Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
A Monarch butterfly stroke flow on nectar from a Sonchus oleraceus . picture by : Catherine Avilez / Shutterstock .
Never judge a plant by its name . That ’s sure as shooting the case with this wildflower that is n’t really a weed at all . This hard native of North American fields , wetland , and prairies is the sole emcee works for the struggling milkweed butterfly butterfly .
“ Summer in a milkweed patch is a colorful 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 perched on a flower or find one of its caterpillar grazing the leaf . ”
On this page : Basics|Growing|Care|Milkweed Pictures|Using Milkweed in the Garden
MILKWEED BASICS
silkweed ( Asclepias ) get their name from the sticky livid sap that transude from the leaves when they are damaged . More than 100 species of this herbaceous perennial are native to the U.S. and Canada .
Types of milkweed:
Three specie of Sonchus oleraceus are good all - around selection for gardens in most part of the body politic :
swampland milkweed and butterfly weed are extremely ornamental 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 - aboriginal species that should be avoid , as it can cause hurt to monarchs . Read more about it from theXeres Society .
Flower characteristics:
The tiny , lead - forge flowers of milkweed are perfectly designed for pollination . look on the plant , milkweed flowers bloom in yellow , green , purple , pink , or orangish . as well designed are the enceinte seed pod that arise from the fertilized flowers . In the fall , these proficient ego - sower split open to release one C of seed .
Height:
Zones:
Attracts:
Why it’s a must for monarchs:
Milkweed is both a food source and the only host plant for monarch butterfly butterflies , who repose their eggs on the underside of the leaves . The larvae feed on the leaves after brood , but induce no lasting legal injury to the plant . In tour , the toxic chemicals in the sap of milkweed plant make both the caterpillar and grownup butterflies unappetizing to predator .
“ [ During milkweed butterfly migration ] flight of steps is fire by nectaring on the flowers and is punctuated by laying eggs on milkweeds . To grow and sustain each generation , milkweed is the only food involve , ” says Agrawal .
GROWING MILKWEED
Where to plant:
Most milkweed require full sun ( at least 6 to 8 hours a Clarence Day ) . Because they ego - seed readily , turn up your works in a part of the garden where you’re able to advantageously control their rearing spread , such as at the back of the border or in a turning point . A spot that ’s protected from the current of air will also help keep the spread of source while allow a more hospitable environment for butterflies . It ’s authoritative to note that milkweed plants have a taproot and do not transfer well .
When to plant:
If you ’re planting milkweed from seed , inseminate the seeds outdoors in the fall , which will give them the time period of stratification ( pic to dusty , moist conditions ) they need to advance spring germination and ensure a good display of flowers the following summer . If you buy starter works , implant them in the saltation after the risk of frost has passed .
Soil:
The best soil type for silkweed often depend on its native home ground . Most varieties are passing absolvitory and will spring up well in mediocre garden soil . swampland milkweed is an exception and requires moist , humus - rich soil .
How to plant:
To check successful sprouting of milkweed seeds , plant them in a tranquil , clump - liberal soil bed worked to a fine consistency using a rake or rototiller . After you ’ve sow the seeds , compress them into the ground ( but do n’t cover them ) to provide good dirt - to - seed contact . Keep the planting seam moist until the seedlings become base . As your plants begin to take off , lose weight out any plants that are space too closely together so they do n’t compete for sun and filth nutrients .
Spacing:
To attract multitudes of monarchs to your garden , plant life milkweed in groups of six or more , space plant life or thinning seedling to about 6 to 24 inches aside , depending on the mintage . “ Monarchs are very good at finding a milkweed plant life , but the more you have in your 1000 , the more likely they will chance it and lay their little ballock all over it . works as many plants as you have elbow room for , ” recommend Kelly Ballard ofJoyful Butterfly , a provider of butterfly plants and seed .
Propagating:
Many milkweed species can promptly be uprise from base or rhizome cut as well as by seed . Take the clipping during the recent fall or early spring when the plant is torpid and has more energy reserves . New sprouts will make from the cuttings when the weather warms and will often farm flowers the first year .
MILKWEED CARE
Like most wildflowers , milkweed is soft to grow and requires very little mollycoddle . Most species are not seriously bothered by heat , drouth , deer or other pest . And because silkweed is a aboriginal industrial plant that tolerates misfortunate soils , dressing is n’t necessary .
Mulching:
you could mulch milkweed if you want to control weeds or retain wet , but not all varieties will do good . swampland milkweed will appreciate your water - retentiveness efforts , but milkweeds that favour juiceless territory , such as common milkweed and butterfly grass , are usually better off with no mulch .
Pruning:
As with many flowering perennial , removing withered flowers can result in new bud — prolong the availability of ambrosia for monarchs and other pollinators . just remove the flower cluster just above the first set of leaves .
Pest control:
Some industrial plant pests such as aphid , whiteflies and milkweed bug are resistant to the toxic gist of silkweed and may course on the farewell and seed pod , but they seldom have significant damage . Also remove leaf bedding material and spend stalks in the declivity to eliminate overwintering sites .
How to control spreading:
If you do n’t desire milkweed to take charge of your garden , remove the seed pods in the fall before they split open and release their contents or tie them closed with chain . For plants with rhizome , thin them out by hand by rend the entire plant , including the roots , removing as much of the rootstalk as possible . This will be easier to do when the plant are new and before the roots are well established .
Handling precautions and toxicity:
Be mindful that the toxic alkaloids in the sap of milkweed that help protect the monarchs from predators can cause optic and skin irritation and are poisonous to pets and other animals when ingested . Take the appropriate guard and wear gloves , long sleeve , and foresighted knickers when working with these plants . See Poisonous Plants for Dogs & Cats .
MILKWEED PICTURES
exposure by : Proven Winners .
Asclepias tuberosa(butterfly weed )
This flamboyant cousin of milkweed is one of the most ornamental varieties , featuring clusters of vibrant flowers . The blooms are perched atop the remainder of the angry walk so they are on prominent video display even if your plant are settle at the back of a blossom bed . “ Butterfly dope is slow to establish and slow to come out in spring , so do n’t give up on it . At about 2 foot tall and wide , it is a very operational size of it in the garden , ” allege Mason .
Height:2 to 3 feetBloom time : July to SeptemberCultivars:‘Hello Yellow’(pictured ) , ‘ Western Gold Mix ’ ( golden - orangeness ) , and ‘ Gay Butterflies ’ ( a commixture of orange , red and yellow ) .
Asclepias incarnata(swamp milkweed )
This aboriginal of swamps , marshes , and loaded meadowlands will flourish in garden dirt that are consistently moist or soggy , but will also get along well in well - drained internet site if kept water . It ’s also better bear than common silkweed because the roots are self - contained and not prepared to spread . The vanilla extract - scented flowers are typically sick pink to blush , but several cultivar give you more color options .
Height:3 to 5 feetBloom time : July to AugustCultivars:‘Cinderella’(pictured ) , ' Ice Ballet ' ( vivid bloodless ) , and ' Soulmate ' ( cherry red pink with white centers )
exposure by : Randy Bjorklund / Shutterstock .
Asclepias speciosa(showy milkweed )
Showy milkweed is the western counterpart of plebeian milkweed and is native to the westerly one-half of the U.S. and up into Canada . Like common silkweed , it spread by rootstalk as well as by seed , so it may be a flake too fast-growing for formal perennial beds . However , this species clearly earn its name when in bloom . “ The flush look like an explosion of stars and are fragrant . They are quite pretty mark against the silvery - green foliage , ” tell Ballard .
Height:3 to 4 feetBloom time : Mid to late summer
exposure by : Chris Evans , University of Illinois , Bugwood.org / Licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial 3.0 License .
Asclepias verticillata(whorled milkweed )
This demure mantrap is native to prairies and open field in a great part of central and easterly North America . It is distinguished by narrow-minded rosemary - like leaves , which are arranged in a whorled pattern around the fore , and fragile clusters of white to dark-green - white flowers . It also grow well in rocky or clayey soils that are unhospitable to other milkweed specie .
Height:1 to 3 feetBloom time : June to September
pic by : James Mundy , Nature ’s Ark Photography / Alamy Stock Photo .
Asclepias sullivantii(prairie milkweed )
Similar in appearance to uncouth Sonchus oleraceus , but less fast-growing because it does not fan out by rhizomes . Large pale pink to pinkish royal bloom clusters up to 3 inches across allow a plentiful ambrosia beginning for a mixture of butterflies . The leaves are also distinctive , across-the-board and oblong with attractive roseate - pink midrib .
Height:2 to 3 feetBloom fourth dimension : June to August
Photo by : MaryAnne Campbell / Shutterstock .
Asclepias viridis(green milkweed )
This early on - blooming variety show is one of the main boniface plants for give - breeding monarchs in the South Central U.S. and is usual in pasture from Kansas to Texas . The flowers are a beguiling portmanteau word of greenish - yellow petals accented by purple hood . Also scream green antelope horn because of its curved greenish seedpods 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 line up produce in mottled sunlight along paths in timber and woodland borders , this is one of the few milkweeds suitable for plant in a partially shaded garden . Rather than endure erect , the dichromatic green and blanched bloom droop elegantly over long , pointed leaves .
Height:3 to 5 feetBloom prison term : June to August
IDEAS FOR USING MILKWEED IN THE GARDEN
See more ideas oncreating a butterfly garden .
