Many of us love seeing the Monarch Butterfly in the spring as it does its annual migration from Mexico to the northern US and Canada. The orange and black pattern of this painted lady is striking. These are not only lovely to look at, but they are important pollinators for gardens across NorthAmerica. As more land become cultivated and less wild land exists, they are missing their breeding and feeding grounds along their journey.
I was made aware of their plight a few years back and I was inspired by my friend Karen https://www.instagram.com/keacadman/ who now raises hundreds of butterflies every season and documents it on. instagram.
It may seem obvious, but it is important to protect plants to protect animals. The Monarch Caterpillar does not exist without the Milkweed plant. The mother lays her eggs on the poisonous milkweed and once the caterpillar hatches, it will eat its egg casing and then exclusively eat milkweed until it emerges as a fully formed butterfly. Milkweed is toxic to most species, but not the Monarch. In fact, the toxins from the plant will stay in its system after it has metamorphosed into a butterfly making animals who eat it very sick. Over time, they have learned to avoid it.
We planted our Milkweed last year to create a Monarch Caterpillar habitat and did not see any caterpillars (maybe I didn’t look at the right time though). While out in the garden we counted nine caterpillars, but the next day we only saw three. The following day we saw one cruising by our front door. It would seem that they don’t just stay on the Milkweed plant; they like to explore (or possibly they are looking for a spot to make their chrysalis. When picking them up, they are soft to the touch and tickle as they crawl across your hand. Raising them is easy, plant the Milkweed, keep pesticides away that kill bugs, and plant some plants that are attractive for pollinators. They do all of the hard work themselves!
How to grow Milkweed (Asclepias)
Milkweed is native to many parts of the US, Mexico, and Canada and it can be treated much like a wildflower. While there are many varieties of Asclepias, the Asclepias tuberosa is the strain that is especially popular for attracting Monarch butterflies to lay their eggs. Monarchs will mostly gravitate to butterfly weed. This species is native to the Eastern part of the U.S. The roots are perennial and steps rise back from them every year. The caterpillars will eat it back to sticks.
If planting by seed, plant in the fall before the first frost. Late summer/early fall is when the plant naturally releases its seeds in little plumes of fluff. Many garden centers have plants available in early to late spring to plant in your garden.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3+
Sunset Climate Zone: 1-24 – find your zone
Sun: Full Sun or Light Shade
Water: This species of Asclepias is very drought tolerant, but does require regular water.
Size: Grow in height to about 3 feet tall and about 1 feet wide.
Colors: THe most common variety has a cluster of orange flowers, but there are also strains that have yellow, red, orange or pink flowers.
*** For gardeners in the southwest U.S., Desert Milkweed or Asclepias sublata is a native and will also attract Monarchs in that area. This plant has pale yellow flowers and grows to about 2 -4 feet tall and wide.