Encouraging Monarch Butterfly Migration in Autumn: 7 Steps to Support the Monarchs' Migration
In the vibrant landscape of your garden, asters, with their purple to white hues, make a stunning addition. These lengthy bloomers provide food for monarch butterflies from late summer through fall.
These migratory creatures, known as "milkweed" butterflies, travel approximately 100 miles (161 km) per day during their journey from the northern reaches of Canada and the United States to warmer regions of southern California and Mexico. Their overwintering areas are located in the high-altitude Oyamel fir forests of Michoacán, Mexico.
To attract these beautiful insects to your garden, consider creating a monarch butterfly garden. This involves repeating plantings to give traveling butterflies ample opportunity to sample nectar-rich flowers. Asters, with their long bloom longevity, are a terrific choice for monarch fodder.
However, it's not just about the flowers. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, which is the only host plant for this butterfly species. The health of the milkweed plant, time of season, and prevalence of the plant are more important than the type of milkweed for the monarch butterflies. It's recommended to use native plants and seeds and purchase them from a single reliable source.
Female monarchs lay their eggs on all nine milkweed species, but prefer swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca). Planting each specimen in groupings of three or multiples of three increases the chances of a monarch visit.
Getting the neighborhood involved in creating a butterfly garden can also increase the chances of a monarch visit. Heather Andrews, a published author, photographer, and expert gardener who helps people create sustainable gardens to attract wildlife, support pollinators, and increase vegetable yield using native plants, emphasizes the importance of community involvement.
For those interested in learning more about supporting Monarch butterflies during migration, consider signing up for a complete course available on the Learning Channel. Heather Andrews' expertise is also available through this platform.
In addition to milkweed and asters, herbs like fennel, catmint, oregano, and more are both low maintenance and attract monarchs and honeybees. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you can create a haven for these beautiful insects.
So, let's work together to create a monarch butterfly garden and help these magnificent creatures on their incredible journey.
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