This newly metamorphosed Monarch butterfly is in the process of drying and expanding the wings to take the first flight.

The Monarch Butterfly migration is underway!  Monarchs are taking on nectar to build energy stores for the migratory flight to their winter home in Mexico. From Minnesota, Iowa and other points north, reports are that the migration has started. The good news this year is that the Monarch population appears to be on the upswing.  That is very good news indeed.  There was concern that recent population drops would become an annual trend.  

You can help during the migration by making sure you have flowering plants available such as:

Buckwheat (Eriogonum)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
California Lilac (Ceanothus)
Citrus (Citrus)
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coreopsis (Coreopsis)
Cosmos (Cosmos)
Daisy (Aster and Chrysanthemum)
Dianthus (Dianthus)
Heliotrope (Heliotropium)
Lantana (Lantana)
Marigold (Tagetes)
Milkweed (Asclepias)
Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa)
Rabbit Brush (Chryssothamnus)
Rock Cress (Arabis)
Salvia (Salvia)
Senecio (Senecio)
Star Clusters (Pentas)
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia)
Verbena (Verbena)
Wall Flower (Erysimum)
Zinnia (Zinnia)     -list from the Monarch Program

Many of these plants are very easy to grow.

Use this link to track the progress of the migration.

Use this link for more information on the Monarch including gardening for Monarchs.