After discovering so many new varieties of milkweed, my newest obsession for the spring season is to start a butterfly garden in my front yard that features a variety of milkweed plants. I think that it would not only be a great stopover site for migratory monarchs but would also nurture dozens of other pollinators as well. As an added bonus, it will blend perfectly with the “little patch of prairie” we put in a few years ago. Since the monarchs have already begun their northward migration, I have to begin planting soon.
Having already planted several native gardens, I knew that without careful planning a milkweed garden could quickly become an unsightly, weedy mess. Not sure how to begin, I turned to the designers at Embassy Landscape Group who shared not just a few tips for planning a butterfly garden focusing on milkweed, but also their reasons as to why adding milkweed gardens is so important.
As I studied his milkweed-rich modified prairie plan for the entrance to an area housing development, Clayton 
Holthaus, Enhancement Designer/Horticulturist at Embassy, shared his childhood memories of the excitement in chasing never-ending swarms of butterflies throughout the long summer months. His frustration that those experiences have disappeared for today’s generations of kids definitely came through. So, in his words, “...anytime he has the opportunity to help bring butterflies back, he will do it.” I’ve seen that sentiment shared by many of his colleagues.
Here’s a summary of their advice:
LOCATION
A wind-sheltered location is attractive to monarchs, as well as other pollinators because it offers protection for these delicate creatures. Strong breezes tire butterflies out and can literally damage their wings. A calm spot gives them a chance to rest and rejuvenate.
Since butterflies are cold-blooded creatures, they need the warmth of the sun to stay healthy and active. Placing large, flat rocks in sunny spots of the garden gives butterflies a place to spread out their wings, absorb the heat and rest. A minimum of six hours of sun per day is also beneficial for the nectar- producing flowers in the garden.
To keep most milkweed plants flourishing, an area of well-drained soil is ideal. Most milkweed species will tolerate a variety of soil conditions, even dry, rocky or clay.
Soil moisture levels may dictate the types of milkweeds that you can include in your garden, since some varieties, like swamp milkweed, need a consistently high level of moisture. Most varieties however seem to prefer a drier soil and are drought tolerant once established
Pick a site where you will enjoy it. Locating the garden where you can have a great view from inside and outside helps keep you connected to the wonders of nature that are happening around you.
DESIGN
Monarch butterfly migration map, USFWS, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/monarch-butterfly-migration-map
Entomologists at the University of Kentucky have determined that monarchs, when choosing a waystation, seem to have a few preferred design aspects that we feel are worth passing on to you. First of all, Orient the plants so that butterflies have an unimpeded north - south access. Since their migration patterns flow north - south, it makes sense that it would be a comfortable pattern, mimicking their migratory journeys.
The second thing that researchers discovered is, when given a choice, monarchs showed a distinct preference for the taller varieties of milkweed over the shorter. They laid more eggs on swamp, common and showy milkweeds than on butterfly milkweed.
Making the milkweed stand out from the other flowering nectar plants surrounding it attracts more monarchs. Researchers found that planting large clumps of milkweed and surrounding them with a circle of mulch brought almost twice as many butterflies as those simply intermingled.
Including a ground level water source is another factor that makes a butterfly garden attractive to pollinators. Burying a clay saucer in the ground, adding stocks that stand slightly above the water level and keeping it filled with fresh water creates a safe surface on which butterflies can perch to drink. An in-ground bubbling fountain that recirculates water is even better. A large, flat rock in the sun for butterfly sunbathing that is close to the water is always a welcome feature too.
PLANT SELECTION
Once you’ve selected the milkweed species that work for your particular area, then it’s time to choose companion plants that help feed the visitors and look beautiful in the garden. While flowering, nectar supplying plants are often the first thought, there are a few other types of plants you need to fill out a monarch/butterfly garden. Herbs such as parsley, fennel, dill, sage, oregano and rosemary are all beneficial plants that can feed your insect visitors and you too. (Several are host plants for other species of butterflies.)
Adding some annual bedding plants to the garden can give it all-season color, but at least 70% of the plants should be varieties of flowering plants native to the area. Native plants have micronutrients that completely match the needs of the native pollinators. Studies done under the guidance of Doug Tallamy suggest that pollinators who feed on native plants tend to lay more eggs and that a higher number of healthy offspring hatch. For an illustrated list of the milkweed varieties and companion plant suggestions, click here.
Make sure to select plants that will support monarchs throughout the entire season. Include milkweed varieties that are early, mid and late season bloomers so that both nectar for adults and food for caterpillars are available throughout the entire migratory cycle. Nectar rich flowers that have varied bloom times are also a critical element in a waystation garden.
WARNINGS
Asclepias curassavica
Do not use any type of pesticide or herbicide on or near a monarch/butterfly/pollinator garden. They will weaken or immediately kill any insect which comes in contact with the toxin or who eats foliage that has absorbed the poisons. Numerous studies have shown increased toxicities in other species of wildlife (think birds) who eat contaminated insects.
Be careful handling cut stems of milkweed. Milkweeds emit a thick, milky white sap from the tips of cut or crushed stems. The liquid does have a degree of toxicity, but it is not fatal to humans unless eaten in enormous quantities. It can however, on some people produce an irritating and somewhat painful rash. It’s best to wear gloves when handling m-ilkweed.
Beware of the tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica. This is a non-native species that is easy and quick to cultivate, making it popular with growers and suppliers. However, research shows that it brings more problems than solutions. It has the possibility of encouraging monarchs to lay eggs outside of their typical breeding season and it increases the likelihood of a deadly infection from a protozoan parasite. Xerces Society has released a fact sheet explaining their position:
“...thus we do not recommend planting tropical milkweed, even when sources of native milkweed plants and seeds are scarce. Beyond concerns about tropical milkweed’s potential negative impacts on monarch health, there is potential for the species to escape from cultivation, where growing conditions are favorable, and pose a threat to native plant communities.”
Once you’ve decided that a milkweed garden is right for you, visit Monarch Watch Monarch Waystation Program to fill out the paperwork to join this powerful movement. The monarchs – and all their friends – will thank you.
