Many gardeners know that the beautiful and colorful monarch butterflies have been placed on the endangered species list because their numbers have drastically declined over the past few decades. This decline is attributed to a number of factors, including pesticide use, habitat destruction, and climate change. Monarch butterflies are also important pollinators and help our plants by spreading pollen from one flower to the next. To preserve this important butterfly species, environmentally conscious gardeners are doing their part by creating a garden that will attract them and hopefully increase their numbers. If you want to attract monarch butterflies to your garden, plant a beautiful purple flowering tree, commonly known as golden dewdrop, doveberry, or skyflower.

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This tree, with the botanical name Duranta erecta, has nectar-rich flowers that monarch butterflies and other pollinators love. It is native to subtropical and tropical areas of the Americas and can be grown in USDA zones 9b through 11. However, it is important to note that the berries and leaves of this plant are highly toxic to humans and some animals, even causing death in some cases, so you must be careful to keep your children and pets away from this tree.

The goldenrod typically grows as a large, spreading shrub in colder climates, but can reach heights of up to 20 feet in tropical regions. This plant has the most beautiful purple flowers that form in large clusters from summer through fall. There are also some varieties with blue or white flowers. Monarch butterflies are often attracted to these beautiful flowers, as the adult butterflies feed on the rich nectar contained in the masses of flowers the plant produces. This means that you are likely to see monarch butterflies in your garden all summer long. You will also find a variety of other butterflies visiting your garden when this plant is in its magnificent floral display.

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The bright flowers of this plant attract not only monarch butterflies, but also other pollinators such as bees. Leafcutter and mason bees may even use the plant’s leaves to build nests. If you plant this small tree or shrub in your garden, you will also notice hummingbirds coming to feed on the flowers’ nectar. The yellow berries that follow the flowers are loved by other bird species, so by planting Duranta erecta in your garden, you will be providing an important food source for a whole host of garden visitors.

For maximum blooms that will attract the most monarch butterflies, plant your Duranta erecta in a sunny location. However, if you have many hot summer days, it is acceptable to give the plant some afternoon shade. This will prevent the plant from drooping a bit toward the end of a hot day. The soil needs to be well-draining, but you will need to give your Duranta plenty of moisture during periods of low rainfall. Watering thoroughly at least once a week should be sufficient. In fact, it is much better to water your outdoor plants abundantly once a week than every day. You can also add some mulch to the soil around the base of the plant to help retain more moisture in the soil.

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Gardeners living in colder regions can grow this plant as an annual, where it will only grow to about 2-4 feet tall. Or you can plant it in a really large pot and bring it indoors over the winter. If your soil is fairly clayey and you top up your mulch regularly, your Duranta shouldn’t need any additional fertilizer. It’s advisable to prune your plant to give it a more compact shape, but be careful because the stems have thorns. Duranta erecta is a great addition if you want to design your garden to encourage monarch butterflies to thrive.