Are you fascinated by butterflies –in particular monarchs? Create a beautiful haven for these wonderful migratory insects by growing milkweed and nectar-producing plants. Your garden will become a place where you can observe these flamboyant Lepidoptera. You’ll be helping to protect a species that is unfortunately at risk.
Steps for creating a monarch garden
Step 1 – Choose a spot they’ll like
Butterflies like warm, quiet areas. Set up your garden in a calm, sunny area that is sheltered from the wind. Choose features that retain the sun’s heat, such as paving stones, low walls, and natural stones, where monarchs can warm up on chilly days.
Include a patch of damp sand between flower beds. This little “beach” will make it possible for butterflies to get the mineral salts they need. You don’t need a big yard! Just a small area or a few pots on a balcony will do the trick!
Step 2 – Plant lots of milkweed and nectar-producing flowers
Milkweed is essential to the reproduction of the monarch butterfly as it is the sole food source for their caterpillars.
There are some species of milkweed indigenous to Québec, but recent studies onlythe case that monarchs that grow by feeding on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) or on swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) have wings that are the best developed for the upcoming migration. Read in our blog What’s the monarch’s favorite milkweed?
Milkweed provides nectar to a host of insects native to Québec and supports their entire life cycle. By planting it in your garden, you’re helping numerous useful insects in addition to helping monarchs, and all these insects really need our help!
If you’re gardening on a balcony, choose nectar-rich flowers. We no longer recommend growing tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) as it can harbour a parasitic protozoan (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha). This unicellular organism has the potential to infect the monarch.
Flowers rich in nectar
Adult monarchs feed off the nectar of flowers. Planting a good variety of nectar-producing plants is a valuable asset for your garden. If space permits, add more diversity by planting annuals and perennials as well as trees and shrubs.
Favor native plants that are hardy, well adapted to our climate and generally require little maintenance.
Select plants with staggered bloom times which will create an all-you-can-eat “flower buffet” that pollinators can visit throughout the season. You’ll learn more about the flora that surrounds you and make the butterflies very happy.
Here are a few suggestions for plant species that attract monarchs and other pollinators.
Step 3 – Tend your garden sustainably
Pesticides, even low-impact ones, are harmful for butterflies. These products can kill caterpillars and adults, as well as other beneficial insects. Avoid using them: other solutions exist!
Read up on the subject and take our advice and tips for making an environmentally friendly garden.
Step 4 – Help protect monarchs
Start by listing your milkweed plants on Mission Monarch. This data is key in helping to protect monarchs. Then, when you spot monarchs in your garden, enter the sightings in your Mission Monarch profile.
To learn more about the species, check out our page on monarch.
Did you know that …
Monarch caterpillars and butterflies are not eaten by birds, as they make most birds sick and birds have learned to avoid eating them. A monarch oasis can therefore be combined with a bird garden, for an even better Espace pour la vie garden experience.