Supporting monarch butterflies in Middle Georgia’s gardens

The monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable and well-studied butterflies around. The eastern populations are known to migrate from Canada to Mexico each year, making stops in Georgia along their remarkable 3000-mile journey. Providing plants to support the caterpillars and butterflies on their 3000-mile journey is one way that gardeners can provide these amazing butterflies with extra fuel to make the trip!

Milkweeds are one of the most common plants we hear associated with monarch caterpillars. These are the host plants that monarch caterpillars feed on almost exclusively. However, all milkweeds are not equal. Because of disruptions in life cycles, you should refrain from planting the tropical, or Mexican, milkweed and the common milkweed. Fortunately, there are a number of alternative milkweeds to support a healthy monarch population for your garden.

When selecting the best native milkweed for your landscape, consider your location. Is it sunny? Does it tend to be wet or dry? Here are several types to consider:

• Swamp milkweed is best for naturally wet areas. It produces pink flowers from July-September. The stems are 2-6 feet tall with flowers that attract a variety of pollinators. 
• Butterfly milkweed has clumps of stems reaching 2 ½ feet in height. It is a favorite with eye-catching orange blooms from June-August. This species thrives in sunny areas. 
• Whorled milkweed, an adaptable choice, grows in dry to moist spaces. It has beautiful tiny clusters of flowers with colors ranging from white and pale green to purple from June through September. It not only attracts pollinators but repels deer.
• Smoothseed milkweed, also referred to as white swamp milkweed, is found in wet areas such as swamps, marshes and ditches. It blooms from May through September and is shorter than the others, only reaching 1-2 feet tall.

While native milkweed is an important food source for monarch caterpillars, nectar-producing plants that bloom throughout the year should also be planted to support the butterflies. During April and May, premier nectar plants include native coreopsis, bluestar, salvia, phlox and butterweed. For the fall months of September and October, it is best to plant asters, golden rod, ironweed and blue mistflowers. These plants are critical as the butterflies refuel during migration.

Despite our best efforts to promote the populations of monarch butterflies, there are still heavily on the decline. There is a loss of habitat for breeding, migrating and overwintering. Disease and predators run rampant through native areas, and climate change continues to affect the healthy habits of these butterflies.

Research communities such as Project Monarch Health, Journey North or Monarch Watch offer additional recommendations to promote best practices for supporting the monarch butterflies. Scientists recommend avoiding the use of insecticides, particularly on milkweed, nectar and other pollinator plants.

Written by Bibb County Master Gardener Volunteer, Ellen M. These volunteers are  trained in horticulture by the University of Georgia. 

For more information from UGA’s State Botanical Garden of Georgia, visit: botgarden.uga.edu For questions, call Bibb County Extension at 478-310-5350 or email bibb.extension@uga.edu.