A wonderful way to help Monarch butterflies is to create a butterfly haven in your own backyard. Learn about the plants and flowers that Monarchs need in order to thrive.
- Include plants the butterfly will need at all four stages of its life cycle. The egg and larvae stage are restricted to species of milkweed, while adults feed on flowers that are fragrant, rich in nectar, and large enough for the butterfly to land on. Favourite flowers are mainly from the asteraceae, or sunflower and daisy, family of plants. But adults are not discriminating browsers so any nectar-producing flower will do. In general, butterflies prefer yellow, pink, orange and purple flowers. (See the species list.)
Once you have determined which plant species are right for your area, contact a local nursery for information about obtaining plants of seeds.
- The ideal garden location receives sun for most of the day (butterflies are active between 10 am and 3 pm) and borders a treeline to provide shelter from wind and predators. (Some plants have specific habitat requirements. Please pay special attention to the “Habitat” and “Planting tips” sections for each species to ensure they are right for your property.)
- Do not use any pesticides or herbicides on your garden, as they will kill butterflies and other beneficial insects.
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Monarch larvae depend exclusively on milkweeds (the Asclepiadaceae family) for food and protection. This wildflower is found in fields, roadsides, and other open areas. There are an estimated 2,000 species of milkweed worldwide (most are found in Africa and South America). The species found in Canada are at their most extreme northern range and are found in every province except Newfoundland and Labrador. In this guide we have included only common species. It is best to plant species native to your locale.
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Monarch caterpillar, USFWS |
Milkweed is a perennial and once planted will brighten up your garden for many years. Only large insects, such as butterflies, moths and bumblebees, can successfully pollinate milkweeds. In nature, seeds are dispersed by the wind in the fall, but you can also collect them in the early fall and sew them yourself in late fall. Seeds can be stored indefinitely:
- For the first nine to 11 months store seeds in your refrigerator.
After one year store seeds in glass jars in a cool, dry place for up to seven years.
- Scaring the seed coat and exposing the seed to a few days of a moist, low temperature will break dormancy (scarification). This is required for some milkweeds and might improve the germination rates of other species.
- Seeds can be planted in the spring as long as the temperature has reached 15ºC.
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Monarch caterpillar snacking in milkweed |
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Also known as: silkweed
Bloom time: June to early August
Description
This plant stands 0.6 to 1.8 metres high and is normally found in large colonies. Drooping rounded flowers occur in clusters of pink, lavender or white. Leaves are opposite, oblong in shape and the undersides are covered in woolly, grey hair. Warty, grey-green seed pods begin to form in August to September. Once opened the pods reveal masses of silvery plumed seeds.
Habitat
This plant is commonly found on roadsides, in fields, meadows, and rocky flat areas.
Planting tips
Although common milkweed is often too invasive for most backyard gardens, it may be appropriate for larger acreages. It is important to note that it may interfere with crops such as oats, sorghum and soybeans. This species is best propagated from seed as it has large rootstalks making it difficult to transplant.
Conventional uses
Two types of fibre are obtainable from this plant: the long, quite strong bast fibre and fibre from the seed hairs. During the Second World War the seed hairs were used to stuff life jackets. The Chippewa Indians also used the flowers and young shoots for food.
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Also known as: rose milkweed, silkweed, water nerve root, white Indian hemp, marsh milkweed
Bloom time: last week of June through August and sometimes into September
Description
Swamp milkweed stands 0.9 to 1.5 metres high and is often found in large colonies. The flowers have elaborate hood and horn structures and are arranged in pink, flesh-coloured clusters. Leaves are opposite and lance shaped with short stalks. The seed pods, which mature between August and October, are slender and elongated and tapered at both ends. The juice of this plant is less milky compared to other milkweed species.
Habitat
This species is found in a range of wet conditions from standing water to saturated soil. It commonly occurs on stream banks, the shores of ponds and lakes, in sedge meadows, marshes and in low wet woods.
Planting tips
Swamp milkweed is a semi-aquatic plant that requires full sun exposure. This species is ideal for shoreline restoration. Seeds should be sowed in the late fall in outdoor flats and mulched lightly.
Conventional uses
This plant was cultivated for food and medicinal purposes by Aboriginal peoples who also used the root of the plant to induce sterility and to expel internal parasites. During the Second World War the military experimented with the sap of this species as a rubber substitute. Today swamp milkweed is most commonly used for wetland restoration.
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Also known as: pleurisy weed, yellow milkweed, orange swallowwort, orangeroot, whiteroot, Indian posy, windroot, Canada tuber, Canada flux, chigger flower
Bloom time: June to September
Description
This species reaches 0.6 to 0.9 metres high and is the only milkweed species that does not produce a milky juice. The flower clusters are typically bright orange, but can be yellow or red, and the leaves are alternate and oblong in shape. The slender seed pods are long, green, and tapered at both ends.
Habitat
Butterfly milkweed is commonly found along old country roads, abandoned roads and abandoned railroads, and fairly common in open sandy areas and dry fields, such as prairies or prairie remnants.
Planting tips
This favourite garden plant can be poisonous to livestock and therefore it should be planted appropriately. This species needs full sun to partial shade and fairly dry, well-drained sandy or gravely soil is recommended. Propagate this species from cuttings, best taken in May, or from seed. Cuttings or seedlings should be planted in the fall.
Conventional uses
The root of this species was once thought to cure pleurisy, an inflammation of the membranes that line the thorax and partially enfold the lungs, hence the name “pleurisy root.” Historically it was also used medicinally as a diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, laxative, astringent, anti-rheumatic and anti-syphilitic. Health Canada has listed this species as a restricted herb that may not be sold in traditional herbal medicine as it contains glycosides that affect the human cardiovascular system.
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Bloom time: June to August
Description
The poke milkweed stands 0.6 to 1.8 metres high. Its loosely clustered flowers are white with lavender or a tinted green. The leaves are opposite and oblong in shape.
Habitat
This species is commonly found in rich woods and wood edges.
Planting tips
Poke milkweed requires partial to little sun and moderately moist soil. It is best propagated from seed or seedling.
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The availability of adequate nectar resources is an absolute must for monarch habitat. The fuel monarchs require for their long migration south is obtained exclusively from fall wildflowers. The wildflowers in the following section are commonly preferred plant species for adult monarchs and are also favourite garden plants. Many of the species complement each other, for example wild bergamot, New England aster, and black-eyed Susan.
Bloom time: May to September
Description
Canada goldenrod is one of the most common species of goldenrod in North America and is easily recognized for its very tiny yellow flower heads atop arching branches. It stands about 1.5 metres high. Its leaves are alternate, canoe-shaped and coarsely toothed.
Habitat
Natural habitats include disturbed areas of moist to dry prairies, openings in floodplains and upland forests, thickets, savannas, limestone glades and gravel seeps. In more developed areas this species occurs in cultivated and abandoned fields, vacant lots, power-line clearance areas, and along fences, roadsides, and railroads.
Planting tips
Canada goldenrod prefers full to partial sun and average moisture levels. It will tolerate some drought, in which case it will probably drop some of its lower leaves. This plant tolerates a variety of soils. It can be propagated from seed or by dividing clumps in the fall and replanting them 60 centimetres apart.
Conventional uses
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod does not cause hay fever. This species is an important source of nectar for honeybees and is also used as an aromatic in some essential oils. It contains tannin and several shades of dye can be produced from its flowers.
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Also known as: starwort
Bloom time: August to October
Description
This species stands between 0.6 and 1.8 metres high. The large, rosy-lilac to deep purple flowers have distinct yellow to orange centres found clustered at the end of branching stems. The long, alternate leaves clasp around its numerous stiff, hairy stems.
Habitat
New England aster is commonly found in meadows, thickets, damp areas, and along roadsides.
Planting tips
This species is not the easiest variety to grow from seed but one of the most rewarding. Plants can also be easily divided in late fall and replanted. This should be done every two to three years. It prefers full to partial sun in moist, rich soil.
Conventional uses
The crushed leaves release an aroma similar to turpentine. Native Indians used the juice from crushed leaves to relieve poison ivy and the roots for fever, catarrh and pain. New England aster is very popular for wildflower gardens and makes an excellent fall cut flower.
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Wild bergamot |
Also known as: horsemint, bee balm
Bloom time: July to August
Description
Wild bergamot can reach up to one metre in height. Its pale violet flower clusters are solitary at the ends of branches. The leaves are opposite, long, lance-shaped, and toothed and have a distinctive mint-like smell.
Habitat
This rigourous species is often found in meadows with sandy soil and dry conditions.
Planting tips
Wild bergamot does best where animal grazing is light or moderate and should be planted in moist soil high in organic matter. It can be propagated by division or by seed and requires full sunlight.
Conventional uses
Bergamot leaves are wonderful as a fragrant herbal tea when three to four dried or fresh leaves are placed in a cup of boiling water with honey. Aboriginals used this plant medicinally as a stimulant to remove the pain of colic. Likewise, oil of thyme (thymol) is contained in this plant, which has been used as a stimulant and to relieve digestive flatulence and nausea.
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| Black-eyed Susan, USFWS |
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Also known as: brown-eyed Susan, brown Betty, yellow daisy
Bloom time: June to September
Description
Black-eyed Susan is one of North America’s most common and easily recognizable wildflowers. It stands about 0.6 to 0.9 metres high. The flowers are yellow-orange with dark purple-brown disks. Its leaves are alternate, oblong in shape and slightly toothed.
Habitat
Black-eyed Susan is native to the Great Plains but was introduced into Ontario where it has spread aggressively. It is usually found in coarse-textured soils in meadows, pastures, and edges of woods, river valleys, lakeshores and roadsides.
Planting tips
This plant only propagates by seed, which should be planted in the late fall or early spring in moist soil and full sun.
Conventional uses
Black-eyed Susan is primarily used for bug guards near fields and houses because the hairy stem makes it difficult for insects to climb. They also make beautiful cut and dried flowers.
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Also known as: milfoil, sanguinary, thousand-seal, nosebleed, carpenter’s weed
Bloom time: June to August
Description
Common yarrow stands 0.3 to 0.9 metres tall with dense white or yellow flowers that form flat clusters at the stem ends. The leaves are alternate, feathery and resemble carrot leaves. The foliage has a pungent odour, hence the name “nosebleed.”
Habitat
This species is commonly found in fields, along fencerows and in wildflower gardens.
Planting tips
The plant is easily grown from seed, which should be planted in the fall. They grow rapidly so the plants may have to be divided and reset each spring. Any soil will do although they thrive best in rich, well-watered soil where they have full sun.
Conventional use
The Forest Potawatomi used common yarrow as a witch charm by placing seed heads over hot coals and producing a smouldering scent. Aboriginal peoples also used this species to halt the flow of blood from a wound and modern testing has proven chemicals in the plant are effective in clotting blood. Pioneers found chewing on the leaves would help settle an upset stomach or help regulate the menstrual flow.
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Also known as: thoroughwort
Bloom time: July to September
Description
Boneset stands 0.6 to 1.2 metres high. Broad flat clusters of tiny white florets top the tall stems and the leaves are opposite, hairy and lance shaped. The leaves are very distinguishable because although they are opposite, they appear as one leaf with the stem poking through.
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Boneset |
Habitat
This plant is commonly found growing along streams and in low meadows and fields.
Planting tips
Boneset can be propagated by seed or by division in the fall or spring. It requires wet soil and full sunlight.
Conventional use
This plant’s perfoliate stem caused early herbalists to believe it would be useful in setting bones, hence the name “boneset.” Aboriginal tribes made a bitter tonic from its leaves and blossoms as a cure for fever and rheumatism. Today some people still believe that boneset tea can cure everything from broken bones to colds and coughs.
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