Late Bloomer. Jan Coppola Bills

Borage Catmint Coneflower Cosmos Dill Goldenrod Hollyhock Lavender Parsley Poppy Rosemary Sage Salvia Sunflower Thyme Verbena Yarrow Zinnia

      The continued existence of butterflies is critical, too. These gorgeous creatures are cherished visitors in the garden. American poet Robert Frost eloquently describes butterflies as “flowers that fly and all but sing.” One of the most recognizable of our butterflies is the majestic Monarch, and we’ve all heard the disturbing stories of their habitat loss as they make their incredible journey of migration. The good thing is that gardeners everywhere are responding by creating butterfly habitat stations for these long-distance beauties.

      Did you know? Adult butterflies are attracted to red, yellow, orange, pink and purple blossoms that are flat-topped or clustered and have short flower tubes.

       Attracting Monarch Butterflies to Your Garden

      Here are four things you can do to attract Monarchs to your gardens, from my friend Kylee Baumle. She is a devoted advocate for Monarchs. Her latest book is The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly.

       Milkweed. Since milkweed (Asclepias spp.) plants are essential for a Monarch to raise their young, growing it increases your chances of attracting Monarchs to your garden. There are perennial varieties as well as annual ones and these can be grown in containers or in the ground. Consult with a local garden center to see which varieties grow best in your area.

       Milkweed variety. Provide more than one kind of milkweed if you want Monarchs to lay eggs in your garden and not just visit it. Like people, Monarchs seem to have preferences for their “flavor” of milkweed. Some prefer swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), while others flock to common milkweed (A. syriaca). By growing two or three different types, you’ll increase your chances of having Monarchs frequent your garden.

       Host plants for nectar. Monarch butterflies also need host plants to provide nectar for nourishment and energy, especially if they’re migrating. A few of their favorites are zinnias, goldenrod, coreopsis, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, asters, blazing star (Liatris spp.), and bee balm (Monarda spp.)

       Water. As Monarchs go about their day, they need water as well as food. Though nectar provides some, they will also seek out other water sources. You can provide this as easily as setting out a plate with water on it. The plate works best, rather than a bowl, because the water will be shallow and the dry edges of the plate provide a safe resting place for the Monarch to sit and sip.

      Want to invite butterflies to your garden? Plant some zinnias, coneflowers, asters and more

      A warning about pesticides: This seems intuitive, but be sure you aren’t sabotaging your efforts at attracting Monarchs (and other pollinators) to your garden by using pesticides. These can include fungal treatments as well as soil drenches, which can become incorporated into the actual plant. Spraying for mosquitoes will kill mosquitoes, but it can also kill butterflies and other beneficial insects. And just because something is organic doesn’t mean it’s harmless to Monarchs, so use with discretion.

       Leave the Leaves

      One day when I was playing in my garden, I bent down and picked up a handful of soil. It was a rich, black color and felt like gold in my hands; I knew it had everything to do with years of decayed fallen leaves. Hence its nickname: black gold.

      The garden practice of leaving the leaves is exactly how it sounds. Literally, leave the leaves. Did you know leaving the leaves is one of the most beneficial, economical and easiest garden practices you’ll ever do? I stopped raking my fallen leaves years ago and I am glad I did. I’m sure the neighborhood thought I was crazy or neglecting a necessary city seasonal chore, but today I have the healthiest soil in town and you can, too!

      Fallen leaves play a vital role in our ecosystem, they provide:

       Food and shelter for wildlife

       Fertilizer for soil

       A place for bugs to overwinter

       A natural weed suppressant

       Nutrients to the soil

       Protection for roots in winter

      Want another reason to leave the leaves? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says: “[L]eaves and other yard debris account for more than 13 percent of the nation’s solid waste – a whopping 33 million tons a year.” Need one more reason to leave the leaves? National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski says, “The less time you spend raking leaves, the more time you’ll have to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather and the wildlife that visits your garden.”

      The simple practice of “leave the leaves” contributes significantly to the reduction of waste in landfills, and the health and wellbeing of our wildlife and ecosystem.

      Warning: turning in your rake and breaking the habit may be easier said than done. But after a season of no raking, you and Mother Nature will be glad you did!

      TWO

       GARDENING WITH COMFORT AND EASE

       taking care of you

       There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.

      ~ MIRABEL OSLER

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