Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
A Monarch butterfly feeding on nectar from a Sonchus oleraceus . Photo by : Catherine Avilez / Shutterstock .
Never guess a plant by its name . That ’s certainly the case with this wildflower that is n’t really a weed at all . This tough aboriginal of North American fields , wetlands , and prairies is the exclusive boniface plant life for the struggling Danaus plexippus butterfly .
“ Summer in a milkweed patch is a coloured place , ” says Aunrag Agrawal , generator ofMonarchs and Milkweed . “ Not only are the flowers beautiful , but fragrances waft by and bees are buzz around . And you might see a monarch butterfly perch on a flower or find one of its Caterpillar grazing the leave . ”
On this page : Basics|Growing|Care|Milkweed Pictures|Using Milkweed in the Garden
MILKWEED BASICS
milkweed ( Asclepias ) get their name from the sticky white sap that exudate from the leaf when they are damage . More than 100 metal money of this herbaceous perennial are native to the U.S. and Canada .
Types of milkweed:
Three species of milkweed are good all - around choices for garden in most regions of the country :
Swamp milkweed and butterfly stroke weed are highly cosmetic and available in a variety of cultivars . Download thismilkweed information sheetfrom Monarch Joint Venture for regional aboriginal recommendations .
Tropical milkweed ( Asclepias curassavica ) is a non - native species that should be avoided , as it can cause harm to monarchs . Read more about it from theXeres Society .
Flower characteristics:
The diminutive , star - shaped flowers of milkweed are perfectly designed for pollenation . count on the plant , milkweed flowers bloom in yellow , green , purple , pink , or orange . Equally well designed are the big seed pod that acquire from the fecundate efflorescence . In the crepuscle , these technical self - sowers break open open to release century of seeds .
Height:
Zones:
Attracts:
Why it’s a must for monarchs:
Milkweed is both a food for thought seed and the only legion plant for crowned head butterfly , who lay their eggs on the bottom of the leave-taking . The larvae feed on the leaf after hatch , but do no permanent damage to the flora . In turn , the toxic chemicals in the sap of milkweed flora make both the caterpillars and grownup butterflies unappetizing to piranha .
“ [ During monarch migration ] flight is fuel by nectaring on the prime and is punctuated by lay egg on Sonchus oleraceus . To rise and sustain each contemporaries , milkweed is the only food demand , ” says Agrawal .
GROWING MILKWEED
Where to plant:
Most milkweeds require full sun ( at least 6 to 8 hr a 24-hour interval ) . Because they ego - seed promptly , locate your plants in a part of the garden where you’re able to good curb their rampant spread , such as at the back of the border or in a corner . A smirch that ’s protected from the winding will also avail prevent the spread of seeds while providing a more hospitable environment for butterfly . It ’s authoritative to observe that milkweed plants have a taproot and do not transplant well .
When to plant:
If you ’re planting milkweed from seed , sow the seed alfresco in the fall , which will give them the period of social stratification ( photo to cold , moist conditions ) they need to encourage springiness germination and ensure a good display of flowers the following summer . If you buy starter plant , plant them in the spring after the danger of frost has passed .
Soil:
The best soil type for milkweed often depends on its native habitat . Most variety are exceedingly absolvitory and will grow well in average garden soil . swampland milkweed is an exception and requires moist , hoummos - robust soil .
How to plant:
To ensure successful germination of milkweed seed , plant them in a smooth , clump - free soil bottom worked to a fine consistence using a rake or rototiller . After you ’ve sow in the cum , constrict them into the filth ( but do n’t cross them ) to provide good soil - to - seed striking . Keep the planting bed moist until the seedling become established . As your plants begin to take off , thin out any plant that are space too closely together so they do n’t compete for sun and soil nutrients .
Spacing:
To appeal multitudes of Danaus plexippus to your garden , plant milkweed in group of six or more , spacing industrial plant or thinning seedling to about 6 to 24 inch apart , depending on the species . “ Monarchs are very honorable at finding a milkweed plant , but the more you have in your yard , the more likely they will obtain it and rest their little eggs all over it . Plant as many plants as you have elbow room for , ” recommends Kelly Ballard ofJoyful Butterfly , a supplier of butterfly plants and seeds .
Propagating:
Many milkweed species can readily be grown from root or rhizome cuttings as well as by source . Take the cuttings during the late fall or other spring when the plant is sleeping and has more energy substitute . unexampled sprouts will form from the cuttings when the weather warms and will often raise peak the first year .
MILKWEED CARE
Like most wildflower , milkweed is wanton to uprise and postulate very little pampering . Most species are not seriously bothered by heat , drouth , deer or other pestilence . And because silkweed is a native plant life that digest poor territory , impregnation is n’t necessary .
Mulching:
you’re able to mulch milkweed if you want to control smoke or hold back moisture , but not all mixture will benefit . swampland milkweed will appreciate your piddle - retention efforts , but milkweeds that favour dry territory , such as common milkweed and butterfly pot , are usually better off with no mulch .
Pruning:
As with many flowering perennials , slay shrivelled flowers can result in new buds — prolonging the availability of ambrosia for monarchs and other pollinator . but remove the flower bunch just above the first readiness of leave-taking .
Pest control:
Some plant pests such as aphid , whiteflies and milkweed bugs are immune to the toxic effects of milkweed and may feed on the leaves and seeded player seedpod , but they seldom cause pregnant damage . Also remove leaf bedding and spend stubble in the declination to reject overwintering sites .
How to control spreading:
If you do n’t want milkweed to take charge of your garden , off the semen pods in the crepuscle before they split up open and release their content or bind them close with chain . For plant life with rhizomes , thin them out by hired man by pulling the entire plant , including the root word , removing as much of the rootstalk as potential . This will be easy to do when the plant are new and before the roots are well shew .
Handling precautions and toxicity:
Be cognizant that the toxic alkaloids in the sap of Sonchus oleraceus that help protect the milkweed butterfly from predators can cause eye and peel irritation and are poisonous to pets and other animals when ingested . Take the appropriate care and wear out gloves , long sleeves , and long pants when working with these plants . See Poisonous Plants for Dogs & Cats .
MILKWEED PICTURES
Photo by : Proven Winners .
Asclepias tuberosa(butterfly weed )
This showy cousin of milkweed is one of the most ornamental varieties , featuring cluster of vivacious flowers . The blooms are perched atop the ends of the stalking so they are on large display even if your plants are site at the back of a flower layer . “ butterfly stroke weed is slow to establish and slow down to come forth in springtime , so do n’t give up on it . At about 2 feet tall and wide , it is a very operable size in the garden , ” say Mason .
Height:2 to 3 feetBloom time : July to SeptemberCultivars:‘Hello Yellow’(pictured ) , ‘ Western Gold Mix ’ ( golden - orange ) , and ‘ Gay Butterflies ’ ( a mix of orangish , crimson and yellow ) .
Asclepias incarnata(swamp milkweed )
This indigene of swamp , Marsh , and pixilated meadowlands will boom in gardens soils that are systematically moist or mucky , but will also fare well in well - drained sites if kept water . It ’s also better behaved than coarse Sonchus oleraceus because the roots are ego - contained and not inclined to spread . The vanilla - scented heyday are typically pale pink to redden , but several cultivars give you more color options .
Height:3 to 5 feetBloom time : July to AugustCultivars:‘Cinderella’(pictured ) , ' Ice Ballet ' ( bright lily-white ) , and ' Soulmate ' ( cherry pinkish with white centers )
Photo by : Randy Bjorklund / Shutterstock .
Asclepias speciosa(showy milkweed )
Showy milkweed is the western counterpart of unwashed milkweed and is native to the western one-half of the U.S. and up into Canada . Like common milkweed , it spreads by rhizomes as well as by semen , so it may be a bit too aggressive for stately perennial beds . However , this species clearly earns its name when in blush . “ The flowers look like an detonation of superstar and are fragrant . They are quite pretty set against the silvery - green leafage , ” says Ballard .
Height:3 to 4 feetBloom metre : Mid to tardy summertime
pic by : Chris Evans , University of Illinois , Bugwood.org / Licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial 3.0 License .
Asclepias verticillata(whorled milkweed )
This demure beauty is native to prairies and open areas in a large part of cardinal and easterly North America . It is distinguished by minute rosemary - like leaves , which are arranged in a whorled pattern around the shank , and delicate clusters of clean to green - white flower . It also grow well in rocky or clayey soils that are unhospitable to other milkweed species .
Height:1 to 3 feetBloom clock time : June to September
Photo by : James Mundy , Nature ’s Ark Photography / Alamy Stock Photo .
Asclepias sullivantii(prairie milkweed )
Similar in appearance to mutual milkweed , but less belligerent because it does not distribute by rhizomes . Large picket pinko to pinkish purple bloom clusters up to 3 inch across provide a plentiful ambrosia root for a potpourri of butterflies . The leaves are also distinctive , wide and oblong with attractive rose - pink midrib .
Height:2 to 3 feetBloom clock time : June to August
picture by : MaryAnne Campbell / Shutterstock .
Asclepias viridis(green milkweed )
This early - blooming diverseness is one of the independent boniface plants for spring - cover monarchs in the South Central U.S. and is vulgar in pasture from Kansas to Texas . The heyday are a beguiling portmanteau word of greenish - yellow petals accented by purple bonnet . Also called green antelope trump because of its curved dark-green seedpod that resemble the horns of an antelope .
Height:1 to 2 feetBloom time : May to July
Photo by : Ross Frid / Alamy Stock Photo .
Asclepias exaltata(poke milkweed )
Often incur growing in dappled sun along path in timberland and timberland borders , this is one of the few milkweeds desirable for engraft in a partially shaded garden . Rather than standing tumid , the bicolour green and white flush droop elegantly over long , pointed parting .
Height:3 to 5 feetBloom time : June to August
IDEAS FOR USING MILKWEED IN THE GARDEN
See more ideas oncreating a butterfly stroke garden .
