Nourish Monarch butterflies in your garden by sowing this carefully selected mixture of 15 annual and perennial varieties. Consistent with the latest research about the declining Monarch population, this mix includes a wide range of bloom times, including spring and fall flowering varieties to accommodate butterflies that are no longer following traditional migration patterns. If you care about Monarch butterflies -- and love the beauty of wildflowers in your landscape! -- you simply must find a place for this exceptional mix.

Milkweed (Asclepias species) is the only food source for Monarchs in their caterpillar state, and any garden devoted to butterflies will have Milkweed in abundance. This mix offers a bit of it as well, but it supplements with greater percentages of many other nectar sources (often more difficult for Monarchs to find) for spring, summer, and fall.

The two largest components of the mix are annual Candytuft (Iberis amara) and Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), followed by equal parts Rocket Larkspur (Consolida regalis), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), and Zinnia (Z. elegans). There are also smaller amounts of Gayfeather (Liatris), French Marigold (Tagetes patula), two species of Cosmos (C. bipinnatus and C. sulphureus), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), and Milkweed (Asclepias).

Combine this mix with various Milkweed species and a few fruit-producing plants, add a very shallow birdbath for muddying, set out mushy fruit as a special treat now and again, and watch the Monarchs flock in!

This mix is very easy to sow and grow. Simply find a sunny spot, run a garden fork through the soil to loosen it, and broadcast the seed freely, pressing it into the soil with boards or your feet. Then water, and your work is done!

Especially if your home is in an urban or suburban neighborhood, nectar sources for Monarch butterflies may be in short supply. These butterflies cannot stay where good sources of food aren't readily available. So restore the natural beauty and usefulness of the garden by adding Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Mix to your sunny soil this season!

This mix covers about 50 square feet of garden space. ¼ oz.