Fall is the perfect time to plant a butterfly-friendly garden here in Sacramento. With warm soil and mild weather extending well into November, your plants will have plenty of time to establish roots before the cooler months of winter and the heat of next summer. At The Secret Garden, we believe that creating a butterfly habitat is more than just planting flowers—it’s about supporting the entire lifecycle of these beautiful pollinators, from caterpillar to butterfly. Here’s how you can transform your space into a haven for butterflies like the Gulf Fritillary and the iconic Monarch.
Why Plant in Fall?
Fall planting offers several advantages:
- Warm soil temperatures encourage root growth, helping plants establish more quickly.
- Milder temperatures are less stressful on young plants, giving them time to adapt before the extremes of either a cold winter or a hot summer.
- Winter rains reduce the need for supplemental watering, making fall a smart, water-efficient season for gardeners.
What to Plant to Encourage Butterflies to Stay in your Garden
The correct food source for all stages of the butterfly life cycle is important and choosing the right plants is key to attracting the butterflies you wish to attract. Both Gulf Fritillary and Monarch butterflies rely on specific host plants for laying eggs and nourishing their larvae. Adding these plants to your garden not only supports these butterflies but also promotes a healthier ecosystem.
- Gulf Fritillary Butterflies: These vibrant orange butterflies are drawn to passion vine (Passiflora spp.) as their host plant. The Passiflora cerulea variety, also known as common passionflower, is a favorite for Gulf Fritillaries and will provide them with a place to lay eggs and feed their hungry caterpillars.
- Monarch Butterflies: Monarchs are famous for their reliance on milkweed (Asclepias spp.) for egg-laying and as a food source for their caterpillars. Varieties like narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) and showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) are native to California and thrive in our region. These are a must for any Monarch-friendly garden.
Nectar-rich Flowers for Adult Butterflies
In addition to planting for the larvae and caterpillars, you also need to consider what the adults will eat. Adult butterflies feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants. Plant a mix of perennials and natives that will bloom throughout the seasons to ensure a constant food source for your butterflies. Some excellent choices include:
- Lantana: Known for its clusters of vibrant flowers, lantana is a nectar magnet for butterflies and boasts a long extended bloom season.
- Yarrow: Yarrow’s flat, umbrella-like flower clusters are composed of many tiny florets, each packed with nectar. It is also known for attracting beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which help control pest populations.
- Verbena: Tall and airy, this perennial is adored by both Monarchs and Gulf Fritillaries.
- Echinacea: Commonly known as coneflower, this perennial is not only drought tolerant but also offers an extended bloom season which makes it a powerhouse for supporting adult butterflies.
- Salvia: Whether it’s autumn sage (Salvia greggii) or Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha), these drought-tolerant perennials are butterfly favorites and thrive in our climate.
Water Sources: Birdbaths and Puddling Stations
Butterflies need water too, but not in the way we often think. Rather than deep birdbaths or ponds, they prefer shallow water sources or damp areas where they can gather nutrients from wet soil. Here are two easy ways to provide water for butterflies:
- Shallow Birdbaths: A birdbath with stones or pebbles at the bottom gives butterflies a safe place to perch and drink.
- Puddling Stations: Create a “puddling” spot by filling a shallow dish with sand or soil and keeping it moist. Our pottery saucers work perfectly for this project and it creates a great opportunity to involve the kids. Watch your butterflies flock to this for both water and the minerals they need.
The Importance of Skipping Synthetic Pesticides
If butterflies are your goal, avoiding synthetic pesticides is crucial. Pesticides, particularly broad-spectrum ones, don’t discriminate between pests and beneficial insects. Spraying chemicals can kill caterpillars, eggs, and even adult butterflies. Additionally, these chemicals may contaminate nectar and water sources, putting the butterflies and other pollinators at risk.
Instead, opt for natural pest control methods. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which naturally keep harmful pests in check. By building a balanced ecosystem, you’ll create a safe and welcoming environment for butterflies while reducing the need for harsh chemicals.
Visit us during Butterfly Fest and Plant your Butterfly Garden this Fall!
At The Secret Garden, we’re passionate about supporting pollinators. Visit us this weekend, September 21/22, for Butterfly Fest and take advantage of our 15% discount on perennials. Look for our curated plant packs which take all the guess work out of creating a butterfly garden. Whether you’re looking to attract Monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, or a host of other butterflies, we have everything you need—from milkweed and passion vine to nectar-rich blooms. Plan to join the Butterfly Life Cycle Tour at 11am on either day of the event, to learn more about butterflies and how to create your own habitat for them in your garden. For more information about Butterfly Fest, click here.
Get started this fall, and by spring, your garden will be alive with color, wings, and the delicate dance of butterflies!
