The Monarch Buffet offers an array of natives that support the entire Monarch butterfly life cycle, from egg to adult migration. It contains two different types of milkweed, butterfly weed and rose milkweed. Not only are these milkweeds beautiful, but they are also Larval Hosts for the Monarch and produce delicious nectar for the adults. The selection of plants will offer nectar from June through October to Monarchs and to all other pollinators.
A sunny location is best for these plants. Fall is the best time to plant and establish them as fall, winter and early spring conditions support strong root growth in native perennials.
This kit includes:
2-Butterfly Weed
2-Rose Milkweed
2-Blackeyed Susan
2-North Blazing Star
2-Showy Goldenrod
2-New England Aster
The plants in this kit are pictured in order after the first image.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Perennial
Sun Exposure – Full, Partial
Soil Moisture - Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height – 2'
Bloom Time - June-August
Bloom Color – Orange
Attracts - butterflies and native bees
Resistance - deer
Pollinator benefit - Larval host for Monarch butterfly, Grey hairstreak, Queens; good nectar plant
Rose Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Sun Exposure – Full, Partial
Soil Moisture – Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium
Height – 4'
Bloom Time – June, July, August
Bloom Color – Pink
Resistance - Deer
Attracts - butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Pollinator Benefit - Larval Host for Monarch and Queen butterflies; excellent nectar source for other pollinators; Xerces Society identifies as Special Value to Native Bees and Bumble Bees
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Perennial
Sun Exposure - Full, Partial
Soil Moisture - Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height – 2ft
Bloom Time - June through October
Bloom Color - Yellow to orange
Attracts - beneficial native bees, butterflies and birds; seeds for birds in fall/winter
Pollinator benefit - valuable to native bees
Northern Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa)
Perennial
Sun Exposure – Full, Partial
Soil Moisture - Moist, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height – 2ft
Bloom Time - August-September
Bloom Color – Purple
Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Pollinator benefit: especially good for native bees; good nectar plant
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Perennial
Sun Exposure – Full Sun
Soil Moisture - Dry, Medium
Soil Type - Loam, Sand
Height – 1'-3'
Bloom Time - August, September, October
Bloom Color – Yellow
Resistance - Deer
Attracts – Butterflies, native bees, birds
Pollinator Benefit - Late season nectar source; value to native bees for pollen and nesting materials; migrating Monarchs
New England Aster (Symphiotrichum novae-angliae)
Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height: 5ft
Bloom Time: August - October
Bloom Color: Purple
Resistant to: Deer, Drought
Attracts: bees, butterflies, birds
Pollinator benefit: Larval Host Plant for Checkerspot butterfly and various moths, late season nectar producer for all nectaring insects