· French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
· +Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
· +Mayweather (Liatris spicata)
· Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
· +New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
· +New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)
· Phlox (Phlox spp.)
· +Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
· Salvia (Salvia spp.)
· +Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
· +Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata)
· Sunflowers:
· Violet (Viola spp.)
· +Wild Bergamot (Monaeda fistulosa)
· +Wingstem (Verbesena alternifolia)
· Zinnia (Zinnia sp.)
+Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)
+Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
+Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
+Stiff Goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum)
+Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
Monarch Butterfly Plants
Host Plant: Milkweed is the host plant for Monarch butterflies. Without it the larva would not be able to develop into a butterfly.
Monarch butterflies can get nectar from numerous species of flowers. Plants denoted with + are native to PA. Others do not seem to present a problem.
Sustainable Management Practices
References:
https://shop.monarchwatch.org/product/Waystation-Certification-Application-and-Sign-Bundle/190005 https://www.gardenia.net/guide/monarch-nectar-plants-for-pennsylvania
Monarch Butterfly Photo by Chris F from Pexels
French Marigold Photo by Eternal Child from Pexels
Phlox Photo by Pauline Morsch from Pexels
Goldenrod Photo by Tina Nord from Pexels
New England Aster Photo by Irina Iriser from Pexels
Return to EIYCU Spotlighting Three Concerns of the Season
ENVIRONMENTAL
INFO.
YOU CAN USE
Why? Because of pesticides, elimination of their essential host plant & loss of habitat. Each of us can plant for Monarchs so they have a reliable source of food for the larva and adults, and a reliable location to rest, lay their eggs and go through their life cycle before moving on. Wouldn’t it be great if all of Cheltenham Township becomes that reliable place? Here is a list of mostly native plants that attract Monarchs.
Monarch Butterfly Populations are Down 80%.
ONECHELTENHAM.ORG
cheltenham chamber of citizens
· +American Plum (Prunus americana)
· +Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
· +Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
· +Blazingstar/Gayfeather (Liatris spp.)
· +Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
· Catmint/Catnip (Nepeta spp.)
· +Climbing Hempvine (Mikania scandens)
· Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
· Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
· +Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
· +False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
· Floss Flower (Ageratum spp.)
· French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
Nectar Plants – Annuals, Biennials, or Perennials
+Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)
+Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus)
+Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolious)
· Goldenrod:
* Add other features to your garden (e.g.- fruit feeders, bee nesting boxes, other host plants)
* Amend the soil (add nutrients or other materials) to achieve proper conditions before planting
* Eliminate the use of insecticides
* Manage the density of the plot by thinning (removing plants to minimize crowding)
* Mulch around the base of plants to reduce the growth of weeds and retain water
* Remove dead stalks, etc. before the next growing season by mowing, burning, or by hand
* Remove invasive species from the site
* Use natural compost for fertilization
* Water the plot as needed to maintain growth
· Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
· Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
· Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
· Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)