Milkweed

The more I learn about the plight of the Monarch's, the more horrified I am. Our vanity is killing off entire species, including the Monarch.  The next time you pick up your bottle of weed-killer, consider that what you are doing is not just killing your pesky weeds growing in your driveway but also the milkweed population, on which the Monarch depends not only as a food source but where they lay eggs.  Poisoning the world is not the way to go.  We love to blame the demon pesticides and the farmer's that use them, but it would make a HUGE difference if homeowners would stop being consumers of this nightmare chemical.  We can do this.  And it is worth doing.

SAVE THE MONARCHS...plant some milkweed!

---

Swamp Milkweed
​(Asclepius incarnata)

Beautiful rose to lilac blooms on tall 35 – 50″ plants set swamp milkweed apart. A good choice for the back of border plantings, or place it near streams or boggy areas, as this variety gets its name because it tolerates having wet feet. One of the best varieties for attracting Monarchs, but also just a great all around pollinator plant. Summer blooming. Full sun to part shade. Perennial. 

Common Milkweed
(Asclepius syriaca)

Do your part to help the beautiful Monarch butterfly with this preferred food source of their caterpillars. Bright pink to red vanilla-scented flowers appear in June and July. Seeds must be stratified before sowing. Full sun. Perennial.

Butterfly Milkweed
(Asclepius tuberosa)

Lovely orange flowers cluster together against dark green leaves. Very attractive to butterflies. Plants grow 18-30″ high. Seeds must be stratified before sowing. Full sun. Summer blooming perennial.