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Monarch Magic Collection

Create beautiful butterfly habitat for our Monarch butterflies as they migrate across North America. Our selection of five Monarch butterfly favorites will help feed these important pollinators from spring to fall, providing essential support to our traveling friends. One plant each of five perennials: Asclepias syriaca, Asclepias incarnata, Aster novi-belgii ‘Prof. Kippenberg, Aster Lady in Black, and Liatris aspera
Regular Price $46.45 Sale $41.80
Per Collection of 5
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SKU
HC017135
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Monarch butterflies need our help and now we can provide it, AND, add a beautiful perennial collection to our gardens. Our 5-plant Monarch Magic Collection includes Rose (Swamp) Milkweed, providing essential food and support for Monarch caterpillars. Additionally, 2 late summer blooming Aster varieties (Professor Kippenberg New York Aster and Alpine Lady in Black) will provide needed nectar for traveling butterflies. Lastly, Common Milkweed and Gayfeather (Liatris aspera) are true butterfly magnet and a favorite of Monarchs, supplying nectar during late summer to fall. These native perennials are easy-to-grow, long-lived, drought tolerant garden plants that will add natural beauty and enjoyment as you watch the butterflies fill up!

*Does not include planting map

More Information
SKU
HC017135
Ships To Canada
No
Common Name
Monarch Magic Collection
Botanical Name
Monarch Magic Collection
Mature Height
Asclepias incarnata - 3-4' tall
Asclepias syriaca - 3-4' tall
Aster novi-belgii Professor Kippenberg - 40-48" tall
Aster alpinus- 12" tall
Liatris aspera - 36" tall
Mature Spread
Asclepias incarnata - 3' wide
Asclepias syriaca - 24-30" wide
Aster novi-belgii Professor Kippenberg - 18-24" wide
Aster alpinus - 6-12" wide
Liatris aspera - 12-15" wide
Bloom Time
Early - Mid Summer, Mid - Late Summer, Early - Mid Fall
Bloom Time
Early summer to mid fall
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Soil Type
Sandy Soil, Clay Soil, Average Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Soil Moisture
Very Drought Resistant / Very Waterwise, Average
Amount Of Rain
Less than 10" (with irrigation), 10 to 20", 20 to 30", 30 to 40"
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Attract Butterflies, Bee Friendly, Rabbit Resistant, Squirrel Resistant, Fragrant, Native, Low Maintenance, Multiplies / Naturalizes
Ideal Region
Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest
Item Package Size
Collection of 5
Planting Guides
Growing Aster (Aster)
These are late summer/fall blooming native wildflowers that are easy-to-grow and provide an ample late season nectar supply for butterflies and bees. As such, they are an indispensible perennial for late season color and for feeding migrating Monarchs. Asters are resistant to browsing rabbits.

    Preferred growing conditions:
  • They grow well in most any type of soil including clay.
  • Mulch with common mulching materials as well as gravel when planted in a xeriscape.
  • Most do well with regular irrigation to keep the soil moderately moist. Some species are more xeric.
  • Plant in full sun or part sun. Some varieties will stretch in too much shade
  • Just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix in the planting hole is enough. Don't plant into a rich, highly amended soil.

    • Special comments:
  • Species that spread to form wide growing clumps can be divided in mid-spring.

    • Garden Care:
  • Fertilize in the fall with Yum Yum Mix and good quality compost.
  • Deadheading is not necessary, but will reduce re-seeding of seed-grown varieties.
  • Leave standing over the winter months and cut back hard to 1 to 2" above the ground.
  • If foliage becomes affected with mildew at the end of the growing season, cut back to the ground and remove the leaves/stems to the compost pile or trash.
    • Growing Liatris (Gayfeather or Blazing Star)
    This is a group of summer blooming native wildflowers that are easy-to-grow and provide an ample late season nectar supply for butterflies. Liatris are resistant to browsing rabbits. These perennials stay dormant later in the spring than many plants, so be patient. Because they naturally stay asleep longer into the spring, we will ship dormant plants early in the planting season. It’s ideal to plant dormant plants; don’t up-pot them for planting later in the growing season. Water in dormant plants thoroughly at planting time and water very sparingly, or not at all, until they begin to push new growth as the weather warms.

    Preferred growing conditions:
  • Needs sandy/ gravelly and sandy loam type soils. Liatris unctate and L. mucronata will do fine in dry clay (I,e, clay soil in high spots, hillsides, raised beds).
  • Does best with a course textured mulch (pine needles, crushed pecan shells, small bark chips), as well as gravel when planted in a xeriscape.
  • Only requires deep but infrequent watering after the second growing season.
  • Plant in full, hot sun
  • Just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix in the planting hole is enough. Don’t plant into a rich, highly amended soil.

      • Special comments:
      • To encourage re-seeding, leave some flower spikes on the plants over the fall and winter months to disperse seeds.

          • Garden care:
        • Fertilize Liatris just once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II.
        • Liatris plants have long tap roots once established and should not be divided or transplanted once established.
        • Leave Liatris varieties standing over the winter and cut back to 1-2" inches above the soil in mid- to late spring when the plants begin to wake up.
    Planting and Caring for Pre-Planned Gardens & Collections

    Soil Preparation: Remember that proper soil preparation is the key to healthy, vigorous blooming perennials. Use Yum Yum Mix and a high quality compost at recommended rates to prepare the soil. Inoculate the plant roots with Plant Success mycorrhizal inoculant. Planting: Plant according to the mature size of the plant. Don’t be tempted to put the plants too close based on their size in the pots. They’ll grow quickly and cover the space shown in the planting map. (Maps included only with Pre-Planned Gardens, not Collections.)

    Fertilizing: Once annually in mid-fall, after plants begin to go dormant. Use Yum Yum Mix or Yum Yum Mix Winterizer at recommended rates to improve the soil and provide essential plant nutrients.Use it with high quality compost, mix half and half by volume and spread on top of the soil. Scratch it in lightly and water thoroughly. It is also beneficial to treat the plant roots with Plant Success® mycorrhizal root inoculant if you didn’t do so at planting time. (Inoculation only needs to be done once.)

    Mulching: In arid climates mulching is very beneficial. Coarse textured composts, shredded leaves, pine needles and composted bark are all excellent mulch materials. Apply to a depth of 1-2 inches. Replenish annually (or as needed).

    View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
ZoneShipping Status
Zone 2Shipping begins the week of May 20th, 2019
Zone 3Shipping begins the week of May 20th, 2019
Zone 4Shipping begins the week of May 20th, 2019
Zone 5Shipping begins the week of April 29th, 2019
Zone 6Shipping begins the week of April 15th, 2019
Zone 7Shipping begins the week of March 25th, 2019
Zone 8Shipping begins the week of March 4th, 2019
Zone 9Shipping begins the week of February 25th, 2019
Zone 10Shipping begins the week of February 25th, 2019
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