Monarch butterfly garden

 In my parent’s Los Angeles garden, I don’t have much space to spare- so I try and plant culinary native plants.  So when I read that native Narrowleaf Milkweed was used as a food source by Native people, I bought some. From Early February to mid March many garden store have milkweeds available for purchase.  (In California- my native plant growers are discouraging the purchase of tropical milkweed)- so do your research in which grows in your area. 

I thought buying 3 Narrowleaf milkweed plants would be enough for me and the monarch caterpillars to share- I mean, how much can a tiny caterpillar eat? (I’d raised paint lady butterflies- so I considered myself a pro) yikes! Apparently they can eat- a lot!

Above is the photo my very first monarch caterpillar to be raised in my garden.  I’d run out at least twice a day to check on my lil friend- then one morning s/he/it/they was gone!  I looked everywhere- on the floor, around other plants- I felt devastated!  I searched the web on what I did wrong… I found articles that stated most people focus on milkweeds and not other additional plants monarchs needs.  So I found an amazing video from Tree of Life (see resource below) that demonstrates on how to put several plants monarchs need all in one pot.

I went to H&H and bought a large garden tub because many comments stated milkweed and other plants need room to grow.  I added my ceanothus because I already had it planted with my milkweed.  Once the ceanothus begins to grow, I feel it will give protection and shade to the caterpillars. I can use it’s flowers as a soap and caterpillars and other pollinators can use it too- so this is for both of us.

The video suggested a White Sage.  I had already had the suggested sage - so I got an Allen Chickering Cleavland Sage  (some botanist believe it’s hybrid between Black sage and white sage).  Many articles suggest Cleveland Sage as a great substitute for the European culinary sage.  There are many types of Cleveland sage. So this is safe is for both of us to share. 

The next one the video suggested was a Verbena Lilacina de la Mina- (I know there is a lemon verbena that is used in teas- but I can’t find any resources that say this plant can be used in teas).  So this plant is just for monarchs.

The next plant I got was a Wooly Blue Curl.  I planted one in Baja and I loved the bubblegum sweet smell it released as I brushed against while planting.  It’s both a native edible and great for pollinators. So this plant is mostly for me, but I’ll share it. 

Then I planted a ground cover plant- Yerba Buena.  It’s a common plant that I had no idea was a native until I purchased it at Artemisia and read the detailed label.  I love it for teas and ice cream garnishes and also a few snips in my 7up. So this is mostly me and to protect the garden soil in the container garden.

Common Yarrow is supposed to be a great nectar food source for monarch butterflies, I tucked one in toward the back of the pot. So this is for the monarch butterfly.

I found a bladderpod which is said to taste like asparagus.  It grows really big- and honestly it was a spontaneous purchase- so this is a me for culinary use plant. 

I didn’t want to lose anymore monarch caterpillars to birds- so I place a mesh cover over it to protect them. 

I’ve seen 3-4 caterpillars on the milkweed plants, so they can keep the plants for themselves.  I had no idea how much monarch caterpillars struggle to survive: from finding a host plant, finding its supply of nectar food source and trying to hide from predators.  I found a new appreciation for these tiny guys. 

Resources:

Tree of Life Butterfly Container Garden: https://youtu.be/Dkm0MYuhbSU?si=AkyZcRp-GmikCtyO