Common Milkweed in Bloom
A study just published in June that was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and conducted by the Monarch Conservation Science Partnership, re-confirms the importance of increasing milkweed in the landscape to restore monarch populations which have declined by over 80 percent in twenty years.
An earlier report (April, 2017) by the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that up to 1.8 billion new milkweed plants may be needed in North America for monarch populations to recover.
Although the June study stresses that this goal cannot be accomplished without incorporating milkweed into agriculture lands, it recognizes that participation from all sectors of society are needed. That means that we all can contribute. Although you can now purchase milkweed seeds from a variety of sources, all that is needed in many cases is to leave portions of the landscape undisturbed. On our property, milkweed plants have come back on their own and are found scattered throughout our yard. We do manage it, as it would easily take over in the garden or other areas that would be detrimental. One area that we have let it run wild is next to our compost bin. For the most part I don't have to worry about it, and strays can be easily removed before they get too large.
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| Milkweed, when left alone will spread readily |
Although I have not discovered any monarch larvae on these milkweed plants, every year I am hopeful. Now is the time that milkweed start to bloom and will attract butterflies and other pollinators such as this bumble bee (right) this morning.
If you do not want milkweed in your yard, the study also mentions the importance of planting a variety of native flowering plants since adult monarchs do not feed on milkweed exclusively. This will not only be good for the monarchs, but will benefit other species as well.
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