Every spring, monarch butterflies migrate 2,500 miles from Mexico to the United States and Canada. Even under the best conditions, this is a hard journey for creatures that weigh less than a gram and have wingspans of just 3 to 4 inches. Unfortunately, because of habitat loss and pesticide use, monarchs’ journeys are becoming harder every year.

The truth is, monarchs cannot survive off of vast corn and soybean fields. They need milkweed to lay their eggs. And monarch caterpillars need milkweed to eat.

1. Plant native milkweeds

If your yard has a sunny spot, you can help by planting native milkweeds like these: 

• Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), also known as rose or red milkweed. Rose-pink flowers bloom July-August. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Likes medium to wet soil.
• Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata). Creamy white blossoms bloom June-August. Grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Likes dry to medium soil. 
• Common or fragrant milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Lavender flowers bloom June- August. Grows 2-5 feet tall. Likes medium to dry soil.
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Orange flowers bloom June- August. Grows 2-3 feet tall. Likes medium to dry soil.

For a complete monarch waystation, add nectar flowers that will bloom from early spring to late summer.  Bee balm,  brown-eyed Susan, goldenrod, New England asters, purple coneflower, and zinnias are popular plantings for butterflies and pollinators. 

Free packets of mixed native seeds will be available in May to Sierra Club Woods & Wetlands Group members. The seeds will produce a variety of nectar flowers needed for butterflies, insects, birds, and wildlife for the pollination process. Milkweed seeds are also available to support monarchs' life cycle.

Email Bruce Glickson at bgmonarchs@gmail.com to request your free seed packet.  

3. Shop native plant sales  

Milkweed and other native plants also are available from a variety of local and online sources.  

• Citizens for Conservation offers online ordering for its spring plant sale through mid-April. Online orders will be available for pickup May 5-8 on the grounds at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 459 W. Route 22, Barrington. For information, phone/fax: 847-382-7283.
• Lake County Forest Preserves' annual native plant sale is May 11-12 at Independence Grove in Libertyville. Online ordering also is available. Check the website for details. 
• Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minn., offers ordering online, by mail, and by phone. They ship plants in May or June, when it is planting time. For information, phone 507-452-1362.

4. Attend a meeting 

If you’d like to do more to help save monarchs and other pollinators, consider attending  a Sierra Club’s Milkweed for Monarchs Survival Campaign meeting. Email Bruce Glickson at bgmonarchs@gmail.com for information on meeting dates and other activities.  

Finally, check out Monarch Joint Venture. A leader in monarch conservation, this nonprofit organization is building a national partnership of federal and state agencies, other nonprofits, community groups, businesses, and academic programs working together to conserve monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
 

Milkweed photos used with permission from the Citizens for Conservation website.