Milkweed Seeds, Butterfly Weed:
Description: The hardy native milkweed is essential to the survival of monarch butterflies. Mature butterflies feed on the nectar produced in the flowers, while the foliage provides food for their larvae. The brilliant orange and yellow flowers are showy in massed plantings, but fascinating up close, with their intricate detail. The three-foot plant is native throughout the eastern and southern regions of the country, usually preferring drier sites, and should be hardy except at very high elevations. Very durable and long-lived once established, and may gently increase on its own in favorable locations. CAUTION: The milky sap is poisonous if ingested in large quantities, and contact with the skin may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Milkweed Seeds, Gay Butterflies:
Description: A citrusy mix of Meyer lemon, tangerine and orange-colored blooms make this a fiery addition to the pollinator garden. Plants stand 24-28 inches tall, topped with cheerful sunshine tones and absolutely buzzing with pollinator action as they bloom from mid to late summer. The fragrant flowers are irresistible to butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects. This is an absolute must have for promoting pollinator diversity in the garden. It is also a host plant for the imperiled monarch caterpillar. Try these fairly drought-tolerant plants in beds, borders, planters, and the landscape or meadow.
Description: This vibrant yellow milkweed is just the ticket to add sunshine to your garden and beckon droves of beneficial insects! Plants stand 1.5- to 3- feet tall and are topped with umbels of lemon yellow blooms, which are wildly attractive to butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other native pollinators. Drought tolerant once established, this is a great choice for meadows, low-water landscaping, beds, borders, and even the cutting garden. Milkweed is the sole food source of the imperiled monarch caterpillar. (CAUTION: The milky sap is poisonous if ingested in large quantities, and contact with the skin may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.)
Description: A super pollinator magnet! The bees could not get enough of these icy-white blooms at our trial gardens in Missouri. This 3-foot-tall milkweed produces lovely white flower umbels that beckon an incredible diversity of beneficial insects and pollinators as they bloom from mid to late summer. A perfect choice for the meadow, cottage garden, beds and borders and, of course, pollinator gardens!
Description: Rosy-pink-flowered milkweed that is the best choice for moist locations, as it is native to wet ground throughout much of North America. Supports the monarch and other butterfly populations as well as bees and hummingbirds. The sweet vanilla fragrance and large numbers of flowers support the gardener’s enjoyment as well. May reach 5 feet tall in favored locations. CAUTION: The milky sap is poisonous if ingested in large quantities, and contact with the skin may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Description: A gorgeous pollinator attractor plant that is host to the monarch butterfly and others. A native milkweed of the western half of the U.S., this herbaceous perennial will bloom from May to September. The ornamental blooms are like fireworks bursting in lavender to pale rose colors. This beneficial insect magnet provides food and habitat to the monarch butterfly and is a larval host to dogbane tiger moth and queen butterfly; the apple clearwing moth is attracted to this plant as well. Plants can grow up to 5 feet tall.
Description: A vanilla-scented swamp milkweed with gorgeous ballet slipper pink blooms. Pollinators cannot resist this mid- to late-summer bloomer! The flower umbels will be covered in a haze of beneficial insect action, from bees to butterflies and even hummingbirds! The monarch butterfly is especially fond of this variety. Plants reach just over 3 feet tall and are fantastic in the meadow, cottage garden, beds, borders, and, of course, pollinator gardens!
Description: Wow! A true blue-flowered milkweed that makes an excellent cut flower and will attract a range of pollinators! Tweedia is native to South America, where it grows as a scrambling vine. As an annual it will average about 2 feet tall. Beware of irritating and toxic sap when cut. Perennial zones 10-11, frost-tender annual in cooler zones. Easy-to-grow & fast blooming.
