Don,

I would assume they might have a preference but would take any Asclepias they come across. Maybe you should put up a billboard, “Eat at Don’s!” along their migration route.

I found this at http://monarchbutterflygarden.net/5-butterfly-flowers-attract-monarchs-and-hummingbirds/

“These 3 varieties are all monarchs host plants for caterpillars, and nectar plants for both monarch butterflies and hummingbirds…and lots of other pollinators!  (The same can’t be said for most other milkweeds.)

Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed) 
Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)”

I’ve grown all 3 of these. I didn’t see any interest in A cuassavica, but then, I only had a few plants.   Interestingly this site says purists, native-only advocates, are hell-bent against A cuassavica. However, the reasons for it really only apply to our southern coastal areas, so you might try it.  On another page it states Common Milkweed for Monarch Caterpillars Asclepias syriaca.  Apparently A syriaca doesn’t provide nectar but is still a host plant for the babies.

Oh! On their list of 6 irresistible plants was…. Verbena bonariensis! 

It’s disappointing to provide what they supposedly want and need and they seem to skip over my place. Shouldn’t they be showing up here in droves???  Oh well, I’ll keep watching…and wishing the Monarchs the best on their trek.

For years, I let a small patch of Asclepias syriaca grow in my front yard, only to find nary an egg or larva even though there seemed to be enough adults around.   Are there other species which they prefer?


-- Don Martinson
   Milwaukee, Wisconsin




On 7/29/17, 10:33 PM, "Kitty Morrissy" <1018@rewrite.hort.net> wrote:

So far it’s just one Monarch and one Yellow Swallowtail.
Last year I had only a couple of Monarchs but 8 Yellow Swallowtails. I have an area that’s about 10x12 of Korean Hyssop with a sprinkling of Ox Eye and Catnip. The butterflies and the bees seemed to adore it last year so now I’ve let it get thicker than ever. I hope they come; the bees have already been busy all over it. The lone Monarch seems to go for the Verbena bonariensis.
 
Any butterflies in your area?
 
Kitty