Best Wildflowers to Attract Monarchs To A Garden

Butterfly Milkweed

The Best Growing Tips for Butterfly Milkweed in Your Garden The Butterfly Milkweed plant is certainly one of the most beautiful wildflowers in North America. Its beauty comes not only from its appearance but also from its fragrance. The plant that most people think of is A. Syriaca or the common plant. The Butterfly Milkweed blooms out in a star-spangled banner-type display. At the top of the stem is a myriad of tiny flowers colored in a watercolor-like light purple. They also bloom in most other colors of the spectrum. The plant is blooming in yellow, orange, green, and pink. To propagate themselves, these plants develop a seed pod that dries and then splits open to spread hundreds of seeds in the fall. How Butterfly Milkweed Attracts Pollinators and Benefits Your Garden Depending on the type of plant, it can grow from 2 to 5 feet in height. It grows in zones 3 to 9. This plant attracts the usual pollinating insects, such as bees, hummingbirds, and especially Monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies love this plant because it is their main food source and also supplies a secure place for the female to spread her eggs, mostly on the underside of the leaves. These plants are fast spreading, giving them plenty of room in your garden. They like from 6 to 8 hours of sunshine. A good place in the garden is where they are protected from the wind so that you can control the spread of the seeds. This helps prevent the plant from taking over your garden. This also provides a haven for the Monarchs. Caring for Butterfly Milkweed A Complete Guide to Healthy Plants Most Butterfly Milkweed plants do well in just about any soil. The exception is the Swamp weed, which requires moist and humus soil. Plant them in a well-cultivated flowerbed that has been worked to a fine mix. Add the recommended amount of fertilizer for an average soil mix. There is no genuine special care for the soil. Sow the seeds and tamp the soil. Water the flower bed and wait.

Blazing Star

Blazing Star A Stunning Native Wildflower for Vibrant Gardens Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), also known as Gayfeather or Dense Blazing Star, is a beautiful perennial plant known for its tall, spiky flower clusters that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Planting bare root Blazing Star is a great way to add vibrant color and texture to your garden. Here’s how to plant and care for them: Characteristics Family: Asteraceae Height: Typically grows 2-4 feet tall Flowers: Purple, pink, or white, arranged in dense spikes Leaves: Narrow, grass-like leaves How to Grow and Care for Blazing Star in Your Landscape Timing: Plant bare root Blazing Stars in early spring or fall. Location: Choose a sunny location. Blazing Stars thrive in full sun but can tolerate light shade. Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. They prefer sandy or loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Preparation: Soak the bare roots in water for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them. Planting Depth: Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots without crowding. Plant with the crown just below the soil surface. Spacing: Space plants about 12-15 inches apart to allow for growth. Care and Maintenance Watering: Water thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist until the plants are established. Once established, Blazing Stars are relatively drought-tolerant. Mulching: Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilizing: Generally, Blazing Stars do not require much fertilization. If desired, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut back the foliage to the ground in late fall or early spring. Benefits Aesthetic: Adds striking vertical interest and vibrant color to garden beds and borders. Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Low Maintenance: Once established, they require minimal care. Potential Issues Pests/Diseases: Generally pest-resistant but can occasionally be affected by powdery mildew or rust. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues. Overwatering: Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot and other water-related problems. Blazing Star Benefits Pollinator Magnet and Low-Maintenance Beauty Flower Beds and Borders: Adds height and color to mixed flower beds and borders. Wildflower Gardens: Ideal for naturalized and prairie-style gardens. Cut Flowers: Excellent for cut flower arrangements due to their long-lasting blooms. Blazing Star blooms from July to August, which makes it ideal because many spring and early summer bloomers tend to look quite drab after their early blooming period.Many people love to grow three or four in a decorative pot. An excellent garden idea is to make a complete path of the plants in your backyard using decorative pots. Another advantage to the plants is that if you have a lot of deer around, they tend not to be interested in eating these plants.