Black Hill Park Butterfly Habitat

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In an effort to attract more butterflies to Black Hill Regional Park, a group of Master Gardeners is creating a habitat from a meadow area along Route 121 in Boyds. We work in consultation with the naturalist at Black Hill Regional Park, who is known throughout Montgomery County for butterfly expertise as well as knowledge of native plants.

This area has a natural stand of native Indian Hemp aka Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) which is the premier nectar source for butterflies in our county. Naturally this plant should be preserved. The goal is to enhance the area with additional butterfly host and nectar plants. So far various native milkweed (Asclepias) species to host Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have been added. This has qualified the site as “Monarch Waystation #40,” in a program sponsored by Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas. Other native plants and seeds have also been added.

Unfortunately in our parks today we have multiple non-native invasives with which to deal. Black Hill is no different. Since beginning in 2005, we have made a major dent in the habitat’s Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) population, and it is almost eradicated. Much of the Mile-a-minute (Polygonum perforiatum) has been eradicated by pulling the plants before the seeds were mature.

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To protect the plants from tramping feet once the Indian Hemp and Milkweeds start growing, our scheduled workdays are outside the traditional garden work months of May through September. Master Gardeners, join us Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, the six weeks before May and the six weeks after September. BYO favorite tools for planting, clipping and digging.

Directions: I-270 north to Exit 18 Boyds.Â Route 121 west to Boyds. Route 121 is Clarksburg Road, and the site is across from 20612 Clarksburg Road. There is a parking area for your car.

For more information, contact Web Master

Last updated: 03/10/2009