The ‘Not-So-Common’ Common Milkweed

One of the many monarch butterflies hatched at Wellfield Botanic Gardens after being released into the gardens, summer 2025.

Butterflies and other pollinators are nothing new to the Gardens. You will see them throughout the warm months, milling about asters and bee balm. Every themed Garden has its share of pollinators, working around the blooms.

Contrary to what you may see in the Garden, the Monarch Butterfly is a Common Milkweed Butterfly; its primary diet is Common Milkweed, not the blooms you often see other butterflies around. Sure, we have milkweed scattered about but nothing that is conducive to a large Monarch population. It may not seem like a big deal with all of the other pollinators present, but the Monarch is quite special. 

The Monarch is considered a “flagship species” for pollinators around the world. Every year, the Monarchs make a massive migration, traveling thousands of miles to find the perfect habitat. Read more about the migration here. Since the 1990’s, it is estimated that the total population of Monarch butterflies has decreased by 80%, making them endangered according to the International Red List, and listed as threatened in the United States. 

In Spring of 2025, volunteers and staff began collecting monarch caterpillars to raise in the butterfly hatchery that was on display in the Visitors Center. In addition to seeing the hatchery in-person, visitors could also view online through our Butterfly Cam. Seeing the caterpillars go to chrysalis and then appearing again as a brilliant butterfly became very popular with guests and staff. Making sure the caterpillars had enough to eat became an all-hands-on-deck task. Staff and volunteers started collecting milkweed seed pods in hopes of scattering them in the gardens to promote more milkweed to grow. 

It is very important that the seeds be in the soil before the snow. Cold stratification is important in the germination process of milkweed seeds. The pressure from the fallen snow also helps to push the seeds more firmly into the soil. The seeds should be planted in an area that has full sun, and away from potential dangers, like busy roads. If fall planting is not possible, seeds do very well when started indoors, as long as they are still given a cold stratification period. For a step-by-step guide, visit Growing Milkweed for Monarchs.

Spring milkweed sprouts in Children’s Garden at Wellfield Botanic Gardens

Heidi Meadows

Horticulturist