Monarchs and Amigos
 
A native seed mix for sun to part sun and average soils, created by Blue Stem Natives to support at-risk pollinators - including the globally vulnerable Dion Skipper, Pink-streak, Harris' checkerspot, declining bumble bee species, and of course beloved Monarchs. Combines larval host plants (sedges, grasses, and three milkweed species) with nectar-rich blooms across the season for both food and reproductive habitat. For this mix we used the thoughtful data from: Dr. Robert Gegear and the Mass.gov website on at-risk insect species.
 
Each packet covers 100 sq ft (~70-120 seeds/sq ft).
Pickup or shipping available (select "SEED SHIPPING" at checkout).
 
Included in this mix*:
% in mix      SPECIES
6.00% SHORTBEAK SEDGE, Carex brevior
Host plant for: Dion Skipper
7.50% PURPLE LOVEGRASS, Eragrostis spectabilis
Host plant: Leonard's skipper
6.60% SWITCHGRASS, Panicum virgatum
Host plant for: Pink-streak, Arctic skipper, Leonards Skipper
6.90% LITTLE BLUESTEM, Schizachyrium scoparium
Host plant: Leonard's skipper, Host plant for Indian skipper and Cobweb skipper (link)
3.00% SIDE-OATS GRAMA, Bouteloua curtipendula
Primary larval host for the Leonard's Skipper
7.00% ROSE MILKWEED, Asclepias incarnata
Nectar source for: Dion Skipper, host plant for Monarchs, nectar source: yellow-banded bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
7.00% COMMON MILKWEED, Asclepias syriaca
Nectar source for: Dion Skipper, host plant for Monarchs, nectar source: yellow-banded bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
0.70% BUTTTERFLYWEED, Asclepias tuberosa
Host plant for: Collared Cycnia, host plant for Monarchs, nectar source: yellow-banded bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
4.20% TALL WHITE ASTER, Doellingeria umbellata
host plant: Harris' checkerspot
3.50% SHOWY TICK TREFOIL, Desmodium canadense
nectar source for: Half-black bumble bee
0.35% SPOTTED ST. JOHN’S-WORT, Hypericum punctatum
Pollen source for: yellow-banded bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
2.10% WOOD BETONY, Pedicularis canadensis
nectar source for: golden northern bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
4.20% ALLEGHENY MONKEY-FLOWER, Mimulus ringens
nectar source for: yellow-banded bumble bee, golden northern bumble bee, and Half-black bumble bee
4.20% SHOWY GOLDENROD, Solidago speciosa
nectar source: Half-black bumble bee
10.85% BLUE SKULLCAP, Scutellaria lateriflora
nectar source for: golden northern bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
9.80% BEE BALM, Monarda fistulosa
nectar source for: nectar source for:yellow-banded bumble bee, golden northern bumble bee, and Half-black bumble bee
2.80% HOLLOW JOE PYE WEED, Eutrochium fistulosum
nectar source: yellow-banded bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
4.13% COMMON BONESET, Eupatorium perfoliatum
Nectar source yellow-banded bumble bee
4.90% SPOTTED JOE PYE WEED, Eutrochium maculatum
nectar source: yellow-banded bumble bee, Half-black bumble bee
4.20% GREAT BLUE LOBELIA, Lobelia siphilitica
nectar source: Half-black bumble bee
0.07% SLENDER FALSE FOXGLOVE, Agalinis tenuifolia
Not for at-risk insects but host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly and pollen specialist bees generally.
 
*species or percentages are subject to change based on availability