Monarch waystations ensure survival of this beautiful butterfly

Q. What is a monarch way station?

A. A monarch waystation is a habitat designed to attract monarch butterflies. Your waystation for monarchs can be most anywhere as long as there is milkweed.

The goal of planting a waystation is twofold. First, it offers a valuable food source for monarch butterflies throughout their spring and summer breeding. Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed as it is the only food source for the caterpillars. Without milkweed, monarchs cannot produce future generations of this amazing species.

Second, your monarch waystation requires flowers that produce nectar. As the monarchs migrate in the fall to Mexico, they will stop at waystations along the way to gain nourishment for their long trek to Mexico for the winter. In addition to providing a food source for Monarchs, your nectar rich plants will also attract other pollinators.

The monarch migration is threatened by the loss of natural habitats that offer these resources. You can help by planting a monarch waystation. It is recommended that your waystation be in an area that gets full sun (up to six hours a day) as both butterflies and butterfly friendly plants need full sunlight. You will then need to plant milkweed that butterflies use to lay their larvae. In our area, the best milkweeds to plant include common milkweed, swamp milkweed and butterfly milkweed.

In addition to the milkweed, you will need to plant nectar producing plants. Some ideas include annuals such as lantana, pentas, zinnias, dahlias and salvia. Perennial recommendations include fennel, garden phlox, ironweed, mallow, sedum, Indian blanket, purple coneflower, Joe Pye weed and butterfly bush.

Be sure your nectar plants offer staggered bloom times to give butterflies and other pollinators a continuous food source throughout the growing season. Remember that monarchs breed in spring and migrate in fall, so you'll want to offer nectar all season long. Be sure, also, that you do not use herbicides and pesticides in your habitat as it can hurt caterpillars and adult monarchs.

Planting a monarch waystation is a great way to attract monarchs as they migrate through our area in the spring and fall. And, you'll get to enjoy the beauty they offer as they flutter about your yard!

To learn more about creating a monarch waystation, go to www.MonarchWatch.org/ws.

- Wendy Reiner

Q. Do I need to water my perennials, shrubs and trees?

A. Are you planning to plant or have your recently planted perennials, shrubs or trees? If so, be aware they will require more water than established plants or trees that have been planted for a year or more.

Water is very important in getting new garden additions going. Container grown plants, trees and shrubs can dry out very quickly in warm weather, so it is a good idea to soak plants, shrubs or trees initially after you have planted them, then check often to prevent their drying out. Once removed from the containers, they will still be establishing their root system.

As a rule of thumb, both new and established plantings should receive up to 1 inch of water per week. If your area is experiencing dry conditions, they may need more water. However, problems can occur when the soil is both too dry or too wet for too long.

Both under watering and over watering can cause the same symptoms in plantings. Their leaves turn yellow with brown edges, and the plant or tree may droop and look wilted. After leaves and possibly flowers (depending on what has been planted) drop off, the plant may eventually die.

Before watering, you should check the soil to see if it is dry or wet. Because the soil here in Cook County is clay, it may be hard to judge the moisture level at times. Clay soil holds moisture tightly, giving it a cool, somewhat moist feel, yet the plant's roots cannot absorb the water. Soils amended with compost or other organic matter will prevent this from happening.

To determine if your plantings - both new and established - are receiving the right amount of water, several hours after your have watered, use a trowel to dig a small hole just outside the planted site. Dig down about half the depth of the root mass (for perennials) or root ball (shrubs/trees). Take soil from the bottom of the hole and squeeze it in your palm. If water drips out from your hand, you are watering too much.

If you spread a layer of organic mulch such as shredded leaves or bark around the stem of your plants, this will help insulate the soil against temperature fluctuations and will help keep moisture in the soil.

- Mary Moisand

• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines. Call (847) 298-3502 or email northcookmg@gmail.com.