![]() However, the plant can play host to a parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha. Butterflies do feed on it in fact, they’re very attracted to it. It’s very easy to propagate and care for, and it’s become naturalized in some regions of southern Texas and western California. curassavica) is a pretty plant with slender leaves and bright red and yellow blooms. It grows to about 3 feet and does need protection from harsh summer sunlight. This grows in the mountains and woodlands with more water in Arizona. angustifolia)Īnother white-flowered variety of milkweed, with an occasional light-pink shading. A distinguishing feature is the white fuzz that covers its stems. It is drought-tolerant and grows to only about 3 feet. This purple milkweed is native to central and southern California, and it prefers drier areas. It does need full sun and well-draining soil that’s slightly acidic. It likes moister areas like river banks despite not needing a lot of water, so if your yard is near a stream, this might be a great variety for you. This is the only white milkweed that grows in the state. This grows in the higher elevations of western and southwestern Texas, such as around the Trans-Pecos region and the Edwards Plateau. There are too many to discuss in one article – for example, Texas has about 36 native varieties and Nebraska has about 17 – but a few are standouts. These varieties have the best chance of doing very well and withstanding whatever climate issues your region throws at them. If you really want some low-maintenance, monarch-friendly plants, look for varieties that are native to your region. The flowers’ fragrance is sometimes reminiscent of vanilla. Tight clusters of flowers ranging from light to hot pink in color bloom from early summer to mid-autumn. This is a more shade-tolerant variety that needs a lot of moisture, with soil that’s usually wet. It is rather short, with plants growing to about 3 to 4 feet, with a few getting as tall as 6 feet. ![]() This is another sun-loving plant that needs water. Ball-shaped clusters of flowers that are star-shaped and usually blush or rosy pink bloom in summer. This is a good choice for the western half of North America. It also needs soil that’s on the moister side. This variety needs a lot of sunlight don’t place it near areas that get any shade. Balls of small pink-to-purple flowers appear only in summer. Tall stalks of common milkweed, growing mainly to 5 feet but occasionally to as much as 8 feet, contrast with shorter butterfly weed. It can bloom from May to September, so be sure to deadhead the plant regularly to promote more blooming. It needs full sun and well-draining soil it’s also drought-tolerant. This is a short variety that reaches only 2 feet in height. Many cultivars have yellow blossoms, while some have bright orange or red. tuberosa)īrilliantly colored flowers carpet the surface of butterfly weed. Some milkweeds grow very well no matter where they’re planted in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-9. In general, plant milkweeds in full sun, and put them in areas that aren’t too windy so that seeds don’t spread all over your yard and disrupt your garden design with new milkweeds in spring. Deadhead wilted flowers by cutting the stem above the top set of leaves prune by cutting off stems about 6 inches above the ground after the seed pods have matured. Milkweeds are perennials and are found over much of North America.ĭo be aware that the sap from some varieties is a skin irritant, so you’ll need gloves when deadheading the plant in summer and pruning it in fall. These are so easy to grow that for a long time they were considered annoying weeds instead of desirable flowers. The plants have gorgeous sprays of fragrant flowers in colors ranging from white to red to purple, and even some in beige and green. That’s not to say that milkweeds aren’t worth planting if you’re not interested in providing caterpillar food. A lot of milkweed planted now goes into butterfly and pollinator gardens. If there’s no milkweed, there won’t be any monarchs. Milkweeds ( Asclepias spp.) are somewhat special in this regard as they’re the only plant that monarch caterpillars – which grow into the threatened monarch butterfly – can eat. Flowers are usually chosen for gardens based on color, ease of care, or another physical feature.
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