Monarch butterflies are in a steep decline and populations have plummeted 85% in the past 20 years. The migratory monarch is an endangered species. These insects bring beauty and joy into our lives.
So what can you do? Glad you asked! Today Im going to share with you a design to make a fabulous monarch butterfly garden.
I have two free downloads available. One is on the butterfly life cycle which is great if you are doing this with children.
The other is the monarch garden design I use.
Easy Care Monarch Garden
8X6 or 48 square feet and is easy to fit in a backyard
Full sun
Plant in spring or fall
Hardy in USDA Zones 3 -8.
Resistant to deer and rabbits
Low maintenance
Why This Garden Works
It is important to plant both host plants and nectar plants. This garden provides food for the developing caterpillars, nectar for adults, shelter, and water. We want to plant native species that will support the monarch in all of its life stages. This is my design for a great butterfly garden but feel free to swap out plants that may be more suited to your ecosystem.
Prepare Your Garden
You will want to dig or till the soil at least 6 inches. Dig in plenty of well-aged compost. These plants are not heavy feeders and tolerate a wide range of soils.
They will not need much fertilizer however a annual spring application of compost about an inch thick will work well.
You can purchase plants locally or I recommend PrarieNursey.com. Many varieties are also on Amazon from small nurseries.
A short video to help you visualize your garden.
Milkweed
Let's start with the most important plants first. Milkweeds. Milkweed (Amazon link) is the host plant and the monarch caterpillars eat the leaves. There are actually many species of milkweed. I included common milkweed in my garden since it’s pretty widespread. Swamp milkweed is also a common variety.
In addition, plant 1 Butterfly weed milkweed. They grow in a clump.
There are many kinds of milkweed so look for species native in your area. Milkweed are hardy perennials.
Direct Seed
Milkweeds are typically planted from transplants but you can sow them directly into the soil in early fall. If you have access to wild milkweed collect a few pods.
Milkweed seeds require cold stratification. That means they need to be placed in a cool place before planting. So you can either seed them in the winter when mother nature will naturally give them a chill time, or place them in the refrigerator for thirty days before seeding.
Planting
The common milkweed has pretty pink flowers. They are tall plants and need to be planted 18 - 24 inches apart. Milkweed will fill in so don't worry if there looks like there is a big gap between them.
They have deep roots so dig the soil well before planting. Likes moist soil. Can be planted from seed or transplants.
One thing to keep in mind is that milkweed is toxic to humans and pets. If you have small children or pets that like to chew you may want to place a small fence around the garden or put it in a place they don’t have access.
A (more) suitable fence around milkweed is a good idea if you have young children or inquistive animals as the plant is toxic to mammals. Gather a couple pods in fall after they have turned brown and ready to split open.
Echinacea or Coneflower
A hardy perennial with medicinal properties as well. Use the roots, leaves, and flowers. Great for teas and tinctures.
They become dormant in winter so don’t be alarmed when they “disappear”!
Sometimes takes until year two before it blooms. Be patient. Plant one per square foot. Water young plants weekly, mature plants are drought tolerant.
To plant Echinacea from seed, follow these steps:
Selecting Seeds: Choose high-quality Echinacea seeds from a reputable supplier or harvest seeds from existing Echinacea plants in the late summer or early fall.
Preparing the Soil: Echinacea thrives in well-draining soil with full sun exposure. Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil and removing any debris or weeds.
Planting the Seeds: Sow the Echinacea seeds on the soil surface and lightly press them down. Keep in mind that Echinacea seeds require light for germination, so do not cover them with soil.
Watering: Water the seeds gently after planting to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Consider using a misting spray to avoid displacing the seeds.
Germination: Echinacea seeds usually germinate within 10 to 20 days. During this period, ensure the soil remains consistently moist. Once the seedlings emerge, provide some shade to prevent them from drying out.
Transplanting: When the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted to their permanent location in the garden. Ensure proper spacing to allow for healthy growth.
For medicinal purposes wait for the plant to be in its second year before harvesting leaves and flowers (leaving plenty for the butterflies). Wait till the fall of year three to harvest roots.
Read my blog Starting a Medicinal Herb Garden.
Do you also love to grow vegetables - check out my new book on Amazon!
Asters
Asters bloom in late summer and early fall when most other plants are dying down. This makes them valuable food for butterflies and other pollinators.
Perennials that bloom in late summer and fall fill a much-needed gap for butterflies. There are many varieties. The New England (Amazon link) and New York ones are both great for monarchs.
You can start them from seed or potted plants. I personally have not had good germination when direct sowing. So I start seeds inside 4 weeks before my frost date. In southern zones, you can start them in August and plant them out in September. They won’t flower but will have a head start for the next spring.
They germinate well at 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some cultivars get four feet tall but most are around two feet. For the butterfly garden, I looked for varieties that didn’t get that tall.
Plant transplants are a foot apart. Pinch back stems to encourage full plants with more flowers.
Asters do enjoy slightly acidic soil. If your soil is naturally more alkaline dig in a 1/2 cup of soil acidifier in the soil around them.
Agastache (Hyssop)
Agastache also known as Anise Hyssop, is a tender perennial and may need protection during winter. Put some straw around them to keep the roots moderated.
Start seeds four weeks before your last frost date. Wait for them to get 4 inches tall before transplanting outside. It doesn’t do well with direct sowing.
Wait till after your frost date when the soil is warmed before planting them out. Plant them one foot apart. Expect them to grow slowly in the first year.
Water well when newly planted. They are drought-tolerant mature plants. It originates in desert areas so if your soil has lots of clay it will appreciate some sand dug into its bed.
The plants form a mound of leaves and shoot up a spike with flowers. There are several varieties that do well in the monarch garden - anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), licorice mint (Agastache rupestris), and hummingbird mint (Agastache cana).
They are also a good tea plant.
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Black Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans are in the daisy family and a cheery flower. They are a hardy perennial or a reseeding annual depending on the variety. Look for Rudbeckia fulgida for the perennial type.
Seed indoors four weeks before the last frost. They take about 10 days to germinate and like bright light and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plant one per square foot. They grow two-three feet depending on the variety. I try to get Blackeyed Susan and Aster varieties comparable in height since they are next to each other in the garden.
Water weekly until established. Once established they are drought tolerant. They are somewhat prone to downy mildew in late summer.
Alyssum
Alyssum is the only annual in our monarch garden. Quite honestly it’s one of my favorite plants and I have had great success with it in Zone 6. Butterflies and beneficial insects love it and it smells wonderful.
Alyssum is easy to start from seed and readily found at garden centers in spring. To direct seed start by moistening the soil. Then scatter seeds on top of the soil about two inches apart. Gently press them into the soil.
Alyssum needs light to generate so don’t cover the seeds. They typically germinate in under a week. Thin to six inches apart.
If you purchase transplants place them six inches apart and water in well.
Fun Fact: I grew alyssum this winter in my kitchen next to the cactus and under lights. They flowered and made the kitchen smell beautiful!
My pretty kitchen alyssum!
Mint
Mountain mint is a good choice for butterflies but choose a mint you enjoy and it can double for tea. I grow applemint and the butterflies love it and so do I. Applemint makes wonderful iced tea!
I have an article on growing mint here for more information on growing and using this fabulous plant.
Butterflies Love Applemint
And it makes fabulous tea!
Water
Water is important for butterflies!
Butterflies appreciate having a shallow dish to drink from. Put some stones in the dish that are slightly higher than the water.
You can also purchase a butterfly puddler.
You can also simply make a mud puddle! Butterflies will suck water from the mud. The advantage of this type is that they also get minerals from the soil.
Lots of Butterflies
So yes, this garden is targeted to support monarch butterflies but will attract many more! Swallowtails, American Copper, Red Admirals, and Fritillary all love the plants we will be talking about. In addition, you will be supporting native bees.
Author, Ame Vanorio, is the founder of Fox Run, an organic gardener, and wildlife rehabilitator. She loves to design garden spaces. Check out her Author Page on Amazon.
Mulch your newly planted garden with wood chips.
Herbs are used in many ways. Medicinal herbs are plants that can help support your overall health. Scientific testing is showing positive results that support the ageless wisdom of our ancestors. Herbs can easily be made into teas, topical creams, and tinctures.