Make sure they get good airflow to prevent damping off, and keep the soil watered but not soaking wet. Each year, you will probably find some variation in what attracts them, so it’s best to have 3-4 varieties to choose from. Figure 2. Each milkweed also has its own fragrance and unique characteristics. 5. ... For this reason, milkweed seed is best sown in fall. Hi Joanne, here’s info about harvesting seed: Do we cut the old blooms and will it re bloom? You might want to check out my milkweed resources page to see all your options. Have you tried the yellow-flowered tithonia diversifolia as a perennial? Just follow the spacing guidelines and you should be good…. The weather and water supply will determine the timing and length of the bloom. If you want to keep it spreading by seed, clip off the seedpods before they have a chance to mature and drop. Return to a boil and then discard the water. Once they find you, they’ll keep coming back. Wondering what could be wrong? The adult butterflies can feed on the nectar of a variety of plants, but the caterpillars only eat milkweed leaves. You can plant a variety of milkweed species alongside ornamental grasses, like the Bluestems, for a naturalized prairie look. Showy milkweed (A. speciosa) pods, seeds, and floss. The bloom on your plant will vary on the timing and duration of the bloom. I did try pulling all the roots out on year and transplanting. Each piece of the rhizome should have at least one bud If it doesn’t grow well this season, I would consider transplanting or amending the soil in its current location…you could also transplant some to a different microclimate of your garden now and see which area the plants seem happier. Milkweed seeds need a process called stratification to help them germinate. Hi Lisa, I’m not sure which region you live in but as long as the roots don’t freeze inside the pot and it’s big enough to support the root system, I would give it a go. Garden is all first year. I am tempted to rip it all out but the leaves provide such a perfect host for the monarch eggs. This perennial is better for manicured gardens because it doesn’t spread as quickly or as aggressively as Common M. It’s smaller growing 2′-4′ tall with large leaves. Although Monarchs have preferences of some varieties over others, Monarchs will feed on most species of milkweed. Plants grow to 40 inches tall and have large, round clusters of pink flowers. The long, oblong leaves are light green and grow to about 8 inches long. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. Make sure you leave the caterpillars alone to eat in peace. Do you know of a way I can get rid of the aphids? Good luck! Here are some of the main types grown, but check with this guide to find suggestions for the region you live in: Butterfly weed usually has bright orange flowers, although some cultivars are red- or yellow-flowering. Host plant simply means that monarch mamas lay their eggs on or near milkweed plants so that hatching caterpillars can feed on the milkweed leaves. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions on purchases. Place the plants in their holes so that the top of each root ball is just level with the soil line. All are perennials in their native climates, but some- like tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) – are annuals if grown in northern regions. Hi Bonnie, we grow speciosa (not ‘Davis’) in our northern climate. Once your seeds sprout, place the flats under grow lights or by a sunny window. Are the eggs visible and when does the caterpillar form appear? I’ve sought to pull out most of it, in favor of fascicularis which came back after being cut down in November. I’ve found this growing wild near me – Colorado Springs – and I’d like to collect some seeds but what do they look like? During droughts, keep the flowers blooming with weekly watering. I have 10 beehives and am wondering which flowering type would suit both butterflies and bees in my Maryland garden. If you want to increase the survival rate of monarchs in your garden, you could always bring in a few to raise. You’ll want to get your seeds started 4-8 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Milkweeds (Asclepias) get their name from the sticky white sap that oozes from the leaves when they are damaged. Before actually sowing the seeds, you can mimic the winter conditions that break down the seed coat to improve germination. A grayish, velvety plant with erect leafy stems and with umbels of star-like pinkish flowers in upper axils and at top. DIfferent species of milkweed prefer different soil types, but most varieties are tolerant of poor and imperfect soil conditions. Hi Robin, speciosa is a somewhat aggressive grower with underground rhizomes so it probably wouldn’t be one of the best species to grow in containers. Tony, thanks for the reply. Whenever you can start plants from cuttings it gives you a huge head start compared to seed starting. The instructions do not say anything about a cold treatment but other things I’ve read say they should be refrigerated for 2 months. I wonder how well milkweed does as a potted plant, as I have no place other than a deck to plant things. Collecting Milkweed Seeds. Hi Maximus, it’s a good idea to cut back not only because of fungus, but to discard foliage/stems with OE spores. The milkweed flower (Asclepias syriaca) and its cousin butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) are an integral part of the butterfly garden, a source of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. if you are looking for a more “aggressive” spreading milkweed common milkweed (asclepias syriaca) would be a good option. The cuttings should be made when the plant is dormant. The plant is also a food source for Native American tribes. You can always try it. Use a light-colored one that is deep, as root systems of milkweed plants can grow large. Hi Jane, we are in our early days with this variety too. Established milkweed plants are rarely affected by pests or diseases. Now, so it’s ready for fall planting in hardiness zone 7a. Thank you on advanced, heather. I believe I saw a singleMonarch for the first time on one of two patches of ASSP I have. You can start them from seed, for a cost-effective project. I just wanted to let you know that monarch caterpillars will eat other leaves like marigolds, & pentas. Some species grow exclusively in specific regions while others will thrive in jus… The seeds can be sown outdoors in the fall or winter-sown. I have two good-sized patches but would like to add another and there is some crowding in the existing gardens, plus a few volunteers where I’d prefer to have nectar plants. If you have young second year plants, that would be the best time to attempt a transplant. Would love to hear feedback before it’s too late! Hi Heather, if you fall plant or winter sow, your winter weather will give the seeds a natural cold moist stratification. They have a more informal than formal look and do well with similar plants. I have started showy from rhizome cuttings very successfully! Later, you can apply some leaf mulch insurance to protect the roots over winter. We found 5 eggs on our showy last week. Add in some goldenrod or black-eyed Susans to complete the look. Starting milkweed from seed is tricky. Milkweed plants grow well in dry or loamy soil as long as the area drains well. Hi Michelle, butterflies find nectar plants and milkweed through sight and smell…finding plants 8 feet above ground level will not be a problem…. We have a large pollinator garden with different types of milkweed and the showy seems to send out rhizomes which are coming up in the middle of our other plant groupings such as liatris. It appears, in my area, this may be a preferred type of milkweed. This means you’ll want to sow your seeds or plant your seedlings in a permanent location rather than planning to move plants later. If not, you might be better off getting a few plants for this season and planting your seeds directly in fall: you could also split them and plant some now, and some when autumn rolls around…good luck! Dig holes that are slightly deeper and 1-2 times as wide as the root ball of your plants. Most types of milkweed need to be planted in full sun (meaning areas that get a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight a day). I have planted several types of milkweed for the monarchs migration through northern Kentucky. I also had a huge Mexican Sunflower all fall and don’t this year, no red to speak of to attract them. I don’t want to introduce an invasive species. Most seeds need a period of chilling called vernalization and stratification to germinate and then flower. I will also add them to a sunny area in the back but the soil is far more acidic in that area because of a species of asian pine tree. I actually took rhizome cuttings with small sprouts from existing Showy Milkweed and it appears I now have a two dozen new plants in the meadow patch. Milkweed works well with a variety of annual and perennial plants, especially other natives. I would like to grow milk weed next to my grassy neighbor’s field, which is cut regularly but all organic. I have always went out and cut the stalks down to ground level at this time. Swamp milkweed will eventually form a large clump and is best spaced 2-3 feet apart. This is a great milkweed species for smaller spaces, since plants top out at 2 or 3 feet. I know its the beginning of the dormant season (my first year of growing it), so shall I cut it down to the ground? There is lots of info on the website that should help you get started: Please avoid tropical milkweed to help monarchs. With your help, both milkweed plants and Monarch butterflies can make a comeback with your butterfly garden. In our garden I’ve seen the most honey bees on non-native tropical milkweed. A more manageable garden plant than common milkw Toggle Nav ... Showy Milkweed. Monarchs only eat milkweed. There are a few more commonly grown species of milkweed but over 70 in total that are native to every region of the U.S. as well as parts of southern Canada. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterfliesespecially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. Here’s everything you need to know about milkweed plant and how to successfully grow milkweed plants in your garden. Only time will tell…, Aloha, Is it dangerous to plant showy milkweed in the islands? Milkweed spreads both by seed and by underground rhizomes. I would keep the patch separate from other garden plants. The only milkweed plant that doesn't exude the latex is Butterfly Milkweed and the Monarchs will still feed on this type. Hi Kaye, I haven’t tried planting that in the upper midwest, but if it’s not attracting any butterfly activity I would suggest diversifying your milkweed. I don’t want it spreading everywhere because I have a rather small yard and already am having a little trouble with common MW spreading through the rhizomes. Rebecca. Would this variety of milkweed do well in a container? I love your webiste, it helped me so much during my first year of raising monarchs. The many varieties of milkweed plants bloom with both subtle and bright colors, and the whole milkweed plant is vital to the life cycle of Monarch butterflies as their sole host plant, and has also been used as a food source by Native American tribes. This milky substance can cause skin irritation and is toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals when ingested. 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