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Learn about Showy milkweed and Monarch butterflies in the West KootenayShowy Milkweed
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), is a perennial rhizomatous plant in the Dogbane family. It is the only native milkweed species in BC.
In the late summer season, the plant produces spherical heads of clustered pink flowers. The sweet floral scent attracts a plethora of pollinators, including the Monarch butterfly.
For a long time, Milkweed has been considered a ‘noxious weed’ and we have lost much of this native wildflower across our landscape. At KNPS, it is our mission to help protect and enhance wild milkweed populations throughout the Kootenay region.
*Milkweed produces a toxic milky sap, so please be careful around children and dogs.
Height: 50-100cm
Bloom time: July to August
Light: Full Sun
Soil: well-drained rich soil
Moisture: moist to dry
Western Monarch Butterfly
The Western monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a distinct population located to the West of the Rockies. This population overwinters on the California coast, instead of Mexico. On average, it takes 5 generations of Monarchs to reach interior BC from Southern California.
The availability of late season nectar resources is one of the key factors in safeguarding summer breeding habitat for Monarchs. Nectar is supplied from numerous native flowers in addition to milkweed, such as asters and goldenrods.
Co-evolution of Milkweed and Monarchs
Milkweed serves as both the host plant for monarch caterpillars and a vital nectar source for adult butteflies
Why Milkweed and Monarchs Matter
Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), iconic for their astounding migration and delicate beauty, are facing a crisis. In 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified them as endangered due to a dramatic decline in populations. Western Monarchs have experienced a staggering >95% loss since the 1980s. This decline is directly linked to the disappearance of their critical habitat, milkweed, the plant essential to their lifecycle. Most recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is proposing to list the Monarch species as threatened with species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Read more about this proposal here.
Milkweed is not just a food source for Monarchs, but the very foundation of their existence. Monarchs depend on milkweed for reproduction: the female Monarch lays her eggs on milkweed plants, and the larvae feed exclusively on its leaves. As they consume the plant, they absorb toxins that protect them from predators, a unique defense mechanism that makes them turn that brilliant orange.
The loss of milkweed has far-reaching consequences. Habitat destruction due to urbanization, agricultural expansion, climate change, and the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides have decimated both the Monarch population and the milkweed plants they depend on. In fact, Canada’s recent reclassification of Monarchs from “Special Concern” to “Endangered” underscores the urgency of the situation. In addition to milkweed loss, Monarchs face a broader challenge; they need more than just milkweed to survive. Adult Monarchs feed on a variety of nectar plants to fuel their long migration, and their journey requires a diversity of plants to support them along the way. With milkweed populations and natural spaces in decline, Monarchs are left without the resources they need to thrive and reproduce, putting their migration patterns and future survival in jeopardy.
The Kootenays are the home to a geographically distinct population of Monarchs, the Western Monarch, West of the Rocky Mountains. These butterflies do not overwinter in Mexico, and instead migrate to the California coast. Current studies are seeing a decline in summer migration to Canada.
The good news is that by protecting and enhancing existing milkweed populations, planting native plants in our gardens, parks, roadsides, and wild spaces, and sourcing local seeds, we can help restore this critical link in their migration pattern.
Monarchs are not alone in their struggle – when we support Monarchs, we also support a whole host of other pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles, all of which depend on the same resources. By fostering an environment where Monarchs can thrive, we contribute to a healthier, more resilient landscape for all pollinators.
Together, we can help ensure that Monarchs continue their incredible journey across North America, from California to the Kootenays and beyond. Let’s work to protect and restore milkweed populations so that Monarchs and other pollinators can flourish in the wild once again!
The plan? To provide our community with all they need to create and maintain Monarch Waystations!
What is a Monarch Waystation?
A Monarch Waystation is a specially designed habitat that provides essential resources for Monarch butterflies during their migration. These waystations act as safe havens along the Monarch’s long journey, offering food, shelter, and rest stops for these incredible pollinators. Key to the success of a Monarch Waystation is the presence of native plants, especially Showy Milkweed, the only milkweed species native to the Kootenays.
In addition to Showy Milkweed, a variety of other native plants play an important role in supporting Monarchs during different stages of their migration. Early-season plants like Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemofolium), Brown-eyed Susan (Gaillardia aristata), and Western Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) provide nectar for adult Monarchs, while Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) and Showy Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) offer a crucial “nectar bridge” when other flowers are not blooming. Later in the season, Asters (Symphyotrichum sp.) and the Western Canada Goldenrod (Solidago lepida) become vital, helping to fuel Monarchs for their journey South.
One of the key benefits of Monarch Waystations is that they connect fragmented habitats along the Monarchs’ migration route. As Monarchs travel from their breeding grounds in the North to their overwintering sites on the California Coast, they rely on a network of waystations to provide the resources they need to rest and refuel. By establishing these waystations, we help create a continuous corridor of habitat, linking isolated pockets of milkweed and other pollinator-friendly plants. This interconnected network of habitats is critical to the survival of Monarchs, ensuring they have access to food and shelter at every stage of their migration.
Previous Waystation Projects
The Whole School
Environmental Stewardship and Experiential Learning at The Whole School In 2024, KNPS partnered with The Whole School to support their focus on environmental stewardship and experiential learning. Together, we introduced native plants, including milkweed, to create an...
City of Nelson – Fire Smart Program
Partnership with the City of Nelson – Monarch Waystation for Fire Smart Program In 2024, KNPS partnered with the City of Nelson to create a Monarch Waystation as part of their Fire Smart program. This initiative involved planting milkweed and native plants to support...
Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change is expected to significantly alter the range and migration patterns of Monarch butterflies. As temperatures shift, Monarchs may be forced to adjust their migratory routes and breeding areas, potentially moving northward as their traditional habitats become unsuitable. This could disrupt the delicate balance between Monarchs and their host plants.
In the Kootenays, the warming climate could affect the availability of milkweed and other native plants, pushing their range further north. By proactively restoring and connecting milkweed habitats, we can help ensure that Monarchs – and other pollinators – have the resources they need as their ranges shift due to changing environmental conditions.
Importance of Native Plants
Native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems. Preserving native plants is about more than just protecting pollinators. Native plants help stabilize soils, prevent erosion, improve water quality, and provide food and shelter for countless species. They also support local ecosystems by preserving genetic diversity and promoting resilience in the face of climate change. When we protect and restore native plants, we are investing in the long-term health of our environment.
The conservation of native plants supports the entire ecosystem and help maintain the biodiversity that sustains us all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take for the waystation to be established?
A: The time it takes to establish a waystation varies depending on site specifics, such as soil conditions and the influence of invasive species pre-planting. However, the key to a successful waystation (or any native plant garden for that matter) is a thorough prep job. Fortunately, our team has created a rigorous Guidebook for you to follow step-by-step for establishing a successful waystation!
The general rule of thumb for native plant establishment is 3 years from seed to independent plant. In the first year it sleeps, in the second it creeps, and finally in the third year, it leaps!
Q: Why is it important to use local plants?
A: Our program is just as much about conserving milkweed genetic diversity as it is about supporting monarchs. As such, we need to have a clear seed sourcing policy that ensures that we are supporting local milkweed populations by connecting to them on a genetic basis. This means we require all seeds to be progeny of locally adapted genetics, at least for our Waystations, in isolation from non-local genetics. Seeds also need to be collected with permission.
Q: What about non-local seed sources and the impacts of climate change?
A: Of course, this is where things get more complex. There may be real advantages to carefully introducing non-local genetics to support adaptation over the long term and with climate change. But this needs to be done thoughtfully and carefully, and with some good modelling to say how we should adapt our seed-sourcing guidelines.
Non-source-identified seeds may be from maladapted ranges, or simplified genomes, which can disrupt local populations by introducing deleterious genetics and make the plants less adaptive to changing environments over time. However, carefully selected seeds from regions that are compatible with the predicted future climate of a target area may be greatly beneficial to introduce into the local genetics sooner rather than later.
Q: How do I register my yard as a waystation?
A: You can register your waystation at Monarch Watch to receive an official Certificate of Appreciation and get on the registry to track monarch habitat across North America.
Q: What are some effective ways to deal with invasive species?
A: Invasive species can be challenging to work with because they establish quickly and with rigour. It is also crucial to consider whether the plant is annual, biennial, or perennial because these will change the method of treatment. Annuals and biennials seed rapidly, so it is most effective to remove the plant or cut the flowering head before the plant sets seeds (it is most important to avoid spreading seeds). However, perennials typically have deep taproots and can spread via rhizomes, so removing them manually can take more effort. It is also important to be able to confirm the identification of the plant before removing, as many native plants can have weedy-look-alikes. Finally, if you are uprooting an invasive plant, it is always a good idea to replace the now empty space with a native plant to prevent other weeds from growing in.
Q: The Kootenay Monarch (Swallowtail vs Monarch)
Adult Swallowtail Identification:
7-8cm wingspan. Hindwings have “Tails”. Yellow coloured with bold black stripes.
Adult Monarch Identification:
9-11cm wingspan. Orange coloured, with white spots on edge. Black veins.
Q: What native species should I plant in my garden?
A: While native plants are always a good choice, it is important to select plants that will be well adapted to the environment in your garden. Some plants do better in the shade while others require direct sunlight and ample watering. The general rule of thumb is that native plants take 2-3 years to establish, during this time it is crucial to tend to them as you would with any other plant. You can refer to our Native Plants for Pollinators sheet for a starting point on selecting your plants!
Want to learn more about Milkweed and Monarchs? Click the link below for more resources.
