Entice Monarch Butterflies: Top 8 Blossoms Ideal for Monarch Butterflies
In a bid to create a thriving butterfly haven in your home garden, consider planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers that are favoured by monarch butterflies. These flowers not only add beauty to your garden but also serve as essential food sources for these magnificent insects.
The Purple Coneflower, or Echinacea, is among the best flowers for monarch butterflies. Known for their ease of growth and extended bloom periods, perennial varieties of this flower are particularly popular. Other native flowers such as Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, Canada Goldenrod, and Black-eyed Susan provide crucial nectar for monarchs, especially during late summer and early fall to fuel their migration.
Native milkweed, the only plant on which monarchs lay eggs, is another essential component of a butterfly garden. Common milkweed, while popular, can become invasive to local ecosystems. Instead, opt for native milkweed species that are well-adapted to your region.
Additional highly effective nectar sources for monarchs include milkweed species (both as host and nectar plants), Lantana, Butterfly bush, Salvia, Beebalm, Marigolds (orange-red or yellow), Catnip, Common sage, Garlic chives, Oregano, Mint, Parsley, and Thyme.
For a thriving butterfly garden, plant a succession of native nectar plants that bloom at different times of the year. Mimicking a wildflower meadow with clusters of these nectar-rich flowers helps butterflies efficiently feed from flower to flower.
Avoid using pesticides, especially systemic ones like neonicotinoids, as they can harm monarchs and other pollinators through nectar and pollen contamination.
Bee balm bushes, with their large clusters of attractive flowers, are frequented by monarch butterflies. Milkweed plants, as both host and nectar plants, are among the most common flowers that attract monarch butterflies. Bee balm is well-adapted to a wide range of climates, making it a good perennial for USDA zones 3-9.
Several species of milkweed are native, but some, like tropical or scarlet milkweeds, should be avoided due to their irregular bloom periods. Mexican sunflowers, easily grown from seed, are invaluable for late-season food sources for migrating monarchs.
Salvia plants, noted for their drought tolerance and purple/blue flower spikes, are often considered a key component of pollinator gardens. Zinnias, enduring flowers for monarch butterflies, are easy to grow from seed and continue blooming throughout the summer season. Lantana plants produce blooms in shades of orange, pink, and red to attract the most flowers for monarch butterflies.
For a vibrant and bountiful butterfly garden, consider incorporating these nectar-rich flowers to attract and support monarch butterflies. Happy gardening!
[1] Butterfly Gardening: Attracting Butterflies and Moths to Your Backyard. (2019). Timber Press. [2] Monarch Watch. (n.d.). Native Milkweed Seeds. Retrieved from https://www.monarchwatch.org/mart/native_milkweed_seeds.htm [3] National Wildlife Federation. (2020). Garden for Wildlife: Monarch Butterfly. Retrieved from https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certified-Community/Wildlife/Monarch-Butterfly [4] Xerces Society. (2020). Planting for Pollinators: Native Milkweed. Retrieved from https://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Planting-for-Pollinators-Native-Milkweed-Fact-Sheet.pdf [5] Pollinator Partnership. (2020). Monarch Waystation. Retrieved from https://www.monarchwatch.org/monarchwatch/monarch-waystations.aspx
- To supplement the Purple Coneflower and other nectar-rich flowers in your home-and-garden, consider growing additional perennials like Beebalm, Salvia, and native milkweed for a thriving butterfly lifestyle.
- In your home-and-garden butterfly haven, don't forget to integrate plants like Lantana, Garlic chives, Oregano, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, and Mexican sunflowers as they offer essential nectar sources for monarch butterflies, especially during late summer and early fall.
