tolerant.
• Orange crown-shaped cluster blooms Summer to Fall

Swamp Milkweed  (Asclepias incarnata) usually grows in moist areas but it does not require a moist location in the garden. It will grow well in containers and can easily be grown from cuttings. There are different varieties of this milkweed including ‘Cinderella’ Swamp Milkweed (pink blooms) ‘Ice Ballet’ Swamp Milkweed (white blooms.)

• Perennial in USDA Zones 3-9
• Native to most of the eastern US and eastern Canada. (USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
  Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC)
• Will tolerate shade but also full sun
• Height 4 to 6 feet
• Needs moist to wet soil
• Blooms throughout the summer.
• Fragrant flowers
• Tolerant of drought conditions once established

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a critical plant for Monarchs but has a spreading root system so it needs plenty of space. It’s a wonderful choice for natural areas and an excellent replacement for tough invasive plants in sunny spots.

• Perennial  USDA Zones 4-9
• Native to most of the eastern US and eastern Canada (USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
  Canada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK)
• Full sun, but will tolerate some shade.
• Height 2-4 feet
• Well-drained soil, even tough clay or dry sand
• Rose-colored blooms early to late Summer
• Drought tolerant.

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) has flowers that resemble a cluster of brilliant pink stars. Although it spreads through underground rhizomes, it is far less aggressive than common milkweed and is an excellent alternative.

• Perennial in USDA Zones 3-9
• Native to the western half of US and Canada (USA: AZ , CA , CO , IA , ID , IL , KS , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WI , WY
  Canada: AB , SK)
• Full sun
• Height 2 to 4 feet
• Grows best in well-drained soil
• Drought tolerant.
• Blooms late spring to early fall

Antelope Horn Milkweed (Asclepias asperula) s a low, sprawling Southwestern native that thrives in warm, arid zones. It appears early in the spring to provide food for early-migration Monarchs. Because of its long taproot, this milkweed is drought-tolerant and non-aggressive.

• USDA hardiness zones 5-9
• Native native to the Southwestern United States. (USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , KS , NE , NM , NV , OK , TX , UT)
• Full sun
• Height 1 to 2 feet
• Needs dry, well-drained soil.
• Blooms early spring to late summer.

Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis) prefers wet, rich soil and can be found in wetlands and swamps throughout the Southeastern United States. Not to be confused with swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), the flowers are white and restricted to floodplain forest and along streams.

• Perennial in USDA Zones 6-9.
• Native to the Southeastern United States. (AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MO , MS , SC , TN , TX)
• Partial shade to full sun.
• Prefers moist rich soil.
• Height 1-2 feet.
• Requires regular watering.

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) is one of the few milkweeds that are shade tolerant. This low-maintenance, quick-growing native grows wild in most of the Eastern US and Canada, primarily in damp, shady edges of clearings, or on shorelines of ponds and other waterways. Poke Milkweed is often planted as a fast-growing annual in colder zones, where it will tolerate full sun.

• Perennial in USDA Zones 3-7.
• Native to the eastern United States and Canada. (USA: CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: ON , QC)
• Partial shade.
• Prefers sand, loam, and well-drained soil.
• Height 2-6 feet.

Spider Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), also known as Green Milkweed, and Green Antelopehorn Milkweed, is one of the earliest spring blooming milkweeds with large yellow and green flowers and purple centers.

• Perennial USDA Zones 3-11.
• Native to south central and southeastern United States. (USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , NE , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , WV)
• Full sun.
• Sandy or rocky well-drained soil.
• Height 1-2 feet.
• Drought tolerant.

Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) is extremely easy to grow and grows in any sunny spot in the garden. It is similar to Common Milkweed but is less aggressive, has slightly smaller flowers, and an overall smooth appearance on the stem, leaves, and seed pods.

• Perennial in USDA Zones 3-7.
• Native to central and south-central United States. (USA: AR , IA , IL , IN , KS , MI , MN , MO , ND , NE , OH , OK , SD , WI Canada: ON)
• Full sun.
• Height 3 feet
• Grows best in consistently moist soil.

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) has very skinny, “whorled” leaves. There are clusters of approximately 20 flowers near the top of each plant. Whorled Milkweed can bloom anytime between July and September, which is later in the year than many other milkweeds. The white flowers can be a greenish-white on some plants. Please note, this species is rhizomatous and will spread.

• USDA Zones 3-9.
• Native to eastern North America and parts of western Canada and the United States.
• Partial shade to full sun.
• Medium, to medium-dry well-drained soil.
• Height 2-3 feet.• Drought tolerant

Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis), also known as Mexican Whorled Milkweed, blooms in clusters of lavender, pale pink, purple, white, to greenish shades of flowers. It is one of the easiest milkweeds to grow and establish.

• USDA Zones 3-11.
• Native to California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
• Thrives in full sun.
• Dry to rocky well-drained soil.
• Height 24”- 48” tall.
• Drought tolerant.

Zizotes Milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides)  is sometimes called side cluster milkweed because the flowers form on the sides of the stem, sometimes under the leaves. The flower of this species is unique among milkweeds. Most other milkweeds form a cluster of flowers at the top of the stem. The long, slender hoods extend beyond the stigmatic groove and flare or bow outward at the top. This species survives periodic droughts and occasional mowing.

• USDA Zones 7a-9b.
• Native to Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Full sun.
• Medium-dry to dry soil.
• Height 12 -18 inches tall.
• Drought tolerant.

 

I’m often asked, “How do I start a butterfly garden?” and, “How can I get butterflies to come to my garden?” or, “I have lots of flowers, but why do I never see any butterflies?” Attracting butterflies to your garden is actually quite easy. Below are ten principles to consider as you begin to plan your butterfly garden.

1. Don’t use pesticides!

Yes, that means you are going to have bugs. If you don’t want bugs, then you don’t want butterflies. After all, a butterfly is a bug. Pesticides are the number-one killer of not only butterflies but also bees, moths, and other pollinators. Learn to live with the insects. Every insect serves a purpose and is part of the habitat you’re trying to create for the butterflies.

2. Plant your garden in a sunny location.

It sounds simple but you would be surprised how many butterfly gardens I see that have been planted in the shade. While it is certainly OK to have some of the garden in shade or to have shade during part of the day, you will have more success if the majority of the plants are in the sun. Remember, butterflies need the warmth of the sun to be able to fly. Also, flowers need the warm sun to produce nectar.

3. Plant host plants!

Host plants are those plants butterflies lay their eggs on. If you do not have host plants in your garden, butterflies may come to visit the flowers for nectar, but then they will leave. Female butterflies have hundreds of eggs to lay. If you have lots of host plants, you will have lots of butterflies. Yes, the plant will get eaten and look awful and scraggly once eaten by a caterpillar. An amazing thing happens though when you trim that plant. It grows back! And this time the plant is even bigger and bushier. (More places for the butterfly to lay eggs and more food for caterpillars.)

The most important host plant you can have in your garden is of course milkweed!

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.

4. Plant nectar plants.

You need to realize that not all flowers provide nectar for butterflies. While roses are quite beautiful, they do not provide nectar for butterflies. Also, many of the beautiful colorful flowers you find at the plant shops are just that, pretty. They have been cultivated to have lots of colorful blooms and in so doing have lost their ability to provide tasty nectar through the hybridization process.

Native plants are known to support a greater abundance and diversity of bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. Native  plants are adapted to the climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. They do not require fertilizers or pesticides and need considerably less water than many non-native plants.

Annuals not only bring color and excitement to summer gardens but provide lots more pollen and nectar sources to attract many butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees to your garden.

5. Cluster the same species of plants together.

Group plants of the same species in clusters of three or more to help butterflies locate them more easily.If you plant just one milkweed plant among other plants the butterfly might never find it. Remember that butterflies use visual clues, colors, and shapes, then smell clues to find the flowers they want to nectar on. Also, planting in clusters of 3, 5, 7, 9… makes the garden more aesthetically pleasing.

6. Plant a variety of flowers.

Include a diverse selection of flowers with varying heights, colors, and blooming periods. Since pollinators have different preferences for flower shapes—such as bowl-shaped, flat-topped, or tubular—and colors, ensure your landscape offers a wide range of options to accommodate their needs.

7. Provide a wet area for the butterflies.

You can entice more butterflies to visit your garden by adding a butterfly water dish or puddling station. Many species of male butterflies need to feed on salts and minerals in order to reproduce. They absorb these nutrients from damp sand, dirt, and mulch.

8. Add a fruit feeder to your butterfly garden.

Rotten fruit can help attract butterflies. Many butterflies do not live on flower nectar alone. Some species prefer, even require, overripe fruit to feed on. Butterflies are particularly fond of sliced, rotting oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, and bananas. For ideas on how to add a fruit feeder to your garden, click here: http://butterfly-lady.com/butterflies-and-fruit/

9. Make peace with weeds.

Many species of butterflies feed on various grasses, clover, dandelions, and other so-called “weeds.” A chemical-lawn monoculture is not good if you want more butterflies. If you can’t get rid of the crabgrass and Bermuda grass that take over your garden, you can tell folks that you left them there for the butterflies! You can also leave a section of your yard unmowed. This is especially important in the early spring since “weeds” are some of the only flowers that are in bloom.

10. Learn about the different species of butterflies in your area.

This will help you identify the visitors to your garden. There are many different websites and books that can help you.

Creating a garden that attracts butterflies as well as many other pollinators  can bring peace, reduce stress, and provide a beautiful space to enjoy nature.

Monarch butterflies not only need milkweed to lay their eggs, but they also need nectar-rich plants. Adult monarchs are dependent on nectar plants as a food source during spring and summer breeding, fall migrations, and during overwintering to fuel up and to survive.

The Xerces Society, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and Monarch Joint Venture, developed regional monarch-specific nectar plant guides for the continental US. The plant species included in these nectar plant guides are based on monarch nectaring observations compiled from numerous sources, including published and technical reports, research datasets, and personal communications with monarch researchers, botanists, and other experts.

For gardeners who like easy-care plants, native wildflowers can be the foundation of the garden. They’re easy to grow, never weedy, and they attract and nourish wildlife, including birds, bees, beneficial insects, and butterflies.

Whether you like to start flowers from seed or transplants, these easy-growing wildflowers won’t require spraying for pests and diseases or copious amounts of chemical fertilizers to light up your landscape. Plus, they generally are quite tolerant of poor soils and dry conditions, which means you won’t need to amend the soil or be too compulsive about your watering duties.

1. Native wildflowers are extremely easy to grow. They create easy, low-maintenance color in almost any sunny spot, needing little water once established.
2. Native wildflowers help our pollinators. Native wildflowers are integral to pollinators’ survival. Planting a wildflower meadow gives bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds a nectar buffet to feed on all season long.
3. Native wildflowers are good for the environment. Native plants help reduce air pollution sequester or remove, carbon from the air.
4. Native wildflowers do not require fertilizers and require fewer pesticides than lawns. Pesticides are the number one killer of not only butterflies, but also bees, and moths and other pollinators.
5. Native wildflowers require less water and help prevent erosion.
   The deep root systems of many native plants increase the soil’s capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding.
6. Native wildflowers provide spectacular color and beauty. There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than a wildflower garden or meadow bursting in bloom.
7. Wildflowers are fun. Whether you’re a new gardener or a seasoned pro, growing, caring for, and cutting wildflowers for summer bouquets is a lot of fun.

   

Here are some of my favorite native wildflowers for butterfly gardens.

Here are resources to help you learn more about native wildflowers by state and region.

U.S. Forest Service: Gardening for Pollinators
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center: Plant Lists and Collections
https://www.wildflower.org/collections/

Here are books about using native plants to attract butterflies:

 

There is nothing more exciting than finding a field full of native Milkweed plants. Even more exhilarating is when you discover Monarch butterfly eggs on the leaves of those plants!

Monarchs will leave a trail of eggs as they travel north. The first generation departing overwintering sites in central Mexico only migrates as far north as Texas and Oklahoma. The second, third, and fourth generations return to their northern breeding locations in the United States and Canada as spring progresses.

Female Monarchs find milkweed on their journey north through a combination of visual and chemical cues. When they land on a plant that might be Milkweed, they drum their forelegs on the surface to release chemicals. Then, sensors on their legs and antennae called chemoreceptors to identify if it’s Milkweed and the quality of the plant.

Spring migratory routes are considerably more difficult to identify and study than fall routes because in the spring Monarchs are dispersed and consequently less noticeable than the fall migrants, which form roosts. Scientists are still learning about the Monarchs’ spring migration thanks to the help of citizen scientists from every US state and seven Canadian provinces. They report their first sightings of Monarch butterflies every spring. Through these reports, we can learn about when and where Monarchs travel as they migrate north in the spring.

High-quality habitat with abundant milkweed is critical for monarchs at this stage of their annual cycle.  Plan and plant your pollinator garden today!