Plant THESE in your butterfly garden in September (They are irresistible to pollinators!)
Did you know there are 140 species of milkweeds? Here's how to choose the best one for your monarch butterflies and other tips to attract lots of beautiful butterflies.
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It's not too late to start a butterfly garden. In fact, September is one of the most important months for butterflies like monarchs, and a great time for native perennials to be planted so they can become established before winter.
Early autumn gives perennial roots a chance to establish before the demands of summer arrive. The lower sun angle keeps plants from drying out as quickly as they do in the summer, and the soil is warmer than the air on some days, so newly planted roots can continue growing while the plant isn't putting as much energy into leaves and flowers. There is also generally less competition from weeds and pests, so the plants will be virtually maintenance-free.
Hardy perennials and shrubs can be planted all the way through November, but make sure not to plant these too late into the season. You want enough time for roots to establish before the ground freezes and becomes unusable.
What butterflies are around in September?
Monarchs are perhaps the most recognizable butterfly, and September is an important month for them as they begin their autumn migration, which peaks through mid-September but will continue into early October. That makes September a particularly good time to teach kids about the difference between a butterfly garden and a monarch garden. Monarchs aren't just looking for flowers. Adults need nectar to fuel their migration, while their caterpillars need milkweed.
Why milkweed for monarchs?
Monarch caterpillars are specialized feeders and will only eat plants in the milkweed family in the genus Asclepias. The toxic sap makes the milkweed plant unusable for most insects, but monarchs cannot digest the chemistry of other plants and can metabolize those toxic compounds in the milkweed to protect themselves.
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is an excellent native milkweed that is easy to start from seed and can spread by underground rhizomes, so not only will it return next year, but it will spread from year to year.
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a tidy choice for home gardens. It has brilliant orange flowers, prefers well-drained soil and stays more compact than common milkweed.
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is perfect for a sunny spot that gets very wet. It doesn't have to grow in an actual swamp, but it could tolerate more moisture than other milkweeds. The flowers are pink and plentiful!
Other butterflies and plants to consider
You can also encounter painted ladies in September. Penn State notes that painted ladies can still be seen in early September feeding on flowers such as ironweed and thistle before migrating south.
And you'll still see various swallowtails, skippers and other summer butterflies as long as warm weather and nectar-producing flowers remain. September is particularly valuable because late-blooming native plants such as asters and goldenrod can provide food when many summer flowers are finished. Asters, goldenrod, coneflowers and bee balm are valuable native pollinator plants, but zinnias and sunflowers are examples of fantastic annuals. Any open-faced flower can make a good nectar source for pollinators.
About the Butterfly Garden at Island Harvest
Island Harvest Farm in Brentwood, Long Island, is a community-focused farm that grows fresh produce while providing educational and hands-on opportunities that connect people with agriculture and the environment. The farm also helps supplement the Island Harvest Food Bank with fresh produce for food-insecure Long Islanders.
During our visit, Cassidy Kirch, the director of Island Harvest Farm, talked with us about its butterfly garden, which provides an important habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. The garden is supported by native plants from the Long Island Native Plant Initiative, helping create a sustainable environment that benefits local wildlife. Learning about the butterfly garden showed us how farms can support biodiversity while also educating the community about the importance of native plants and pollinators.
