EcoBeneficial Tips: Milkweeds for Monarchs

Tips, Tricks

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Milkweeds (Asclepias species) are the only host plants for the caterpillars for the threatened Monarch Butterfly. No Milkweeds = No Monarchs. Learn about some of our great native milkweeds with Kim Eierman of EcoBeneficial!

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I had been growing common milkweed for the last 6 years with no interest from Monarchs at any time, and the flowers only lasted about a week. Then last year I tried adding Swamp milkweed and narrowleaf milkweed and the difference was astonishing! Monarch butterflies will make a bee line for the swamp and narrowleaf types, laying eggs immediately and feeding on the flowers. My narrowleaf was eaten down to the ground by three larvae while I saw at least five on the swamps. The swamp and narrowleaf types also flower from june all through september. I am also including Liatris and hope to use Joe Pye weed next year.

Thanks so much for the video! More people need to know this, whether they care or not. It takes no effort to grow Milkweed, and most people who see the results get hooked! That's how it happened with me. One plant and four fat caterpillars later, I was hooked on Butterfly Gardening for life. Now it's impossible to imagine my garden without the Monarch :( Thank you for all you do. I plant a variety of Milkweed at my place, and they all get much attention, especially this year it seems. I am hopeful after the horrible drought 3 yrs ago and a real dearth of butterfly numbers in general.
I love Asclepias purpurescens-oozes nectar!
I also like to plant Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Poke Milkweed (A. exaltata) and Whorled Milkweed (A. verticellata).
Swamp Milkweed is great for those moist places too damp for other Asclepias, plus it transplants easily. No underground runners, like Common Milkweed. And Monarchs seem to prefer it here to any other milkweed. Comes also in white Alba form known as "Ice Ballet".
Poke Milkweed grows in more shade and is good for those hidden corners.Nice and leafy.
Whorled Milkweed is wispy and elegant, though there has to be a lot of it, and it is somewhat aggressive.
Hope this little list gives you some ideas for your area.
Keep up the good work!!

Thanks Kim, nice video. I've seen pictures of monarch butterflies feeding on Joe Pye weed.
I am not clear on the difference between milkweed and joe pye weed. They must both be beneficial for the monarchs. ?
I've got some lawn area that I would like to make more useful. New Hampshire, sandy, semi-shade most of the day with late afternoon sun. Any suggestions?

Great video. Your film footage of the plants and habitats is always so nice. And that Asclepias tuberosa looks to be on steriods it is so happy. Asclepias purpurescens - I saw it about a month ago at Mt. Cuba. Neat plant & love the purple flowers.