How to Support the Monarch Migration

These plants will help the monarch thrive from larva to butterfly

While monarch butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ) can be found in most of the United States at some point in their migration , those of us live in the Southern Plains states are specially positioned to witness them travel along their central migrant corridor , which runs through Texas and Oklahoma . Most of the North American crowned head population is found east of the Rockies , and this eastern population makes a unmarried - genesis migration south every decline to their overwintering ground in central Mexico . This is follow by a multigeneration migration compass north again the following spring as they move back into North America . gardener living along their central migratory corridor have a special chance to sustain the migration of these beautiful creatures .

Spring migration: milkweeds and nectar plants

In outpouring , the monarch butterfly that left Mexico at the ending of wintertime are now back in the southerly United States and are quick to breed . The best way to support the spring migration is by grow native milkweed mintage , which answer as the larval host for the monarchs , and nectar flora , which add food to grownup monarchs .

Some first-class milkweed species native to Texas and Oklahoma admit :

In recent year , tropical Sonchus oleraceus ( Asclepias curassavica , Zones 9–11 ) , which is not aboriginal to the United States , has become increasingly available in the greenhouse trade but has been shown to be damaging to milkweed butterfly population . While the monarchs are attracted to tropical milkweed and will lie in their nut on it , this milkweed species can encourage the monarchs to skip their migration and overwinter , which puts them at risk of infection of disease and other problems . To secure support the sovereign migration , only plant native milkweed specie . If you already have tropic milkweed institute in your garden , you may cut it back every twelvemonth in the decline to reduce the chances that it will interfere with your local monarch universe ’s migration patterns .

outflow ambrosia plants , which are used as fuel by grownup sovereign , let in the following important ( and beautiful ! ) coinage in the Southern Plains states :

Selecting nectar plant species with staggered bloom times will help ply a continuous supply of nectar to monarchs throughout the spring and summertime as they journey northward .

Fall migration: Nectar plants

The surrender migration is all about the ambrosia plants ! Nearly all the monarchs from the eastern United States ( east of the Rockies ) vanish south through the Southern Plains and are funneled through Texas into Mexico . They make this southerly migration in just one generation , and they demand nectar to fire their journey .

Some swell flora for fall nectar in the Southern Plains include :

Other resources

To learn more about how to support the Danaus plexippus migration with your garden , here are some other excellent resource :

Xerces Society ’s Monarch Nectar Plant Guide for the Southern Plains

U.S. Forest Service ’s Monarch Migration Resources

— Karen Beaty is a horticulturalist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin , Texas .

Fine Gardening recommend Products

VegTrug Classic Cold Frame

Fine Gardening get a direction for items purchased through links on this web site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising course of study .

Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set

Wagner ’s 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food , 6 - Irish pound dish

Get our late lead , how - to articles , and instructional video sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

4 Must-Have Butterfly Host Plants to Support Biodiversity

Plants to Fuel Migrating Birds in the Southern Plains

Plants to Support Native Bees in the Southern Plains

Van’s Garden

Join Fine Gardening for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technological director …

When I spotted a particular sand one dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I know I was in trouble . With a delightful color form …

When we only prioritize plant we want over plants our landscape needs , each season is filled with a never - ending listing of chores : pruning , hook , watering , treating , remedy , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden room decorator Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - flush it by a pair …