In the last 15 years, the monarch butterfly populations in North America have dwindled to "alarmingly low" levels, University of Guelph associate professor and ecologist Ryan Norris. He was part of a group of researchers who developed a strategy on preserving and improving the monarch’s populations.
My wife and I planted one a couple years ago and I’ve been bummed that I haven’t seen a single caterpillar on it yet this year. It’s nice and big now compared to its first season when the monarch caterpillars absolutely demolished its leaves.
If you can, plant some milkweed.
Minor edit: If you can, plant some NATIVE milkweed.
A lot of big box stores sell tropical milkweed that can fuck with Monarchs’ natural navigation and migration instincts.
My wife and I planted one a couple years ago and I’ve been bummed that I haven’t seen a single caterpillar on it yet this year. It’s nice and big now compared to its first season when the monarch caterpillars absolutely demolished its leaves.