Monarch butterfly population needs gardeners' help

An avid gardener in Sudbury is encouraging people to plant milkweed and other plants to attract monarch butterflies.

Some plants — especially milkweed — help attract that type of butterfly, which has been in decline in recent years.

Anne Boulton said she planted three milkweed plants near her composter in the backyard.

But there are others that can help the monarch population, Boulton said.

"Other plants that are important for nectar, like marigolds … sweet william, and vineas, bee balms, black-eyed susan, just to name a few, are important nectar plants for the monarch butterfly."

If everyone were to grow just one plant on their property to support the monarch population, their numbers would likely increase over time, Bolton said.

Science North in Sudbury is also letting milkweed grow on its property in the hope of attracting monarch butterflies.

Monarch butterflies and milkweed

10 years ago

Duration 2:25

A new Canadian study suggests the reason that the numbers of monarch butterflies have been declining in recent years is connected to milkweed plants

Morning North7:31Science North growing milkweed to attract monarch butterflies

It's a weed that Science North is happy to have growing on its property. It's milkweed and the hope is that it will attract monarch butterflies. The CBC's Marina Von Stackelberg spoke with Science North staff scientist Dan Chaput to find out more.