We are thrilled to welcome for the very first time, guest blogger Margaret Woodrum! Margaret, gardener extraordinaire, of Great Gardens, will share tips to help you attract butterflies to your garden as they migrate through the area.
Each year, in late summer and early fall, the Monarch butterflies migrate south to Central Mexico's Sierra Madre mountain range for the winter. Some on the east coast pass through South Carolina on their journey. Monarchs and all butterflies need nectar, water, shelter and lots of sun to warm their wings.
Some of the nectar plants they enjoy include milkweed, purple coneflower, Joe Pye weed, scarlet sage, zinnia, dahlia, and Indian blanket. There are several varieties of milkweed, which is essential as a part of their survival. Monarchs lay their eggs on the milkweed and their caterpillars eat the plant as they grow. Different species of milkweed flower at different times during the seasons.
The more milkweed plants that you have in your yard the longer the monarchs will stay during the breeding season in the spring and summer and may visit again in the fall on their migration to Mexico.
Call or email Margaret today to get your yard ready for fall.