Winter is a great time to plan a butterfly garden. Here's how to get started

It may seem a bit strange to be writing about butterflies in December.

After all, the solstice is just about to bring us winter. The Monarch butterflies are sunning themselves in Mexico and others are snug in their cocoons. The flowers that feed them won’t show for months.

Yet we gardeners are an optimistic bunch.

We can’t plant now, but we can plan and read and maybe sketch a little. At Coralville Vintage Co-op, where I live, our gardens are tucked in for winter. However, Bob Kelley, who once grew hostas by the hundreds, brought me an article on butterfly gardens a few weeks ago and enthusiastically suggested that there must be a place at Vintage for one.

To attract butterflies you need to grow certain plants. The Monarch butterfly has been in the news for many years because its favorite habitat, the milkweed plant, has been in short supply. Herbicides have had a disastrous effect on the Monarch, as has climate change.

Without milkweed plants to give shelter and food, the trip back to the north in the spring is a dangerous undertaking for the Monarchs. Also, the climate change has tricked them into flying north earlier, where winter may have been taking a snooze, and yet wakes up to spread some more cold and snow, just when they arrive.

Linda Schreiber, who is a Johnson County Master Gardener, tells me that on Dec. 21 a webinar on butterfly gardening will be presented by Zoom. You can sign up by going to the Iowa State University home page or call the extension office, 319-337-2145, and also ask about the gathering there to watch the webinar.

For several years the Master Gardeners have had a butterfly garden at the Johnson County fairgrounds next to their beautiful and creative demonstration garden. Carolyn Murphy has led this project since 2012 along with the fair committee, Forever Green Nursery, and many other Master Gardeners.

A hoop house was constructed and became the home for Iowa butterflies. During the fours days of the county fair, the house is open to all.

“It gives people a chance to see adult butterflies, eggs and caterpillars, which most have not seen up close,” Murphy said.

“The ambassadors of the insect world, the Monarch butterflies are released on the last day.”

It is a beautiful sight to see when they fly out into the world.

The Monarch butterfly needs the milkweed because it is the only plant they will lay their eggs on and the larvae will only eat from the milkweed. Adult monarchs will feast on other plants and that is why you see a variety of flowers in the hoop house.

Lucy Hershberger from Forever Green Nursery supplies the garden with a host of plants that she and her crew set up for the butterflies. This contribution is special as it allows the MG’s to concentrate on fundraising to buy the butterflies and to give the tours.

Top flowers butterflies like are zinnias and Mexican sunflowers, hyssop, goldenrod, butterfly bush and weed, and milkweed, of course. The list goes on and if you are interested in rescuing butterflies, do read up on the plants they need and like.

Alice Linhart, also a Master Gardener and much involved with the garden at the fairgrounds, tells me that “Iowa has 18 native varieties of milkweeds. Of these, six are fairly common, although some milkweed is not common in our area to my knowledge."

She suggests tapping into this website for more information: http://iowaplants.com/flora/family/Apocynaceae/asclepias/Asclepias.html

Butterflies and other insects will visit any size garden, even just pots on a balcony. A small yard that has tall plants like ironweed and milkweed in the back with smaller plants that are nectar-rich in front may be a focal point in your landscape. Of course, a large yard will give you a “carte blanche” to create a butterfly showpiece.

Check May 7 on your calendar as the MG’s will have a plant sale and flea market along with a silent auction at the fairgrounds with proceeds going to benefit the Butterfly House.

The importance of these creatures who flit about, land on us, drink from flowers and entertain, has been brought to our attention in recent years. This winter will be a good time to plan to plant a home garden for them.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Winter is a great time to plan a butterfly garden