Spring Brings Monarchs

Many of us moved to Wimberley because of its beauty. That includes flora, fauna, and water. All of these need our help and attention to thrive as Hays County continues to experience rapid growth.

One of the most amazing critters that we enjoy is the monarch butterfly. This delicate creature makes an amazing 3,000 mile trip twice a year from the northern U.S. to central Mexico, and Central Texas is on the migration route. Though the monarch population has been in decline for years, this Fall Monarch Watch reported an increase in the butterfly count! I noticed this in my yard when, for a couple of weeks in October, my blue mist flower (Conoclinium greggii) had considerably more visiting monarchs than usual.

Monarchs need both pollen for sustenance and larval host plants. In early March monarchs will begin arriving from their overwintering grounds in Mexico seeking milkweed plants on which to lay eggs before dying. Milkweed plants are not easy to grow from seed and butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is the only species I’ve seen regularly in nurseries. However, there are several milkweed varieties native to our area. Be on the lookout for antelope horn (Asclepias asperula) and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). These are two that I have found in my yard. You’ll know you have a milkweed if you pull off a leaf, tear it in half and find a milky looking sap.

Milkweed species are not a likely choice for garden beauty, but they will help the beautiful monarch butterfly to thrive, and that is one thing that keeps Wimberley beautiful! So survey your property, and when you find a milkweed plant mark it as not to be mowed (If you want to do even more you can learn how to plant a Monarch Way Station at monarchwatch.org).

Becky Denton,

Hays County

Master Naturalists