Start a wildflower garden for monarch butterflies

Cozy winter evenings are the perfect time to dream of spring flowers, and here in the middle of a cold windy December we’re talking about planting a garden for everyone’s favorite, the Monarch butterfly! Read more about Monarch Butterflies here

Want to make your little piece of land welcoming and homey for butterflies? Keep reading to gather some great ideas on making your own butterfly garden.  In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to create a vibrant haven for monarch butterflies, turning your garden into a flourishing ecosystem.

Where do you live?

Before diving into the delightful process of creating your monarch butterfly-friendly wildflower garden, you need to know your garden zone. For some people this might be as easy to remember as their address, and for others, you might want to look it up on this handy map of the USDA hardiness zones. Understanding your garden zone provides valuable information about the climatic conditions in your region, helping you choose plants that are well-suited to your specific environment. By identifying your garden zone, you can make informed decisions about which wildflowers are most likely to thrive in your area. A garden that aligns with your zone is more likely to flourish, providing a sustainable and welcoming haven for monarchs.

Step 1: Research and Choose Monarch-Friendly Wildflowers

Monarchs need milkweed! Milkweed, the primary host plant for monarch larvae, provides essential sustenance for caterpillars and supports the entire life cycle of these iconic butterflies. It serves as both a nectar source and a host plant for their eggs. There’s a bunch of different varieties, and we’ll talk about which variety is right for your space below. Monarchs and other butterflies, like us, love lots of variation and color in their garden too. Butterflies also appreciate many other wildflowers including goldenrod, butterfly bush, cosmos, Lantana, Lilac, Zinnias, Bee balm, Cone flowers, and more. To help your wildflowers thrive naturally, research which wildflowers are native to your specific area. You can either choose specific wildflowers that you love, or buy a wildflower seed mix that includes a large variety of plants. This is what my daughters and I are going to do this spring!

Here are a few monarch butterfly wildflower seed mixes to choose from:

This beautiful wildflower seed mix includes only non GMO heirloom varieties and the packaging makes it a great gift all by itself!

This wildflower seed mixture features non GMO seed varieties designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. It comes packaged in a beautiful shaker so you can easily plant all your seeds evenly. This would be great if you have young children or elderly adults helping you start your garden

This monarch butterfly garden wildflower mix from Burpee is unique because it includes 3 different types of milkweed to ensure that your garden will be a haven for monarchs!

Step 2: Select the Right Location

Monarch butterflies thrive in sunny areas, so choose a location for your wildflower garden that receives ample sunlight. Keep in mind that wildflower garden can look more than a little “wild and free” as the plants grow tall and having a variety of plants together can look a little crazy. You might not want a wildflower bed right in front of your house, but a neglected spot along the sunny side of the garage, a hill that is difficult to mow, or the corner of the yard might just be the perfect spot for s beautiful monarch garden.

Ideally your monarch garden site will have well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, as excessive moisture can be detrimental to both the plants and butterfly larvae. However, don’t be too worried about this because there is pretty much a milkweed for every environment.  Here are a few varieties:

• Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a robust choice with clusters of pink flowers, attracting both monarchs and a variety of pollinators.
• Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) thrives in wetter conditions, making it an excellent option for areas with consistently moist soil.
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) boasts vibrant orange flowers and is well-suited for drier, well-drained soils.

By including different types of milkweed in your garden, you not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide a more comprehensive habitat for monarch butterflies throughout their life stages.

This collection of milkeed seeds features a 6 different varietes of milkweed so you can test to see what grows the best on your land.

Step 3: Prepare the Soil

Prepare the soil by removing weeds and debris. Hopefully there will be so many little wildflowers popping up that it might be a tricky to tell the weeds apart from the wildflowers you want to grow. With this in mind, do yourself a favor and weed VERY thoroughly before you plant your wildflower seeds.  Wildflowers typically prefer soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral. You may need to amend the soil with organic matter or compost to enhance fertility. Getting free woodchips from a local tree trimming company is a great way to get some mulch for free and enhance the soil. This will create an ideal environment for your wildflowers to flourish.

Step 4: Planting the Seeds

Once your soil is prepared, it’s time to sow the seeds. Follow the recommended planting depth and spacing for each type of wildflower. Most mixes suggest sowing in fall then letting the seeds overwinter so they are ready to sprout in spring, or just sowing them in early spring for a good start. Pay attention to how many square feet your seed mixture will cover and sow your seeds generously. I will be sowing mine in spring because I didn’t get the ground prepared before it froze this winter.  For milkweed, consider planting it in clusters to provide an attractive display and create a welcoming environment for monarchs to lay their eggs. Also consider planting it behind your other wildflowers because it can grow up to 4 feet tall and might overwhelm the other plants.

Step 5: Watering and Maintenance

After planting, water the seeds gently and consistently to ensure they establish roots. Once the wildflowers start to grow, maintain a regular watering schedule, especially during dry spells. Taking your time to make sure you grow native varieties will ensure that your plants have the best chance of growing easily in your specific environment. Be mindful of any pests (know your pests apart from your butterflies!!!) and take appropriate measures to keep them at bay, opting for natural and butterfly-friendly solutions.

Step 6: Create a Butterfly-Friendly Habitat

To attract and support monarchs throughout their life cycle, create a butterfly-friendly habitat. Place flat rocks in sunny spots for basking (small ones for them and big ones for you!), and provide a shallow dish with sand or pebbles in the bottom for drinking.

This little butterfly watering station is called a “puddler” I think that is just adorable!

Consider adding other butterfly-friendly elements, such as a few well-placed rocks or logs for resting.

This little insect house is a great way to attract all sorts of beneficial insects to your garden and would look perfect tucked into your wildflower garden.

Planting a wildflower garden to attract monarch butterflies is such a fun project that not only adds beauty to your outdoor space but also contributes to the conservation of these iconic insects. By selecting the right plants, creating an ideal habitat, and maintaining a welcoming environment, you can enjoy monarch butterflies and all their friends while promoting biodiversity in your own backyard. So, roll up your sleeves, grab some seeds, and embark on a journey to create a haven for these magnificent creatures in your very own wildflower garden. Unless it’s winter still. In that case, check out my shop for more beautiful butterfly art or learn more about monarchs here.