Monarch Butterflies Find Critical Stopover at Gibbs Gardens During 3,000-Mile Migration
Monarch butterflies are utilizing Gibbs Gardens in Cherokee County, Georgia, as a vital refueling stop during their annual 3,000-mile migration from Canada and the northern United States to central Mexico. The gardens, particularly a sprawling meadow of cosmos, zinnias, and other wildflowers, provide essential nectar sources for the butterflies. According to Eric Johnson, a horticulturist and host of PBS's GardenSmart, monarchs need to refuel daily, and the availability of nectar sources is crucial for their survival during this arduous journey. The 376-acre estate, developed by landscape designer Jim Gibbs, repurposed a significant portion of its gardens in 2021 to focus on supporting the monarch population, especially as their numbers were collapsing. This initiative provides a critical resource for the eastern migratory monarch population, which has seen an estimated 80% decline since the mid-1990s.
