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Monarch Butterflies Why should I care about Host Plants pollinator decline? FOR MONARCHS: Monarch butterfly numbers are at an all-time low Milkweed The North American monarch population has declined Preferred species for Fayetteville include: 1 by more than 80% over the past two decades . Many Butterfly Weed (Asclepia tuberosa) other pollinators, including honey bees, are in steep Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) decline as well. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) Pollinators play a crucial role in plant reproduction Green Antelopehorn (Asclepias viridis) Most flowering plants and many fruits and vegeta- bles require pollinators to reproduce. Our local food HOSTS FOR OTHER POLLINATORS: systems and the livelihoods of our farmers become (THESE VARIETIES CAN ALSO CAN ACT AS NECTAR PLANTS) vulnerable without healthy pollinator populations Asters (Asters) and the crops they help grow. Perennial. Bloom in fall. Used in containers and beds. Also act as nectar plants. Did you know that 70% of native plants and more than 30% of crops require pollinators False Indigo (Baptisia) to produce? Without pollinators, many of our Perennial. Blooms late spring. Used in containers favorite foods would not be able to grow. and beds. New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) Pollinator decline is Deciduous shrub. Blooms May-July. SAVE THE partially attributed to the destruction of their Sunflower(Helianthus) habitat by large scale Annual. Blooms July-September. agricultural techniques MONARCH that make use of her- Nectar Plants bicides like Roundup® which can wipe out the host and nectar plants Bee Balm (Monarda) Perennial. Bloom mid summer-fall. Used in BUTTERFLIES where pollinators find food and lay their eggs2. containers, beds, and borders. Deer resistant. Insecticides and other (and their pollinator pals) pesticides, particularlly Tall Blazing Stars (Liatris aspera) Perennial. Bloom throughout summer. Used in those in the neonicoti- containers, borders, and beds. noid family3, can be toxic to many good insects like Monarch Butterfly Purple Coneflowers(Echinacea purpurea) honey bees. Perennial. Bloom summer-fall. Used in containers, beds, and borders. Take this Strong pollinator populations are an indicator of Pollinator decline a healthy ecosystem Missouri Ironweed (Vernoia missurica) brochure to The Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Here in the Ozarks, residents and tourists alike spend Perennial. Bloom July-October. Used in learn about: their time and money enjoying our beautiful natural containers, beds, and borders. Deer resistant. Planting a pollinator-friendly garden world. Without strong pollinator populations, the land- scapes that provide economic and cultural stability Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) to our region may suffer. Perennial shrub/small tree. Bloom June-Aug. Used for erosion control. CITATIONS Woodland/Wild Phlox (Phlox divaricata) 1. National Wildlife Federation “Monarch Conservation in Perennial. Bloom April-May. Low maintenance America’s Cities” 2016 (PDF). ground cover. 2. Center for Food Safety, “Monarch Decline and GE Crops.” 3. Monarch Joint Venture, “Pesticides” 2016 (Web). Pollinators are animals that carry pollen from one plant to another, causing plants to make fruit or seeds. Many animals act as pollinators including bats, rodents, and birds. Have you ever walked by a patch of What are flowers and realized you had pollen on your shoes? Humans can be pollinators too! While all pollinators play important roles, this brochure will cover primarily the insect pollinators native to pollinators? our region of the county including butterflies, moths, bees, and wasps. See why here What can I do to help? How do I plant a pollinator garden? Learn more about the pollinator decline First, plan your space Choose plants that bloom in different seasons 1 Check out great resources like the US Forest Service , Look around for a sunny, wind-sheltered space. Most This assures that pollinators have a food source during 2 3 Monarch Watch , and the Monarch Joint Venture . host and nectar plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight breeding times and migration, and will also bring a per day. Your garden can be any size and can easily diversity of pollinators to your garden. Fall nectar plants Take the Pledge be added to an existing plot; every new garden helps! are especially important for migrating monarchs. The Monarch Pledge is Choose plants that a promise to create or Next, pick some pollinator-friendly, native plants Your garden should include Host and Nectar plants. will be various heights restore monarch habitat when blooming in your community. This creates “tiers” within Fayetteville’s Mayor There is a list of plants on the back of this your garden, improving Lioneld Jordan took the brochure that will help you pick native host and Pledge, committing our visibility and keeping city to restoring habitat in nectar plants in a variety of colors and shapes that many different types of parks and public lands. both you and pollinators will enjoy! pollinators happy. Find the Pledge online Grow Local, Grow Green at the National Wildlife Butterfly Weed Host plants are the nurseries of pollinator gardens Check to make sure your Federation website4. (Asclepias tuberosa) They provide shelter for pollinator eggs and nourishment plants are native, grown for larval pollinators. Many insects are host-specifc. The locally, and have not Join in at local pollinator-friendly events most important host plant for monarchs is Milkweed. Blazing Star recently been treated The City of Fayetteville’s Parks and Recreation Depart- Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants. (Liatris aspera) with pesticides. ment, the County Extension office, and Fayetteville Check the back of this brochure for some beautiful, Monarch Project host events that benefit pollinators native millkweed varieties. Finally... its time to plant! including invasive species removals and native plant Plant 3-5 of each plant together in a group. This give aways. Attend or volunteer! technique creates splashes of color which will attract monarchs and other pollinators to your garden. In Plant a pollinator garden the first few weeks after planting, watch for rot or Fayetteville is located pest issues on your young plants. along a primary monarch Watch and Enjoy flyway. By planting a Once the plants have pollinator garden, you can established, keep an eye help maintain and improve Female Monarch (Danaus plexippus) out for monarchs and other this corridor for monarchs pollinators. and other pollinators. You’ll also be strengthening your Nectar plants provide food for adult pollinators Have a camera handy to Nectar plants add color, style, and beauty to your snap some pictures of the Green Antelopehorn local food systems and our economy. garden while providing the nourishment that butterflies pollinators who visit your (Asclepias viridis) and other pollinators need to survive and thrive. garden! Monarch Pupa CITATIONS Photos of plants provided by Eric Hunt. 1. www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/ Share photos of your garden or the Photos of Monarchs provided by Monarch Watch. 2. www,monarchwatch.org/ pollintors that come to visit on 3. www.monarchjointventure.org/ Facebook or Instagram This brochure was created by Fayetteville Monarch Project 4. hwww.nwf.org/Butterfly-Heroes/Pledge.aspx @FayParksAndRec & @fyvgov and the City of Fayetteville’s Sustainability Department..
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