It's Fall Harvest Time!

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Bagworms

Bagworms are caterpillars that form a small bag or cocoon-like pouch that hangs down on the leaves and branches of shrubs and trees. The bags are made of silk, with bits of twigs and leaves interwoven to disguise and strengthen the bag. The larvae or caterpillar eats the foliage of the plant. Their feeding can cause extensive damage to several different ornamental trees and shrubs.

TYPES
Twenty species in the United States.

HOSTS
128 plants. Mostly Arborvitae, Juniper, Cedar, Elm, White Pine, Honeylocust, Norway Maple, Hemlock & Spruce.

CONTROL
If your shrubs have a small infestation, pick the bags off the plant. Put them inside a jar or coffee can and dispose of them in a garbage can. Bags left hanging on the shrub or tree contain females that can produce 500 to 1000 eggs within the bag. They will overwinter and appear the following year.

Spray with one of the following: Sevin®, Diazinon, Thuricide (Dipel), Orthene®. Pesticides vary in strength. Always read and follow label directions when using pesticides.

Spray the entire shrub. It will take 2 to 3 sprayings, with a one-week interval between each. Treatment must be made when the bags are still small. Spray in late May and early June. Late June may still be effective. August or September is too late to spray.

The Landscape

Whether you have on old home or a new one you will benefit from trees and shrubs. Deciduous trees such as maples shade your property in the summer from intense heat and in the winter allow the sun to warm your home. And evergreens planted as windbreaks allow you to use your heat more efficiently.

Landscaping and landscape design goes beyond just creating beautiful designs. And while most elements will remain what they are for years to come, the one thing that most do it yourselfers and some professionals overlook is the space that tiny little sprouts will occupy when they become mature plants and trees.

You need to keep in mind the mature size of trees in proportion to the size of your home and other landscaping elements. Large trees can dwarf a small home and small trees can look like shrubs placed around a very large home. Know the mature size of trees and keep them in perspective.

Here are some favorites we have available here in our Nursery:


Viburnums (5 kinds), Arborvitae (5 kinds), Beautyberry, Ninebark, Dogwoods, Weigela, Spirea, Junipers, Abelia, Japanese Barberry, False Holly, Hydrangeas (many varieties), Boxwood, Japanese Holly Dwarf Crepe Myrtle

DOG DAYS This Saturday!

NATIVE PLANTS

WHAT ARE NATIVE PLANTS?
Native plants are those that evolved naturally in North America. Native plants in a particular area are those that were growing naturally in the area before humans introduced plants from distant places.


WHY LANDSCAPE WITH NATIVE PLANTS?
Landscaping with native plants has several appealing factors.

Native Plants Save Energy - These plants have evolved and adapted to local conditions
over thousands of years. They are vigorous and hardy, so they can survive winter cold and
summer heat. Once established, they require no irrigation or fertilization. They are resistant to most pests and diseases.

Native Plants Stay Put - Each native plant species is a member of a community that includes other plants, animals and microorganisms. The natural balance keeps each species in check, allowing it to thrive in conditions where it is suited, but rarely become invasive.

Native Plants Are Interesting - The diversity of native plants includes interesting flowers and foliage. Native shrubs and trees provide a variety of heights, shapes and textures.


GO NATIVE WITH 6 BASIC STEPS

1. Protect native plant communities and minimize habitat destruction.
It is very important to conserve existing areas of native vegetation as a whole, functioning unit. If disturbance is necessary, strive for minimum habitat destruction.

2. Landscape with native plants.
When new areas need to be planted, use native plants. These hardy and adaptable plants
do well in a wide variety of conditions and have a much better chance of success in gardens.

3. Learn more about native plants.
Research and learn what plants are native to your area.

4. Buy nursery-propagated native plants.
Cultivars should be predictable in attributes like height, color, blooming period or absence of seed, pods, thorns -- qualities many gardeners want. If your goal is genetic diversity -- ask for straight species grown from local seed sources (and not cultivars). Plants grown from
seed have much more variety than cloned cultivars.

5. Do not remove native plants from the wild.
Taking native plants from the wild depletes native populations.

6. Practice responsible landscaping techniques.
The first rule of responsible landscaping is to plant the right plants in the right environment. Never introduce invasive plants to your landscape that will aggressively spread off your
property and invade native plant communities.


WHY GO NATIVE?
It’s up to all of us to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Native plants bring benefits to land and water resources, wildlife and people and you can have them in your own yard!

Well-established native plants control erosion by holding the soil with their roots. They reduce flooding by slowing runoff. Trees, shrubs and groundcovers clean water by filtering out sediment and pollutants before they reach lakes and streams. Fish and wildlife depend on native plants for food, shelter and cover.

A naturally cared for native landscape is healthy for kids, pets and our environment. Your yard makes a difference!

Ten Reasons To Use Native Plants
1. They do not need pesticides or fertilizers and that is better for kids and pets.
2. They need less water and that saves money and resources.
3. Use them instead of grass and spend less time moving, raking and watering.
4. Attract wildlife, birds and butterflies.
5. Great for creating drought-tolerant yards.
6. Less expensive than non-native plants.
7. Help control erosion and reduce runoff, keeping pollutants out of our waterways.
8. Survive better than many ornamental plants.
9. Reduce problems with weed species.
10. Make your yard a true, natural habitat.



NATIVE PLANTS AVAILABLE AT ASHCOMBE
Broadleaf Evergreens
Ilex glabra (Inkberry Holly) ‘Gold Mine’ ‘Shamrock’
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) ‘Elf’ ‘Little Linda’ ‘Minuet’ ‘Peppermint’
Leucothoe fontanesiana (Drooping Leucothoe) ‘Rainbow’ ‘Scarletta’
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape Holly) ‘Compacta’
Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry Laurel) ‘Otto Luken’

Needled Evergreens
Chamaecyparis nootka (Alaska Cedar) ‘Glauca Pendula’ ‘Green Arrow’ ‘Pendula’
Cupressus arizona (Arizona Cypress) ‘Blue Ice’
Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) ‘Compresa’ ‘Gold Cone’ ‘Golden Totem Pole’
Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper) ‘Bue Rug’ ‘Limeglow’ ‘Mother Lode’
Juniperus scopulorum (Rock Mt. Juniper) ‘Sky Rocket’ ‘Wichita Blue’
Picea glauca (White Spruce) ‘Conica’ ‘Jeans Dilly’ ‘Rainbows End’
Picea pungens (Colorado Spruce) ‘Globe’ ‘R.H. Montgomery’
Pinus strobes (White Pine) ‘Blue Shag’ ‘Soft Touch’
Thuja occientalis (Eastern Aborative) ‘Degroots Spire’ ‘Emerald Green’ ‘Golden Globe’
‘Hetz Midget’ ‘Holmstrup’ ‘Little Giant’ ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ ‘Rheingold’ ‘Rockwood Gold’
‘Teddy’ ‘Umbraculifera’
Thuja plicata (Giant Aborative) ‘Greenn Giant’
Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock) ‘Jeddeloh’ ‘Pendula’ ‘Stockman’s Dwarf’

Deciduous Shrubs
Acer parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye)
Amelachier alnifolia (Saskatoon Serviceberry0) ‘Regent’
Aronia arbutifolia (Red Chokeberry) ‘Brilliantissima’
Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) ‘Autumn Magic’ ‘iroquois Beauty’
Calycanthus floridus (Sweetshrub) ‘Athens’
Carpinus betulus (Common hornbean) ‘Fastigiata’
Ceanothus x pallidus (New Jersey Tea) ‘Marie Simon’
Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) ‘Hummingbird’ ‘Ruby Spice’ ‘Sixteen Candles’
Cornus sericea (Redosier Dogwood) ‘Arctic Fire’ ‘Baileyi’ ‘Cardinal’
Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf fothergilla) ‘Blue Mist’ ‘Blue Shadow’
Fothergilla major (Large Fothergilla) ‘Mt. Airy’
Hamamelis vernalis (Vernal Witchhazel)
Hamamelis virginiana (Common Witchhazel)
Hydrangea aborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) ‘Annabelle’
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) ‘Alice’ ‘Amethyst’ ‘Little Honey’ ‘Pee Wee’
‘Sikes Dwarf’ ‘Snow Queen’ ‘Snowflake’
Hypericum frondosum (Golden St. Johnswort) ‘Sunburst’
Hypericum kalmianum (Kalm’s St. Johnswort) ‘Ames’ ‘Blue Velvet’
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Berry Heavy’ ‘Berry Nice’ ‘Jim Dandy’ ‘Red Sprite’ ‘Southern
Gentleman’ ‘Winter Red’ ‘Winter Red/Jim Dandy Combo’
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire) ‘Henry’s Garnet’ ‘Little Henry’
Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)
Myrica penslyanica (Northern Bayberry)
Philadelphus (Snow Dwarf Mock Orange) ‘Snow Dwarf’
Physocarpus opulifolius (Common Ninebark) ‘Diablo’ ‘Summer Wine’
Potentilla fruticosa (Bush Cinquifoil) ‘Abbotswood’ ‘Goldfinger’ ;Mango Tango’ ‘Pink Beauty’
‘Primrose Beauty’
Prunus pumila var. depressa (Dwarf Sand Cherry) ‘Gus Mehiquist’
Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) ‘Tiger Eyes’
Viburnum dentatum (Arrowhead viburnum) ‘Blue Muffin’ ‘Chicago Lustre’
Viburnum nudum (Smooth Witherod) ‘Brandywine’ ‘Winterthur’
Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberry Viburnum) ‘Alfredo’ ‘Redwing’

Trees
Acer rubrum (Red Maple) ‘Burgundy Bell’ ‘Red Sunset’ ‘Sun Valley’
Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple) ‘Green Mountain’
Amelanchier x grandiflora (Serviceberry, Juneberry) ‘Autumn Brilliance’
Betula nigra (River Birch) ‘Fox Valley’ ‘Heritage’
Carpinus betulus (Common hornbean) ‘Fastigiata’
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) ‘Ace of Hearts’ ‘Alba’ ‘Appalachian Red’ ‘Flame’ ‘Forest
Pansy’ ‘Lavender Twist’ ‘Little Woody’
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) ‘Cherokee Brave’ ‘Cherokee Princess’
Crataegus viridis *Green Hawthorn) ‘Winter King’
Gledistia triacanthos (Honeylocust) ‘Skyline’ ‘Sunburst’
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) ‘Burgundy Blush’
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) ‘Edith Bogue’ ‘Little Gem
Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) ‘Henry Hicks’
Malus (Crabapple) ‘Adirondack’ ‘Camelot’ ‘Candie Apple’ ‘Donald Syman’ ‘Louisa’ ‘Prairie Fire’
Nyssa sylvanica (Black gum tree or Tupelo) ‘Wildfire’
Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen)
Oxydendrum arboretum (Sourwood)
Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)
Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)
Quercus rubra (Red Oak)

Vines
Aristolochia durior (Dutchman’s Pipe)
Campus radicans (Trumpet Vine) ‘Flamenco’ ‘Flava’ ‘Summer Snowfall’
Celastrus scandens (American Bittersweet(
Gelsemium sempervirens (Jasamine) ‘Margarita’
Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) ‘Amethyst Falls’

Perennials
Adiantum pedatum (Northern maiden fern) ‘Imbricatum’
Agastache (Hyssop, Licorice Mint) ‘Apricot Sunrise’ ‘Pink Panther’
Agastache rupestris (Rock Annie Hyssop)
Agastache pallida x A. mexicana (Agastache hybrid) ‘Tutti Fruitti’
Amsonia hubrichtii (Narrow leaf blue star flower)
Amsonia tabernaemontana (Eastern blue star flower) ‘Blue Ice’ ‘Blue Star’
Aquilegia caerula (Rocky Mountain columbine) ‘Red Hobbit’
Aquilegia canadesis (Canadian columbine) ‘Canyon Vista’ ‘Corbett’ ‘Little Lanterns’
Aquilegia chysantha (Texan columbine) ‘Yellow Queen’
Arisaema dracontium (Green dragon)
Arisaema triphyllum (Common Jack or Indian Turnip)
Asarum canadense (Canadian Wild Ginger)
Asarum shuttleworthii (Shuttleworth’s Ginger) ‘Fallowway’
Asclepia incarnata (Samp Milkweed) ‘Ice Ballet’
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed) ‘Gay Butterflies’ ‘Hello Yellow’
Aster divaricatus (White wood aster)
Aster lateriflorus (Calico aster) ‘Lady in Black’
Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster) ‘Alma Potschke’ ‘Fanny’s Aster’ ‘Hella Lacy’
‘Purple Dome’
Aster novae-belgii (New York Aster) ‘Sapphire’ ‘Snow Flurry’ ‘Winston Churchill’
Aster oblongifolius (aromatic Aster) ‘Raydon’s Favorite’
Athyrium felix femina (Lady Fern) ‘Veronia Cristata’ ‘Victoriae’
Baptisia ‘Carolina Monlight’ ‘Purple Smoke’
Baptisia alba (White Indigo)
Baptisia australis (False Indigo)
Baptisia leucantha (Prairie False Indigo)
Baptisia sphaerocarpa (Yellow Indogo)
Boltonia asteroides (Bolton’s Aster) ‘Jim Crockett’ ‘Pink Beauty’ ‘Snow Bank’
Boltonia asteroides var. latisquam ‘Nana’
Callirhoe involucrate (Common wine cup)
Campanula rotundifolia (Common Harebell) ‘Olympia’ ‘Thumbell’
Centaurea (Bachelor’s Button)
Chelone glabra (Turtlehead)
Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead) ‘Hot Lips’
Chrysogonum virginianum (Golden Star) ‘Allen Bush’ ‘Pierre’
Coreopsis auriculata (Mouse-ear Tickseed) ‘Nana’ ‘Zampfir’
Coreopsis grandiflora (Common Tickseed) ‘Baby Sun’ ‘Domino’ ‘Early Sunrise’ ‘Heliot’
‘Santa Fe’ ‘Sundancer’ ‘Sunburst’ ‘Sunray’ ‘Goldfink’
Coreopsis rosea (Rose Tickseed) ‘American Dream’ ‘Limerock Passion’ ‘Limerock Ruby’
‘Sweet Dreams’
Coreopsis tinctoria (Tall Tickseed)
Coreopsis verticillata (Thread Leaf Coreopsis) ‘Creme Brulee’ ‘Golden Gain’ ‘Golden Showers’ ‘Moonbean’ ‘Zagreb’
Corydalis sempervirens (Rock Harlequin)
Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman’s Breeches)
Dicentra eximia (Fringed Bleeding Heart) ‘Adrian Bloom’ ‘Aurora’ ‘Candy Hearts’ ‘ Dragon
Heart’ ‘Ivory Hearts’ ‘King of Hearts’ ‘Luxuriant’ ‘Snowdrift’ ‘Snowflake’ ‘Zestful’
Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting Star(
Dryopteris felix-mas (Male Fern) ‘Barnesii’ ‘Cristata Martindale’ ‘Linearis Polydactylon’
Dryopteris goldiana (Goldie’s Fern)
Echinacea pallida (Pale Coneflower)
Echinacea paradoxa (Yellow Coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Conelfower) ‘Coconut Lime’ ‘ Fragrant Angel’ ‘Indiaca’ ‘Kim’s
Knee High’ ‘Kim’s Mop Head’ ‘Magnus’ ‘Pink Double Delight’ ‘Pink Shuttles’
‘Razzamatazz’ ‘Rubin’s Glow’ ‘Ruby Giant’ ‘Sparkler’ ‘White Swan’
Eupatorium fistulosum (Hollow Joe-Pye Weed) ‘Bartered Bride’ ‘Little Joe’
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset(
Eupatorium rugosum (White Snakeroot) ‘Chocolate’
Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie) ‘Venusta Magnifica’
Gaillardia grandiflora (Blanket Flower) ‘Arizona Sun’ ‘Baby Cone’ ‘Burgundy’ ‘Goblin’
‘Golden Goblin’ ‘Mandarin’ ‘Summer’s Kiss’ ‘Torchlight’
Geranium maculatum (Cranesbill) ‘Elizabeth Ann’
Helenium autumnale (Dog Tooth Daisy) ‘Coppelia’ ‘Feursiegel’ ‘Morheim Beauty’
‘Red-Gold Hybrids’ ‘Wyndley’
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower) ‘Gold Lace’
Heliopsis helianthoides (False Sunflower) ‘Asahi’ ‘Ballerina’ ‘Prairie Sunset’ ‘Summer Nights’
‘Summer Sun’ ‘Tuscan Sun’
Hepatica acutiloba (Liver Leaf)
Heuchera americana (Coral Bells) ‘Green Spice’ ‘Petite Pearl Fairy’
Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot) ‘Autumn Bride’ ‘Bronze Wave’ ‘Brownies’ ‘Caramel’
‘Citronelle’ ‘Mocha’
Iris cristata (Crested Iris) ‘Alba’ ‘Eco Bluebird’ ‘Powder Blue Giant’
Iris louisiana (Louisana Iris) ‘Ann Chowning’ ‘Black Gamecock’ ‘Clorific’ ‘Full Eclipse’
‘Pegalletta’ ‘Sea Wisp’
Lobelia cardinals (Cardinal Flowers) ‘Queen Victoria’
Lobelia siphilitica (Giant Blue Lobelia)
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Blue Bells)
Monarda didyma (Common Bee Balm) ‘Aquarius’ ‘Blue Stocking’ ‘Clare Grace’ ‘Colrain Red’
‘Dark Ponticum’ ‘Fire Ball’ ‘Grand Marshall’ and many more
Oenothera fruticosa (Common Sundrops)
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)
Panisum virgatum (Switch Grass)
Penstemon digitalis (Smooth White Penstemon) ‘Husker Red’
Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) ‘Blue Elf’ ‘Charles Ricardo’ ‘Loamphamii’ ‘London Grove
Blue’ ‘Clouds of Perfume’ ‘ May Breeze’ ‘Montrose Bicolor’ and many more
Phlox manculata (Spotted Phlox) ‘Flower Power’ ‘Natasha’
Phlox paniculata (Summer Phlox) ‘Baby Face’ ‘Becky Towe’ ‘Blue Boy’ ‘Blue Paradise’
and many more
Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox) ‘Blue Ridge’ ‘Bruce’s White’ ‘Home Fires’ ‘Pink Ridge’
‘Sherwood Purple’
Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox) ‘Autropupurea’ ‘Candy Stripe’ ‘Coral Eyes’ ‘Crimson Beauty’
‘Emerald Blue’ ‘Foot Hill’ ‘Snow Flake’ ‘White Delight’ and more
Physostegia virginiana (Obedient Plant) ‘Miss Manners’ ‘Olympic Gold’ ‘Vivid’ ‘Variegata’
Podophyllum peltatum (May Apple)
Polygonatum biflorum (Small Solomen’s Seal)
Ratibida columnifera (Prairie Cornflower) ‘Red’ ‘Yellow’
Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange Coneflower) ‘Goldstrum’ ‘Viette’s Little Suzy’
Rudbeckia subtomentosa (Sweet Coneflower) ‘Henry Eilers’
Rudbeckia maxima (Great Coneflower)
Sisyrinchium angusfolium (Common Blue-Eyed Grass) ‘Lucerne’
Smilacina racemosa (False Solomen’s Seal)
Solidago rugosa (Showy Goldenrod) Fireworks’
Solidage sphacelata (Autumn Goldenrod) ‘Golden Fleece’
Spigelia marilandica (Indian Pink)
Spiranthes odorata (Nodding Lady’s Tresses)
Stokesia laevis (Stokes Aster) ‘Blue Danube’ ‘Mary Gregory’ ‘Omega Sky Rocket’ ‘Peaches
Pink’ ‘Silver Moon’
Termopsis caroliniana (Carolina Lupine)
Tiarella cordifolia (Allegheny foamflower) ‘Black Snow Flake’ ‘Collina’ ‘Dark Star’ ‘Neon Lights’
‘Oak Leaf’ and many more
Tradescentia virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort) ‘Caerulea Plena’
Trillium erectum (Stinking Benjamin)
Trillium grandiflorum (Great White Trillium)
Trillium luteum (Yellow Trillium)
Verbena Canadensis (Rose Verbena) ‘Homestead Purple’ ‘Sissinghurst’ ‘Taylortown Red’
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root) ‘Alba’ ‘Apollo’ ‘Lavender Towers’ ‘Pink Glow’
‘Temptation’
Viola labradorica (Violet)
Viola pedata (Birds Foot Violet) ‘Eco Artist Palette’
Yucca filamentosa (Adam’s Needle) ‘Bright Edge’ ‘Color Guard’ ‘Golden Sword’

Migratory Behavior 

Of The 

Monarch Butterfly

The awesome sight of hundreds of monarch butterflies flying by inspires a feeling of wonder in all who are lucky enough to see such a beautiful sight.  Many do not know the ordeal that these creatures must undergo during their life span.  The migration cycle of the monarch presents numerous obstacles in 

which many lose their lives.  No one truly understands why these creatures make such a dangerous 

journey, but there are many hypotheses as to the reason why.

Life/Reproduction Cycle

A monarch butterfly goes through a complete metamorphosis involving four sages:  egg, larva (or 

caterpillar), pupa and adult.  In addition, each individual monarch contributes to a larger population life cycle, involving many generations.  The fall migrants are usually 3 or more generations removed from 

the monarchs that overwintered in Mexico during the previous winter.  In other words, each fall the last generation of the monarchs must navigate to a location up to 2000 miles away, which they’ve never 

visited.

As they migrate north in the spring, monarchs lay eggs on milkweed along the way.  These larvae appear in the southern return path in March and early April.  This generation will also migrate North following their parents.  The reproductive cycle continues and by August to early September, three to four generations will have evolved. 

It would be nearly impossible for an individual monarch butterfly to complete this entire migratory cycle.  Because of this, their rapid system of reproduction is of great importance to the survival of the species and the completion of the migratory cycle from year to year.

Migrational Pattern/Behavior:

The migration of the monarch butterfly begins in Canada and the northernmost parts of the United States.  the fall migration begins in late August ending in the months of November and December.  The destination of the butterflies lies in Central Mexico, in the Oyamel forests.  Traveling in a southwesterly direction, the monarchs fly east of the Great Lakes and south-southwest in areas west of the Great Lakes.  Those that reach the Gulf of Mexico follow the coastline in a continuous stream.  They continue in a southwest direction eventually reaching the overwintering site in the Transvolcanic Plateau of Mexico.  As many as 300 million spend the winter there.

During the migration, monarchs encounter many dangers.  These dangers include storms, predators, humans, cars and simple fatigue.  This migration takes up to three generations to complete!  The exact migratory path is still being plotted today by scientists.

The monarchs travel approximately 50 miles per day and feed on flowers to gain carbohydrates 

from nectars.  Monarch speed flights have been measured at 12 miles per hour.  They roost in large clusters in the branches and trunks of the oyamel trees.    In mid-February, the monarch’s mating behavior begins.  By the end of February, some of the monarchs begin moving northward, by mid-March the roosts are empty.  40-60 percent of the monarchs die during their stay in Mexico.  During the spring migration, the monarch butterflies return to their homes in Canada and the northern most parts of the United States.  

Conservation

“No other animal is more typical of a healthy environment, nor more susceptible to change, than a butterfly” (Feltwell 1986).  Monarchs have no control over what happens to their environment, they can only respond to what changes occur, which usually means either surviving or dying.  Humans are the ones who have the most control over what will happen to the monarch butterfly population and the biggest problem that the monarchs face is the loss of habitat.

There are only about a dozen known wintering sites in Mexico.  Each site is approximately 7.5 acres and contains millions of butterflies.  Damage to even one site would be catastrophic to the monarch population.  Only two of these sights are well protected from logging.  If the roost sites are destroyed, monarch populations are likely to decline.  Protection of the roost sites will be difficult since 

preservation of these sites and the monarch will conflict with the increasing needs and changing priorities of a growing Mexican population.

Milkweed, the host plant of the monarch, is also a concern.  In Canada, milkweed has been declared a noxious weed.  This means that the plant is considered illegal and cannot be allowed to grow on private or public lands in Canada.  Although not labeled noxious in the states, farmers consider the plant a nuisance to crops and often use herbicides to control it along with other weeds.  More and more roadsides are being planted in grass instead of being allowed to overgrow with wildflowers and weeds.  The result is that the butterflies have fewer places in the wild to find nectar and lay eggs.

Conclusion

So what can be done to help preserve the monarch population?  The most important issue is to stop the destruction of the monarch’s habitat.  One thing that we can do on our own properties is to plant Milkweed and Butterfly Weed.  Make your backyard a monarch preserve and cater to these amazing creatures before it’s too late.  

Monarch butterflies are incredibly fascinating creatures.  Only recently have their life and migratory cycles been studied and recorded.  We hope that this glimpse into the life of the monarch butterfly has helped you to appreciate more than just their breathtaking appearance.  

(check out http://butterflywebsite.com/Articles/uminn/monarchs.html for more information)

Butterfly Day This Saturday!

BUTTERFLY 

DAY!

Saturday, August 3rd, 

2013 9am-3pm

               DISPLAYS

•  PA Butterflies & Caterpillars

•  Host Plants

•  Plants for Attracting Butterflies

•  Migratory Cycle of the Monarch

•  Differences Between Moths & 

     Butterflies

•  Anatomy of a Butterfly

•  Living Butterfly House

•  Natural Pest Repellents

PROGRAMS

•  11am - FREE Tour of our
      Butterfly Garden
•  1pm - Caring for your
      Butterfly Bush - FREE

BUTTERFLY RELEASE AT NOON

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

•  Butterfly & Caterpillar Crafts

•  Make Your Own Antennae

•  Vegetable Tasting

•  Face Painting 

1. Butterfly merchandise, 
2. products, info and more!

Monroe Fire Company will have their delicious chicken barbecue meal for sale today!