This monarch migration container garden is filled with nectar-rich fall plants. This container flower garden not only gives butterflies a natural food source, but also adds gorgeous seasonal color to your yard.
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After being so disappointed in the lack of butterflies in my backyard last summer, I am so pleased with the amount I have seen this summer. I'd like to think that I played a big part in that - raising caterpillars in my enclosure, along with adding numerous pollinator-friendly and native plants to my yard. I’ve especially seen many more monarch butterflies in the yard this year.
Now that it’s September, the monarch butterflies have started their migration towards Mexico. That’s quite a long journey for such a tiny creature. To ensure that they have enough energy to make their trek south, I’ve decided to plant a monarch migration container garden including a mix of nectar-rich fall plants that will last until the first frost.
Not only will these plants provide food for the monarch butterflies, but they'll also provide a rest stop as they migrate south. I chose one of my larger barrel containers to plant these flowers in. Using a mix of native perennials and fall annuals, this container garden is filled with a gorgeous combination of color that works beautifully for autumn.
Plants to Grow in Your Monarch Migration Container Garden
While I did include a native perennial to this container garden, I would definitely suggest using annuals when planting in a container. Perennials tend to do better in the ground. Since greenhouses in New Jersey are still in a seasonal transition, choices might be limited. But even one plant can help feed a butterfly during their migration.
- Zinnias: One of my favorite flowers to grow from seed. Colorful flowers are often visited by a variety of butterflies, including monarchs. Might be hard to find this time of year, but definitely a summer favorite.
- Cosmos: This wispy, cottagecore flowers also provide nectar to butterflies. Also easy to grow from seed and available as starter plants, but might be harder to find this time of year.
- French Marigolds: Marigolds are one of my garden must-haves each year. Planted in summer, these flowers provide color up until the first frost. They also attract beneficial insects making them natural pest control. Their flowers are a source of nectar for butterflies.
- Lantana: Lantana is a butterfly magnet! Its tiny clusters of flowers provide a good source of nectar. It's available in a variety of colors as well. It will bloom up until the first frost.
- Pentas: Pentas are also a butterfly magnet. Available in a variety of bright colors, the tiny star-shaped flowers are a nectar-rich source of food. You might remember me adding them to my Butterfly Nursery Aftercare Garden.
- Mexican Sunflower: Mexican sunflowers are an annual that grows tall with vibrant orange and yellow flowers. Since they bloom up until the first frost, they're a lovely late season addition to the yard that also provides food to butterflies.
- False Sunflower: False sunflower is a native perennial with nectar-rich landing pads that offer monarch butterflies a spot to rest, as well as food. They're available in a medley of gorgeous fall colors that add beauty to landscapes and containers.
- Verbena: Late bloomer available in a variety of colors. Clusters of flowers provide a landing spot as well as nectar.
How to Create a Monarch Migration Container Garden
For this container garden, I went with a complete fall color palette - reds, oranges, and yellows. The mix of beneficial plants makes this container garden a great stop for monarch butterflies during their migration. Since I've included a perennial, at the end of the season, I might move it to my pollinator patch where it can be enjoyed year-after-year.
To make my container garden, I grabbed a large pot and filled it with potting soil. I sprinkled fertilizer into the soil and mixed it into the top layer.
With my pot filled, I positioned my plants where I wanted them to be planted - the false sunflowers towards the back, and the lantana and marigolds on each side. So first, I planted the false sunfowers.
Next, I added the lantana. I grabbed the Lemon Zest lantana. It's a pretty mix of vibrant and creamy yellows.
Then, I tucked in the French marigolds. I grew Strawberry Blonde French marigolds all around my yard this summer, so I dug some out for my pot. Instead of classic red, yellow, and orange colors, these marigolds add a little variety with a mix of pinks, dusty rose, corals, peach, and yellow.
To complete my container garden, I also added a monarch butterfly garden stake (don't worry - this won't scare off any real butterflies). Then, I set my container in an open, sunny spot in the yard.
SUPPLIES
- 12-18" container
- Potting soil
- Optional: all-purpose fertilizer
- A mix of nectar-rich fall flowers like French marigolds, lantana, and false sunflowers
- Optional: butterfly garden stake
STEPS
- Fill a large pot with drainage holes with potting soil. If desired, add all-purpose fertilizer and mix into the top layer of soil.
- Position plants in the pot where you want them to grow. Then, plant each flower tucking the soil firmly around them.
- Once all the flowers have been planted, water thoroughly and set the container garden in a spot where it will get full sun and is easily accessible to butterflies.
- If desired, add a butterfly garden stake to the pot to finish the container garden.
Here in New Jersey, monarch butterflies will migrate between now through November. This beautiful container garden should last all the way into late October and early November, providing natural outdoor decor as well as an easy source of food for migrating butterflies as they make their long journey south. While butterfly season might be coming to a close, I hope to see even more butterflies in our yard again next spring.
Did you make this Monarch Migration Container Garden project? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
