If you’re thinking about starting a monarch butterfly garden, this is the year to get growing…the future of the majestic monarch migration could depend on it!
If you’ve been missing monarchs recently, a large part of the problem can be blamed on the crashing butterfly population. A wicked trifecta of herbicides, habitat loss, and extreme weather is making it impossible for the monarchs to catch a break.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying the first step is always the hardest. I think it’s especially true when you’re not sure where to begin. When starting a monarch butterfly garden there are many points to consider, and those first decisions will have a big impact on your eventual butterfly garden success…or failure.
But even if you’ve already made unfortunate decisions creating your garden, it’s never to late to assess your situation, and make a course correction that will guide more butterflies into your garden.
I’m here to help you get down the basics, so your butterfly garden gets off to a flying start. If I was starting a new monarch butterfly garden, these are the essential tips, tools, and techniques I would implement to start seeing more monarchs this season.
If you have any questions after reading this post, please post them in comments at the bottom of this page. Now, let’s get your garden started…
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Assess Your Situation
Before you start creating your monarch butterfly garden garden, it’s important to research some basic info to help guide your garden decisions.
1. Where do monarchs live?
Check out this helpful global distribution map to make sure it’s possible to get monarch butterflies in your region.
If you’re in the western U.S., check out western butterfly garden resources.
2. When are monarchs usually in your in your region?
Sightings maps from Journey North reveal where and when monarch sightings are reported. They even have archives of past seasons.
3. Discover Your Zone
The USDA has created a plant hardiness zone map to let you know what plants are appropriate to plant in your region. Some plants outside your zone can be treated as annuals.
4. Soil Conditions
Not all plants require the same soil conditions, but many butterfly plants prefer well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Compost is an excellent additive for increasing organic matter in your soil. For plants with uncommon soil requirements you can amend the soil in that area, or consider potting the plant. Research soil requirements for all your plants. This gives you the best chance to grow thriving plants!
5. Sun to part Sun
While many sources say a butterfly garden should receive full sun, experience has shown me a variety of conditions is optimal. Some plants grow better in partial sun, and the butterflies may need refuge from the dog days of summer. Let’s say “mostly sunny with a side of shade.”
6. Light Breeze
Butterflies prefer areas with little to no wind. Make sure your garden isn’t a wind tunnel or the butterflies may blow right on by.
7. Make a plan
A butterfly garden plan doesn’t need to be anything elaborate, but think about some important details before grabbing your shovel.
- If you want to explore butterfly garden design layouts, try searching butterfly garden design layout images online, and then cater a plan to your specific needs.
- Do you plan to expand?
- How much time will you spend on your garden? (this will determine garden size and plant choices)
- Read this post for a full list of things to consider before starting your school butterfly garden (much applies to home gardening)
- Planting a field for Pollinators? Click here for more info
If you need more ideas and inspiration for your butterfly garden, sign up for our 100% free butterfly tips newsletter.
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Make Way for Milkweed
Milkweed is the cornerstone of a successful butterfly garden and planting a mix of both native and non-invasive annuals will entice more monarchs to enter your garden gates. These varieties are utilized as both host plant for caterpillars and a nectar source for butterflies.
Tip: all milkweed varieties should be planted in groups of at least six plants. Otherwise, there is a good chance your monarch caterpillars will run out of milkweed!
1. Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) offers pretty pink blooms and a sweet vanilla scent. It’s native across most of the US and parts of Canada:
Swamp Milkweed Plants and Seeds from Joyful Butterfly
Swamp Milkweed Seed and Plants from Amazon
2. Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed) has deep pink, fragrant flowers with a star shaped white center. It’s native to the western half of the US and Canada:
Showy Milkweed Seeds and Plants from JB
Find Asclepias Speciosa Seeds on Amazon
3. Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed) serves double duty for the monarchs. It’s reported by many to be one of the most popular species for egg laying females. It’s also an extremely popular nectar source for late season monarchs in our northern region.
Find Asclepias Curassavica Plants and Seeds on Joyful Butterfly
Find Tropical Milkweed Seeds and Plants on Amazon
4. Ascelpias tuberosa (butterfly weed): this is a popular native milkweed grown throughout North America. While it’s reported by many to be a popular nectar plant, there are conflicting reports about whether monarch mamas bypass its rough, sapless leaves for smoother varieties.
Buy Asclepias Tuberosa on Joyful B
Find More Butterfly Weed on Amazon
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Top Nectar Plants
Now that you’ve satisfied those hungry caterpillars, here are some nectar plants to give your garden instant butterfly appeal:
This native perennial unleashes pink blooms in mid-late summer that monarchs, other butterflies, and bees go wild over. I’ve heard positive reports on several species including Eutrochium purpureum (sweet joe pye weed) and Eutrochium maculatum’gateway’ (spotted joe pye weed), which we grow in Minnesota.
Find Joe Pye Weed Plants and Seeds on Joyful Butterfly
Eutrochium Maculatum Seeds on Amazon
2. Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican sunflower ‘torch’)
Reported across North America to be one of the most popular annuals for attracting monarchs, hummingbirds, and other precious pollinators like this sulphur butterfly:
Find Mexican Sunflower ‘Torch’ Seeds here
Find More Tithonia Rotundifolia Seeds on Amazon
3. Buddleia davidii (butterfly bushes)
These beautiful, long blooming perennials attract monarchs, hummingbirds, and many other butterflies. There is an ongoing (exhausting) argument about where these plants are invasive, and where they’re considered safe for planting.
For all the controversy, there are only two states in the Pacific Northwest where butterfly bush has been prohibited as an invasive species.
In recent years, sterile and non-invasive varieties have been created to allow butterflies (and gardeners) to enjoy these nectar flowers without the risk of crowding out native plants. I am suggesting two of the non-invasive varieties that I know attract butterflies.
a. Buddleia davidii (Buddleja Buzz Butterfly Bush)
Buddleja Buzz is compact, non-invasive and it attract butterflies. It’s also supposed to be more cold hardy for the north. It’s the only variety we’ve planted that hasn’t succumbed to Minnesota winter. Colder climates should mulch with leaves in fall, take fall cuttings, or overwinter to insure your crop.
Buzz comes in a variety of vibrant colors including purple, sky blue, white, hot raspberry, and more. Grows to 4 feet.
