Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Butterflyweed, Swamp Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, Mexican Whorled Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis, Asclepias curassavica
Milkweed is important for conservation. It creates critical habitat for the monarch butterfly. This species has had significant population losses in recent years.
Asclepias, commonly known as milkweed, is a genus of perennial, herbaceous plants native to North America, South America, and Africa. There are about 140 species of Asclepias, each with its unique characteristics, but most share similar growth habits and cultural needs.
Popular Milkweed Species: The most common species are common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnate).
Habit and Size: Generally, Asclepias plants grow upright, reaching heights between 2 to 6 feet (60-180 cm), depending on the species. Their foliage is typically oblong or lanceolate, often with a light, milky sap when broken—hence the name “milkweed”.
Flowers: Milkweed flowers are some of the plant’s most notable features. They bloom in clusters, with each flower composed of five nectar-rich petals that attract various pollinators, particularly butterflies. The blooms come in various colors, including white, pink, orange, and purple, depending on the species. Following the flowers, Asclepias plants produce unique, pod-like fruits filled with seeds attached to silky hairs that help them disperse in the wind.
Blooming Season: Most milkweed plants bloom between late spring and late summer, depending on the species and location,
Hardiness: Asclepias plants are hardy perennials and can be grown in USDA zones 3-10.
Uses: Attractive and easy to grow, they shine in many perennial gardens. They are a key part of butterfly, cottage, prairie, and meadow gardens. They also make excellent cut flowers. Their unique blooms add interest to floral arrangements and can also be dried for use in crafts. Asclepias have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Native Americans used the plant to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory problems, cuts and bruises, and joint pain.
Pollinators: The flowers attract pollinators, including native bees, honey bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies – especially monarch butterflies.
Monarch Butterfly: Milkweed plants are critical to monarch butterflies’ survival. Without Milkweed, monarchs cannot successfully reproduce. However, milkweed has been negatively impacted by habitat loss and the use of pesticides and herbicides. In the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population in North America has decreased by 90%. By planting milkweed in your garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!
Toxicity: The leaves and stems contain a toxic sap that can be harmful to pets, livestock, and humans if ingested. However, some insects, including the monarch butterfly, have evolved to tolerate and even use this toxin to their advantage.
Deer and Rabbit: Deer and rabbits typically avoid milkweed because of its toxicity.
Drought tolerance: Milkweeds are fairly drought-tolerant and are adaptable to various soil conditions, though they prefer well-drained soils.
Invasiveness: Milkweed plants are not considered invasive. However, they can be vigorous growers and potentially spread beyond their intended area.
Asclepias flowers are vital to monarch butterflies. They are the sole plants on which the butterflies lay their eggs. Furthermore, the larvae of the monarch butterflies only feed on Asclepias plants.
The plant contains a toxin that is harmful to many predators. This toxin helps protect the monarch butterfly from being eaten.
Asclepias flowers are also an important source of nectar for adult monarch butterflies. Monarchs require nectar from flowers to provide energy for their long migrations, which can be over 2,000 miles in some cases. They provide a rich source of nectar for monarch butterflies, which helps them complete their migration and reproduce.
Unfortunately, habitat loss and the use of pesticides have led to a decline in Asclepias populations, which has had a significant impact on the monarch butterfly population. In the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population in North America has decreased by 90%. By planting a milkweed plant in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!
Hardiness |
3 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Genus | Asclepias |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Well-Drained |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
S Reed, Shutterstock
Hardiness |
3 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Genus | Asclepias |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Well-Drained |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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