By: Gordon Lee —
The chapter applied for and received a grant from the Native Plant Society of Texas for $500 to help purchase butterfly host and nectar plants for the prairie portion of the Bosque River Nature Center (BRNC).
The purpose of the grant is connected to the Bring Back the Monarchs (BBTM) program, so, like the Monarch Waystation program, it is concerned with host plants for butterflies, nectar plants to nourish the butterflies, and places of shelter for butterflies to have protection during weather events. The trees along the Bosque and those on the west side of the BRNC meet this shelter requirement. Planting host and nectar plants will help to ensure that the prairie portion of the BRNC can support pollinators through spring, summer, and fall. The forbs should also draw attention to the prairie, helping the chapter to meet its purpose as a demonstration site, one that will demonstrate the beauty and the potential of the prairie, not only to encourage development and restoration of those with property but also to serve as inspiration of the possibilities of native plants in urban landscapes as well.
Thus far, members of the chapter have transplanted Texas yellow star (or yellow Texas star) (Lindheimera texana) and tall goldenrod (probably Solidago canadensis). Through purchase, there are now Gregg’s blue mist flower, winecup, and mealy blue sage. Salvia coccinea was also planted, but it did not survive the late freeze. (Update: Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage) seem to be alive, coming up from the roots. The dead stems have been trimmed off.) Some butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and green milkweed (Asclepias viridis) have also been planted. There is hope that additional sources of milkweed, especially antelope horns (A. asperula) and zizotes (A. oenotheroides), can be located at local plant sales. We are also on the look out for other plants that will provide nectar and are appropriate for a prairie ecosystem.
Some forbs that were identified specifically in the grant application that we do not have immediate sources for are prairie phlox, compass plant, white rosinweed, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea angustafolia, Joe Pye weed, fragrant mist flower, sundrops (Calylophus berlandieri or other species of the genus), Lindheimer senna, Texas betony, and bush sunflower.
It is important that the site provides nectar throughout the season, particularly for the fall migration of the Monarchs, a time when nectar sources are more limited than in the spring. With the addition of the forbs purchased and donated for the grant, the site should also be eligible to become a Monarch Waystation should the chapter choose to pursue that designation.