Asclepias Is Vital to the Survival of Monarch Butterflies
The U.S. population of the monarch butterfly has drastically fallen in recent years. Scientists say the iconic orangeand- black insects are particularly scarce in Western states, due largely to the destruction of their asclepias habitat by pesticides and herbicides along their migratory route to California. Milkweeds are crucial to the monarch's survival.
The butterflies lay their eggs on them, and the newly hatched larvae feed on the leaves. Because monarch females usually deposit just one egg per plant, their offspring don't harm milkweeds.
Native to North America, asclepias-- more commonly known as milkweed-- provides a steady food source for many pollinators, including beautiful monarch butterflies.
Easily attract butterflies, honeybees and hummingbirds to your landscape with freeflowering, colourful and nectarladen asclepias. Also called milkweed, this herbaceous perennial spreads and multiplies year after year to create longlasting displays. They are an essential source of food for monarch butterflies, which are rapidly disappearing in the U.S.
Use milkweed to add beauty to butterfly and cottage gardens, prairies and meadows. Flowers and seedpods, which form after the blooms, add colour and substance to dried arrangements.
This collection includes:
Soulmate Yields fragrant, 2" clusters of cherrypink blooms with white centres. Ideal for adding vivacious colour to borders, decorative containers and cutting gardens. Asclepias incarnata
Hello Yellow Its first 2-2½" clusters of golden-yellow flowers for the season arrive in early summer to brighten borders, cutting gardens and containers. Easily grown. Asclepias tuberosa
Orange Glory Flower Bears masses of wonderfully fragrant, bright orange flower heads rich with nectar. Beautifies any garden, border,naturalized planting or bouquet. Asclepias tuberosa
Ice Ballet The mildly scented, small, snow-white flowers it produces are set off by the deep green foliage. After the blooms appear, attractive, 4" seedpods form.
Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa
Form: Perennial
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Flowering Time: Summer time
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Flower Color: Collection, see individual varieties
Flower Form: Milkweed-like blossoms. Flowers about 1/2 cm across in short umbel-like cymes or clusters.
Foliage Type: Alternate, lanceolate or oblong, 2-6" long and 0.25 to 0.75" wide.
Growth Rate: Medium
Height/Habit: 16 - 48 inches
Spread: 18 - 30 inches
Planting Instructions: Top of plant should be just below the soil and 18-30" apart
Soil Requirements: Well drained
Will Tolerate: Acidic Soil, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Loamy Soil, Sandy Soil
Pruning: Remove spent blooms can prolong blooming time.
