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Depending on where you live (I am sure there are non-US equivalents), the local county 4-H and/or state Department of Natural Resources might have pamphlets and

Depending on where you live (I am sure there are non-US equivalents), the local county 4-H and/or state Department of Natural Resources might have pamphlets and even packets of seeds for local pollinators. I added several to my garden and got a lot of neat butterfly species to visit this year. One thing I learned from my local 4-H is that monarch butterflies only eat milkweed--the linked Wikipedia article clarifies that they only eat from the milkweed genus--but that was a surprising fact. The species within that genus are also not equivalent in terms of function for the monarch's lifecycle, as the linked article also mentions, so it's important to plant an appropriate species with respect to your location. In addition to milkweed, there many plants that butterflies (and other pollinators) enjoy--I've had great success with zinnias, coneflowers, yarrow, and a few others, too. So it is worth taking a look at the resources in your area and planting native pollinators when you can.

kulahan 3y ago
One thing I like to point out for people is that milkweed has the second-most advanced flowers on the planet, following only orchids. They come in a massive variety of colors and shapes, and usually multiple are available in each zone as a native choice, so you have a little flexibility. Definitely seconding the idea that you need to plant something appropriate for the monarchs that migrate through YOUR area.
- JadeNB 3y ago
  > One thing I like to point out for people is that milkweed has the second-most advanced flowers on the planet, following only orchids. What does "advanced" mean, of flowers?
  - philk10 3y ago
    means 'complex' - from Wikipedia " Five petals reflex backwards revealing a gynostegium surrounded by a five-membrane corona. The corona is composed of a five-paired hood-and-horn structure with the hood acting as a sheath for the inner horn"

kulahan 3y ago

One thing I like to point out for people is that milkweed has the second-most advanced flowers on the planet, following only orchids. They come in a massive variety of colors and shapes, and usually multiple are available in each zone as a native choice, so you have a little flexibility. Definitely seconding the idea that you need to plant something appropriate for the monarchs that migrate through YOUR area.

JadeNB 3y ago
> One thing I like to point out for people is that milkweed has the second-most advanced flowers on the planet, following only orchids. What does "advanced" mean, of flowers?
- philk10 3y ago
  means 'complex' - from Wikipedia " Five petals reflex backwards revealing a gynostegium surrounded by a five-membrane corona. The corona is composed of a five-paired hood-and-horn structure with the hood acting as a sheath for the inner horn"