One of the keys to attracting pollinators is to plant what they like. That means providing plants that give the pollinators food and shelter for all stages of development. Monarch butterflies one pollinator that can benefit from planting milkweed but there are many other insects and creatures that can benefit from the perennial. Also please keep in mind that milkweed is only one plant of many that should be planted to support Monarchs and other pollinators. It mixes well with other plants like golden rod (solidago), ironweed (Vernonia), and many other native plants to create a thriving ecosystem for our pollinators.
Asclepias tuberosa
also known as Orange Butterfly Weed
Orange butterfly weed is a beautiful type of milkweed to attract all sorts of pollinators. Monarch butterfly larvae can utilize the leaves as a food source but the flowers are excellent for all manner of pollinators. Just look at the small metallic native bees flocking to the orange butterfly weed in the video. All kinds of butterflies and bees will utilize the bright orange flowers throughout the season.
Orange butterfly weed grows short, perhaps 12 to 18 inches tall at most with about the same width. The leaves are narrow compared to common milkweed (below). The orange flowers bloom from late spring through summer.
Zones: 4-9
Asclepias syriaca
also known as Common Milkweed
Common milkweed (Ascelpias syriaca) is probably considered the main food source for the Monarch butterflies. It’s extremely common (hence the name) and can be found blooming in fields and roadsides all over Tennessee. When in bloom the flowers for large ball shapes about the size of a tennis ball and emit a very strong and pleasant fragrance.
Asclepias syriaca grows to around 4 to 5 feet tall with wide thick leaves. Like all other milkweeds the sap is a milky white color. Avoid skin contact with the sap from Asclepias as it can cause irritation.
Zones 3-8
Asclepias incarnata
also known as Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) as it’s name implies loves being near watery locations. The photo below was taken at a nearby lake where the milkweed serves the nearby pollinators including butterflies as well as hummingbirds. Along this lake there is usually a good stand of Jewel weed which also is a great hummingbird attractant.
Swamp milkweed like common milkweed and butterfly weed can be used as a larval food source for Monarch butterflies but is also extremely useful for a variety of creatures. This milkweed grows up to about 4 ft tall and the branches spread horizontally a bit more than the others to make more of a bush.
Growing Milkweed from Seed
The first step to growing milkweed from seed is acquiring seeds. In the fall when the plants put out their seed pods you can gather the seeds and place in a cardboard box or paper bag. The pods will open up and rows of seeds attached to a white filmy silk parachutes will emerge. The seeds normally will float away on the wind to spread out away from the parent plant. Of course there are many reputable seed sources you can purchase seeds from as well.
These milkweed varieties require cold stratification in order to germinate properly. Cold stratification is where seeds are stored in a cold environment to simulate what would happen naturally outdoors in their normal climate.
Winter Sowing Milkweed Seeds
One method is to try winter sowing. Essentially plant the seeds outdoors in containers and allow them to be exposed to the normal winter temperatures in your area. This is often done using milkjugs as containers (isn’t that ironic!)
Sowing Milkweed Seeds with Cold Stratification
Another method is to put the seeds into cold stratification bags. Soak the seeds first for a couple hours then put them in a plastic bag with a medium like perlite, vermiculite, or sand/peat. The mix should be moist but not soggy. Then allow them to stay in a refrigerator for about 30 days. Plant the seeds in your favorite seed starting mix and wait for them to germinate. Once they have grown true leaves they can be transplanted into larger pots to grow until large enough to plant in the ground.
If I were to choose one of the two methods above I would opt for winter sowing as it is a little simpler and relies on the natural weather patterns which are not dependent on the gardener to remember!
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