Create Your Garden

Save Monarch Butterflies with these Ornamental Milweeds

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, Common Milkweed, Butterflyweed, Swamp Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, Mexican Whorled Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis, Asclepias curassavica

Mostly native to the U.S. and Canada, Asclepias include over 100 species of evergreen or deciduous perennials adorned with clusters of small, interestingly shaped blooms that are irresistible to butterflies. Attractive and easy to grow, they shine in many perennial gardens and are a key component of butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, or prairies and meadows.

Milkweed plants are critical to monarch butterflies‘ survival. The biggest danger to the monarch butterfly is the disappearance of Milkweed because of habitat destruction and the widespread use of herbicides by both commercial farms and state highway departments. Without Milkweed, monarchs cannot successfully reproduce and the species declines. In the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population in North America has decreased by 90%. By planting milkweed in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!

There are many varieties of Milkweed — some varieties do well in full sun and can tolerate drought, while others prefer marshy conditions. Make it a goal to include a few plants to help the monarchs and select the varieties ideally suited for your garden and growing conditions.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Genus Asclepias
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Best Milkweed Flowers for Monarch Butterflies

Garden Examples

A Pretty Duo to Try: Asclepias and Geranium
A Pretty Duo to Try: Asclepias and Salvia
A Sparkling Summer Border Idea with Easy-to-Grow Perennials
Compare All Asclepias (Milkweed)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Asclepias (Milkweed)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Genus Asclepias
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
Compare All Asclepias (Milkweed)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Asclepias (Milkweed)

Related Items

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    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.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    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.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone