Published July 23. 2024 10:58AM
Monarchs give Nancy Johnston butterflies – that fluttery feeling of excitement deep inside – that especially takes flight in her garden, which earned the distinction of being named a Certified Butterfly Garden by the North American Butterfly Association in 2018.
In fact, her Easton property in the shadow of Northampton Country Club is a haven for all of nature, having been named a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation in 2008.
“It’s so intriguing – I’m an avid monarch fan,” Johnston said on a late June day as she sat in what she calls “The Official Butterfly Watching Chair” in front of her home. “I don’t know when they are going to come – every day is a monarch watch.”
“My philosophy is be gentle with the earth, stewarding what I can on my own property to contribute to the life cycle of monarchs, and passing that notion and respect to my grandchildren,” Johnston said.
Johnston has a cherry tree that one of her grandsons, Paxton, 13, dubbed “The Pink Snow Tree” when he was four years-old because he thought its falling leaves in mid to late spring looked like pink snow.
A pink snow tree would seem to fit nicely in a place that is almost an enchanted garden, a welcoming oasis of nature that embraces wildlife – and especially those monarchs!
PRESS PHOTOS BY TAMI QUIGLEYNancy Johnston showcases her monarch butterfly tattoo on a late June day in the front yard of her Easton home. The monarchs visit her garden during their spring migration from Mexico as well as their way back to Mexico at the end of September and October. More photos on page A2.
A beautiful monarch butterfly nectaring on a buddleia butterfly bush. Monarchs are no longer on the endangered species list, but are still vulnerable and need more habitats with milkweed and less use of chemical pesticides. In early May, the monarchs begin their migration from Mexico, coming up through Texas to the East Coast. The migration continues through October.
Crown vetch grows around the Certified Monarch Garden sign from the North American Butterfly Association (naba.org/) displayed in Nancy Johnston’s front yard. Johnston began the project by having milkweed for monarchs 10 years ago and received the designation in 2018 for her garden that provides resources that increase the world’s population of monarchs. Johnston has 100 milkweed stalks for monarch caterpillars, which feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, as well as nectar bearing plants for mature adult monarchs.
PHOTO COURTESEY NANCY JOHNSTONNancy Johnston holds a milkweed leaf in her garden as a monarch caterpillar inches its way along the greenery. Adult monarchs drink nectar from many different plants, but only milkweed is the requisite diet for their caterpillars. Johnston described the transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and, finally, adult. She said monarchs lay tiny white eggs on the bottom of a milkweed leaf. About 10 days later they become caterpillar larvae which will eat for 10 days, and after 10 more days will become a chrysalis, which will become a butterfly after another 10 days. “This microscopic world becomes a beautiful butterfly,” Johnston said.
Nancy Johnston sits in what she calls the “Official Butterfly Watching Chair” in front of her home while displaying a page from “Butterfly Gardener,” published by the North American Butterfly Association. She’s sporting a shirt that features a monarch caterpillar and chrysalis on the front and an adult monarch on the back. “I teach my grandchildren to wait and just see the beauty of nature unfolding,” Johnston said. Johnston also has a butterfly cage that can house mature butterflies to save them from predators.
Milkweed awaits the monarchs in Nancy Johnston’s butterfly garden. Johnston said the first generation of monarchs is born June through the beginning of August, the second generation August to September and the third in October. “The third generation is a third bigger so they have more wing mass and muscle for storage of energy to make it back to Mexico,” she said.
The waterfall and koi pond – home to 14 koi, all of whom have been named – as well as a bullfrog, in Nancy Johnston’s backyard. Her grandchildren, who love all the nature and wildlife on her property, named the trail leading to the waterfall “The Venture Trail.”
Nancy Johnston displays the Certified Wildlife Habitat sign in her backyard, which she received from the National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org/) in 2008. The designation states her property provides the four basic element needed for wildlife to thrive: food, water, cover and places to raise young. The property is visited by red foxes, squirrels, chipmunks rabbits and red-tailed hawks, and has a blue bird box and a kestrel box from Hawk Mountain. Johnston uses no chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. Her honey locust trees are home to nests of various birds, and the oak tree provides acorns for the squirrels. Birds have made a nest nestled against the light on her front porch. Monarda Bee Balm, Joe-Pye-weed and zinnia provide nectar for any adult butterfly.
