A Monarch Butterfly brings Joy
In my heart I
Know
that I will
Grow
When I plant the
Seeds
that the Monarch
Needs
Cheryl Perrault
Monarch Home Garden
Milkweed is a perennial that grows from roots & seeds
The 'Pollinator Mound' blossoms (July)
Top Soil for the 'Pollinator Mound' (April)
Our Monarch Home Garden is in a thickly settled neighborhood, close to town. Fifty years ago, Milkweed plants seeded, on their own, in our garden. They have grown freely around the yard. Because of the Milkweed plant, our garden is enchanted with Monarch Butterflies. Milkweed is the ONLY plant that an adult Monarch Butterfly will lay her eggs on. Milkweed is the ONLY plant that the Monarch Caterpillar will eat. Milkweed is the most important plant in our Monarch garden.
Top Soil for the 'Pollinator Mound' (April)
The 'Pollinator Mound' blossoms (July)
Top Soil for the 'Pollinator Mound' (April)
In addition to the Milkweed plants, we wanted to do more for the Monarch Butterfly. We had an idea for a garden that we called the 'Pollinator Mound'. To explore the idea, 5 yards of soil was mounded at the end of the driveway. In full sun, the mound of soil was in a perfect place to try a variety of Sunflowers and Cosmos. We visualized a dense bouquet with variety of blossoms. On a mound, the flowers could grow tall and the blossoms would be over head which would make for beautiful photographs.
The 'Pollinator Mound' blossoms (July)
The 'Pollinator Mound' blossoms (July)
The 'Pollinator Mound' blossoms (July)
In May, we started a variety of seeds in pots: Mexican Sunflowers, Skyscraper Sunflowers, Moulin Rouge Sunflowers and Cosmos. In June, the sprouts were transplanted into the 'Pollinator Mound' garden. By July, the flowers began to bloom. On the blossoming plants, we observed Hummingbirds, Bees and Monarch Butterflies. The Bees landed on ALL the different kinds of blossoms. The Monarch Butterfly chose the blossoms of the Mexican Sunflower plants, exclusively.
Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed (July-August)
Milkweed Seeds Fly (October - November)
The 'Pollinator Mound' blossoms (July)
During July - August we observe adult Monarch Butterflies flying around the Milkweed Plants in the garden. They land on the fragrant pinkish-purple ball blossoms and the green leaves. The female Monarch Butterfly will lay her eggs on the underside of the Milkweed leaves. On all clear days in July, we can usually see 1 to 4 Monarch Butterflies flying over the Milkweed in zig-zag patterns. There are over 500 Milkweed Plants around the yard for the Monarch Butterflies to enjoy.
Monarch Butterfly Migration (September)
Milkweed Seeds Fly (October - November)
Milkweed Seeds Fly (October - November)
In the last week of September, we observed an influx of Monarch Butterflies. They were stongly attracted to the Mexican Sunflowers. The blossoms were high up on the 'Pollinator Mound' garden which kept the Monarch Butterflies safely above the activity of people and cars below. Two to Eight Monarch Butterflies were present all day. They would arrive around 10am and go flower to flower until 5pm. As the air cooled, they flew high into the sky and out of sight. The following day they would return or perhaps a new group would arrive. The abundance of blossoms made it easy for them to get lots of nourishment all in one place.
Milkweed Seeds Fly (October - November)
Milkweed Seeds Fly (October - November)
Milkweed Seeds Fly (October - November)
Milkweed plants start to turn from green to yellow in the fall. In Late September, the Adult Monarch Butterfly shows no interest in the fall Milkweed Plant. By September, the fall Milkweed plant has formed pods that are packed with seeds. During Oct - Nov. the stalk of the Milkweed plant dries up. The seed pods on the stalk split open. The seeds inside are each attached to fine white silk fuzz. When the sun warms the fuzz, it becomes very fluffy, light and sphere shaped. This silky sphere enables the seed to take flight when a breeze pulls it loose.