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Narrow leaf milkweed seedling10/13/2023 ![]() The best species to grow in your garden is the one native to your area. Since it can thrive in average garden soil, beginners prefer this species over the others. Of these four, the common milkweed’s pink or purplish flowers are the most fragrant and will bloom from June to August. This species is famous for its deep pink to rose-purple flowers that bloom from June to October. On the other hand, if your area is more moist than dry, you can grow swamp milkweeds instead. These milkweed species prefer dry conditions, so plant them alongside each other for a more decorative display. Like the butterfly weed, whorled milkweed produces flowers from May through September, but this species has greenish-white blooms. The butterfly weed blooms from May through September, displaying bright yellow or orange flowers. The most common milkweed species you can grow in most states are the butterfly weed, swamp milkweed, whorled milkweed, and the common milkweed. What’s more, planting milkweed in your garden means providing shelter and food to the butterfly populations that depend on them. Milkweed can adapt and thrive in various growing conditions, so it’s perfectly possible even for beginners to grow them. To help boost their population in your area, you can plant milkweed in your garden.Īt the same time, this simple act will also increase the number of pollinators in your area.Īs an irresistible pollinator, milkweed attracts different kinds of butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. Sadly, their natural habitat is widely affected by the widespread use of pesticides and the destruction of meadows for urban and agricultural development. Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed leaves and won’t survive elsewhere. Of all the plants in the world, Asclepias is the only genus that can host a monarch butterfly’s egg-laying. ![]() More About Milkweed and Monarch Butterflies The plant’s bitter, milky juices serve as the larvae’s only food source, so without them, this iconic butterfly species will cease to exist. That said, they are mostly cultivated to house the larvae of monarch butterflies. Today, the seeds’ silky material is often used to fill lifejackets. What Is Milkweed?īack in the day, milkweed was used for its healing properties. You can plant them in spring, but they will remain dormant until the soil warms up. That’s why it’s best to plant them in the fall. When to plant milkweed? Milkweed seeds have to freeze and thaw to soften their coating and allow germination. ![]() Naturally, these flowers attract pollinators, most especially the monarch butterfly, making them a valuable addition to any butterfly garden. While some see them as weeds, their beautiful and fragrant orange, pink, or purple blooms are undoubtedly a sight to behold. Commonly known as milkweed, the genus Asclepias has roughly 140 species of flowering plants.
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