Category: Monarchs | Accent on Natural Landscaping

A Small Native Plant Garden

January 19, 2021

Ken Sikora wrote this in an e-mail the other day: “Thanks for the Winter Seeding of a Prairie, Donna! Just last Thursday I did broadcast seeds in an existing prairie, trying to improve the wildflower diversity and fill in some thin spots. I did it knowing it was going to rain Friday, which would help force the seeds to the ground. Now, I’ll just sit back and wait a couple of years to see the results.”

A Small Native Plant Garden

Generally, I have been asked to assist in the plant design of large prairie fields, but this one is a small planting. One of the objectives of the design was to create a somewhat bold statement in sheer volume of foliage and color to draw attention to the site, as well as create a natural setting to attract pollinators and birds.

Bumblebee on Meadow Blazingstar (*Liatris ligulistylis*) with Sweet Black-eyed Susan (*Rudbeckia subtomentos*a). Photo by Joan Rudolph.

The Site

The site is a northeast corner lot that receives morning sun and faces south. It is shaded by a mature Red Maple (Acer rubrum) tree. The tree is approximately 8 feet from the edge of the area to be planted. The soil is medium. The area is approximately 9 x 18 feet or 162 square feet.

Maple trees are notorious for hogging surface water, so this will make a difference in the plant selection. The maple tree is likely far enough away so the root system may not interfere all that much with the garden (although their roots seem to extend forever), but I suspect the canopy will. We definitely want to stay away from plants that require a lot of moisture, like rain gardens do.

Native Plant Suggestions in Order of Bloom:

May-Jun Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

May –Jul Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)

Jun-Aug Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)

Jun-Jul Smooth Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)

Jun-Sep Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) or,

Jul-Oct Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) Deadhead some Brown-eyed Susan in fall; aggressive seeders.

Nodding Pink Onion (*Allium cernuum*). Photo by Joan Rudolph.

Jul-Aug Nodding Pink Onion (Alliium cernuum) Deadhead some Nodding Onion in fall; aggressive seeders.

Jul-Sep Lavendar Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Aug-Oct New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) Pinch back in June to maintain a shorter stature.

Aug-Oct Heath Aster (Aster ericoides)

Aug-Oct Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Others native plants to consider include:

May-Jun Long Beaked Sedge (Carex sprengelii)

Jun-Aug Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Jul-Sep Bergamot (Monarda fisitulosa) Will stay shorter in dryer soils.

Jul-Sep Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Will stay shorter in dryer soils.

Jul-Oct Zig Zag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)

Aug-Sep Meadow Blazingstar (Liatris ligulistylis) Over 3 feet tall, but not bushy. As a specimen plant, the city might not object.

Remember to humanize your native garden. Be BRASH About Planning for Nature.

This is a small garden. No need to plant spectacle plants. That is NO Siliphiums (Cupplant, Campusplant, Prairie Dock and Rosinweed). NO Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium). NO Baptisia (Blue False, Cream False and White False Indigo).

To develop a successful garden with plants blooming throughout the season, we need to be mindful of the amount of moisture as well as sunlight the plants require.

Remember! A native plant out of place is not a native plant.

Flight of the Fall Monarch

October 14, 2020

Monarch and Joe Pye Weed (*Eutrochium purpureum*), one the pollinator plants.

Ever wonder why a monarch butterfly typically lives its entire life in only two to six weeks, while the fourth or fifth generation typically lives for up to eight or nine months? Perhaps this timely discussion with Orley “Chip” R. Taylor Jr., in part, will provide the answer.

Sun Angle at Solar Noon (SASN)

Last December we published a paper which pointed out the timing and pace of the monarch migration was associated with the pace of the declining angle of the sun angle at solar noon (SASN). The migration appears to start at the northern latitudes when the SASN drops below 57 degrees at that latitude. The first monarch migrants generally arrive in the vicinity of the overwintering sites of Mexico in the last days of October, when the SASN again drops below 57 degrees. Further, the mating picks up at the overwintering sites (temperatures permitting) after February 12 when the SASN increases beyond 57 degrees. The first wave of monarchs reaching Texas in the spring is also aligned (weather permitting) with an increase in SASN greater than 57 degrees. There is also a “migration window,” a range of SASN values (57-46 degrees) associated with successful migration. Over 90% of the monarchs reaching Mexico were tagged within this range of sun angles.

Monarch butterfly on purple colored New England Aster (Symphotrichum novae-angliae). Note pink colored aster in background. — Monarch butterfly on purple colored New England Aster (*Symphotrichum novae-angliae*), one of the few pollinator plants during September. Note pink colored aster in background.

The SASN values generally DECREASE in the fall in the migration window (57-46 degrees) when the monarchs do not reproduce. In the spring, the monarchs INCREASE their reproduction generally based on the height of the sun at solar noon of 57 degrees for any and all latitudes on the June 21. SASN values decrease slowly after June 21, but do not drop below 57 degrees at the most northerly points until late in the first week of August. In both cases, the increases and decreases are slow, incremental yet erratic.

While the above describes an overall pattern, the migrations are not in lock step with the SASN since they can be slowed by weather conditions as were the migrations of 2004 and 2019 and a few others. What we can say is, to date, there is no evidence of migrations moving faster than expected based on the pace of the SASN.

Monarch ovipositing on Common Milkweed *(Asclepias syriaca*). Photo by Candy Sarikonda

What determines the breeding cycle?

If we assume temperatures are within nominal ranges for fall migration, the SASN is just above 57 degrees, and a female lays eggs in a patch of milkweed. But not all the larvae* which hatch and develop normally, pupate* and eclose,* not all of these individuals migrate. Some do migrate, and some go on to breed.

The breeders do not emerge in reproductive diapause* – their maturation is not on hold. It just takes some number of days for the breeders to reproduce mature. Those who not go into maturity, go on to be a new season’s breeders.

In monarchs, breeding season individuals are sexually mature four to five days after they emerge as adults. The generation that migrates is not sexually mature until after the overwintering period

Mid-Summer Migration of the Monarchs

Monarch Caterpillar munching on a milkweed (Asclepias L.) plant. — Monarch caterpillar on a Butterfly Milkweed (*Asclepias tuberosa*) plant.

The adults that emerge from eggs laid from July 15 to August 20 at the NORTHERN latitudes (49-51N, e.g. Winnipeg and vicinity) are likely to migrate.

At more southerly latitudes, the mid-summer migration will be underway when the butterflies move south reaching latitudes south of 40N for the first week of August, progressively moving south through Oklahoma late in the second and third weeks, and Texas late in the third and fourth weeks.

Look for late-season breeding at latitudes south of 40N in the mid portion of the country. This year precipitation southward from Kansas through Texas has been abundant and should refresh dormant milkweeds in much of this region, allowing better opportunities for late-season production than during most years.

This Year’s Forecast for Mexico

The earliest record I have seen of monarchs moving into Mexico is October 3-4 near Del Rio, Texas.

Eastern Monarchs overwintering during 2017-18 in the forest areas of Mexico. Photo by Wendy Caldwell

The SASN drops below 57 degrees at Del Rio on October 2, signaling the earliest date that monarchs should reach that latitude under the most favorable conditions. The same applies to Acuna, Mexico. The site is just across the river from the Del Rio where they do the Mexican observations.

Today’s migration is advancing at a rate we haven’t seen since the 90s, and that is a good thing, since on-time migrations are associated with higher survival during the migration. This is a report from Journey North.

Notes:

The stages in the life cycle of insects undergoing complete metamorphosis: egg, larvae, pupa and imago/adult.

Egg: The egg is the first stage in the life cycle of most insects. Eggs can be laid singly, in clusters or in specialist structures called oothecae. Insect eggs are very small and often susceptible to drying out (dessication) so the female insect often selects the site to lay her eggs on very carefully. (Amateur Entomologist’s Society)

Larve: But about 75% of insects undergo a complete metamorphosis beginning with a larval stage. In this stage, the insect feeds and grows, usually molting several times. …The eruciform larvae look like caterpillars and in most cases, are caterpillars. The body is cylindrical with a well-developed head capsule and very short antennae. Eruciform larvae have both thoracic (true) legs and abdominal prolegs. (Thought Co)

Molting in monarchs is called instar. Caterpillars go through five stages of growth. Each stage is called an “instar.” As a caterpillar grows, it “molts” five times before it becomes a chrysalis. Each time it molts the caterpillar progresses to the next instar (1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar, 4th instar and 5th instar). (JourneyNorth)

Pupate: Although the pupa might appear to be an inactive stage, inside the pupa the larval body of the insect is being broken down and the body of the adult insect is then formed. During pupation the insect is often completely sessile (incapable of movement) although in some species limited movement is possible. The insect is quite vulnerable at this time and so many choose to pupate out of sight from predators (such as underground) or create a camouflaged cocoon around their pupae. (Amateur Entomologist’s Society)

Imago/Adult: The adult, sexually mature, stage of the insect is known as the imago. (Wonderful Butterflies)

Diapause: Diapause is a period of suspended or arrested development during an insect’s life cycle. Insect diapause is usually triggered by environmental cues, like changes in daylight, temperature, or food availability. Diapause may occur in any life cycle stage—embryonic, larval, pupal, or adult—depending on the insect species. (ThoughtCo)

Eclose: The emergence of an adult insect from a pupa or a larvae (or nymph) from an egg is called eclosion. Adults of diurnal insects (such as butterflies and dragonflies) often emerge at dawn whereas nocturnal insects (such as many mosquitoes) eclose at night. (Amateur Entomologists Society)

It’s the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 21, 2020

The Blue Marble: The View From Apollo 17 – Fifty years ago, on April 22, 1970, people around the world marked the first Earth Day. On this Earth Day (2020), as we physically separate ourselves by necessity, we can still collectively appreciate the wondrous beauty of our planet and the extraordinary science that helps us understand how it all works. (NASA)

Today is April 22, which marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. “Before 1970, pollution was rampant. Air pollution was widespread, toxic fumes billowed from factories and automobiles, and enormous fish die-offs occurred in the Great Lakes.” (Nature Scoop) After returning from World War II, people began using more chemically produced pesticides and fertilizers. This came at a cost to the environment, and posed great danger to the health of both animals and humans. This is a story about conservationists – especially CNRA and Lorrie Otto.

1942: DDT First Used
DDT was introduced during WWII to protect our troops from the mosquito-borne disease malaria. It is still being used selectively in some tropical countries.

1949: A Sand County Almanac
Aldo Leopold published his landmark book, A Sand County Almanac, calling for a “land ethic” connecting people and nature.

1950s: Citizen Activists Got Involved
Citizen activists started sending letters and confronting editors, WDNR, and local municipalities. These activists included not just conservationists, but also hunters, fishermen, professors, members of garden clubs and many others.

1951: Citizens Natural Resources Association of Wisconsin Formed
The new Wisconsin militant conservation organization called the Citizens Natural Resources Association of Wisconsin (CNRA) begins fighting for the preservation, management and restoration of Wisconsin’s natural resources. They follow the principles of Aldo Leopold and have remained committed conservationists to this day.

1957: Lorrie Otto Confronted Officials With Evidence
After Lorrie Otto, the High Priestess of the Natural Landscaping Movement, dropped off twenty-eight dead robins at their offices, Bayside, Wisconsin officials asked her, “What do you want, Mrs. Otto, birds or trees?” This wasn’t her first battle with Bayside officials.

1960s: Raising Awareness
CNRA focused on increasing awareness of misuse of chemicals. See the The First Decade.

1962: Silent Spring
The publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson made people aware of the disastrous environmental impact of DDT and other chemicals.

1966: A Ban on DDT
Attorney Victor Yannacone and his wife Carol, won a local ban on DDT on Long Island, New York.

1967: The Environmental Defense Fund (EFT)
Founded by Charles F Wurster, Victor Yannacone and others to defend the environment in a legal setting, the EDF‘s motto was “Sue the bastards!”

1968: Plotting Further Victories Over DDT
Wisconsin and New York (EDF) strategists began to plot their battle against DDT based on studies that showed DDT was present in virtually every body of water in Wisconsin.

1968: Hearing to Determine DDT’s Status as a Pollutant
The Wisconsin Administrative hearing to determine if DDT was a pollutant began. Strategists had gotten the City of Milwaukee to stop spraying DDT, but they wanted to present scientific evidence against DDT, and get a judgment against its use. The hearing dragged on for nearly six months, with Lorrie Otto attending every session, reporting back to CNRA, and working with the strategists to develop new tactics.

1968: Wisconsin’s DDT Hearing in the Spotlight
The Capital Times started sending news on the Wisconsin DDT hearing nationwide. Every afternoon Whitney Gould would file a story, putting Wisconsin’s DDT Hearing into the national news.

1969: Michigan Bans DDT
A major victory as Michigan quietly banned DDT.

1969: The USDA Regulates the use of DDT
Because of the nationwide news coverage, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the use of DDT nationwide.

1970: Wisconsin Bans DDT
The Pesticide Review Board was established to update pesticide-control measures for use in Wisconsin’s very strong agriculture industry, and on January 15, 1970, Governor Warren Knowles signed the law banning the use of DDT.

1970: The First Earth Day
With assistance from Lorrie and the CNRA members and others associated with the Wisconsin Administrative hearing, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded the first Earth Day on April 22. As governor, Nelson had established a strong conservation record, and later, in the U.S. Senate, lobbied for a safer environment – proposing a ban on DDT as early as 1965.

1970: DDT Ruled a Pollutant
Hearing Examiner Maurice Van Sustern ruled that, under the State’s water-quality standards, DDT was polluting Wisconsin waters.

1970: The United States Environmental Protection Agency Created
President Richard Nixon signed the Executive Order to create the EPA, which bought the responsibility for environmental health of the U.S. under one organization instead of several, each working for their own interests.

1970: The Clean Air Act
Growing public awareness and concern for controlling the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Clean Water Act led to sweeping amendments in 1972 by President Nixon and the Congress. As amended in 1972, the law became commonly known as the Clean Air Act.

1971: United Nations Celebrates Earth Day
U.N. Secretary-General U Thant signed a proclamation saying that the United Nations would celebrate Earth Day annually on the vernal equinox, thereby officially establishing the March date as the international Earth Day.

1972: USA Banned DDT
EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus announced the ban on “virtually all interstate sales and shipments of DDT.”

1972: The Clean Water Act
The Amended Act provides for pollution-control programs and sets water-quality standards in surface waters. This includes regulating construction of sewage-treatment plants and discharge of contaminants by the manufacturing and agriculture industries.

1973: The Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act, enacted with bi-partisan support, was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a “consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation.” It was to protect both the species and “the ecosystems on which endangered species and threatened species depend.”

1977: Wild Ones Garden Club
Ever the conservationists, Lorrie Otto set about healing the Earth by presenting workshops throughout the USA on native plants and natural landscaping. After listening to Lorrie’s workshops held at the Schlitz Audubon Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a group of men and women continued to meet informally to discuss native plants, natural landscaping and biodiversity. They called themselves the Wild Ones. As knowledge of the group spread, others joined from not only the Milwaukee area, but throughout Wisconsin and adjoining states, leading to the eventual creation of the national environmental education and advocacy organization called Wild Ones Natural Landscapers Ltd in 1979.

1990: Earth Day goes Global
Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage and giving a huge boost for recycling efforts worldwide.

2007: Final Delisting Rule of Bald Eagle
After decades of conservation efforts, the Bald Eagle is nearly 10,000 nesting pairs today (low of 400 nesting pairs in 1963). The recovery and delisting of the nation’s symbol marks an overall achievement for the conservation movement.

NASA’s new three-dimensional portrait of methane, the world’s second-largest contributor to greenhouse warming, shows it arising from a diversity of sources on the ground and shows how it moves through the atmosphere. Combining multiple data sets from emissions inventories, including fossil fuel, agricultural, biomass burning and biofuels, and simulations of wetland sources into a high-resolution computer model, researchers now have an additional tool for understanding this complex gas and its role in Earth’s carbon cycle, atmospheric composition, and climate system. (NASA)

2016: International Paris Climate Agreement
The Paris Climate Agreement aimed to the replace Kyoto Protocol, an earlier international treaty designed to curb the release of greenhouse gases. It entered into force on November 4, 2016, and has been signed by 197 countries and ratified by 187 as of November 2019.

2017: Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Listed as Endangered
The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (and six other bees) has declined by 87 percent. Disease, pesticides, effects of climate change, habitat loss and degradation and effects of small population dynamics have been to blame.

2020: Decision of List Monarch and Other Pollinators as Endangered will be determined in December

Today Is Where We Conservationists Must Continue Our Work
Today, much the rabble-rousing conservationist group CNRA has passed, and Lorrie Otto* has died, but the natural landscaping movement will live on. There are still those who deny the scientific basis for the banning of DDT and synthetic chemicals, considering the concerns and regulations politically motivated. It’s always about the personal responsibility we share. As environmental stewards of the Earth, this has never been more timely or important.

Use native plants. Include natural landscaping. Minimize pesticide and fertilizers.

*Lorrie Otto passed away May 29, 2010. Read about Lorrie’s considerable achievements through the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame’s environmental legacy.

Plants & Pollinators

April 13, 2020

Another bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens)* finds Virginia Bluebells (*Mertensia virginica*) a welcome treat.

Reference my blog Things We can do for Pollinators. This is a reference in a nutshell for pollinators — bats, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and moths. Supply your garden with a buffet for pollinators. Choose the plants that are best for your site, and keep your garden buzzing and humming by serving only the best plants for pollinators.

Courtesy of the Prairie Nursery, please download our Plants & Pollinators Chart for a look at which plants serve which pollinators, and which are host plants for butterflies and moths. Plants are arranged seasonally to help you maximize pollinator support across the growing season.

Test Your Skills

From the Wisconsin Pollinators – test your knowledge of botany vocabulary: Botany Vocabulary.

From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – test your knowledge: Pollinator Partners.

From Wild Ones Twin Cities Chapter – a natural-landscaping crossword puzzle to download.

Gardening for Pollinators

For an in-depth look – from the ecosystems to the gardening to the pollinators — see the blog Gardening for Pollinators.