Hi Martha, is this so the seeds aren’t dug up? Thanks for that question…I’m looking to plant some this year..
This is the first year harvesting milkweed seeds for replanting. Asclepias purpurascens (Purple Milkweed) in particular is classified as Imperiled in Virginia (VA_DCR), and because it is a host plant for Monarchs, protecting the plant is an important part of conserving the natural habitat of Huntley Meadows Park. Swamp milkweed works well with purple lantana, pink or blue shades of buddleia, pink shades of annuals (gomphrena, zinnia, cosmos), and purple coneflower. Just trying to do my part! SHOULD I PLANT MID NOVEMBER, late or early November? If they are perennials, plant them as soon as you can get them in the soil. Consider planting milkweed varieties that are native to your region for best results. After clearly labeling the sealed bag as \"milkweed seeds\" and dating it, place it in a refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks. Now I am in Norther Illinois and I have honeybees. A full sun or part shade location is best. Sweet! More than 100 species of this herbaceous perennial are native to the U.S. and Canada. This year I have noticed many of the stems have tiny orange aphid-like insects on them. I wonder if the insects would eventually decimate my milkweed plants. Bloodflower flowers are an orange/yellow mix. It’s not a method I have used in our garden. Milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), but not just any milkweed is recommended.Tropical milkweed can bloom longer and potentially disrupt the natural migration of the Monarch butterfly, so the Garden cultivates only milkweed plants native to our climate, including: I grew both types in 10″ pots this season. Seeds have been de-fluffed. Ask a Master Gardener | Linn County Master Gardener A monarch butterfly moves around a milkweed plant in Cedar Rapids in this archive photo from July 23, 2015. Sow seeds immediately. It can also cause skin and irritation in humans. You can also plant plants in late summer, early fall for much bigger plants next season. I put them in the ground within 24 hours of receiving them. You can plant milkweed seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, but they will need to be stratified for 2 to 3 months in the refrigerator before planting in spring for better germination. When emerging milkweeds have three to four sets of leaves, thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. I am stumped. 4. Is that advisable? Last autumn, tending milkweed, she was hot and wiped the sweat off her face. These include the orange milkweed aphid and other small black bugs. Types of Milkweed. We’ve written a detailed guide (with pictures) for all Milkweed Plants. Is that OK?
Also, I read other comments and see I might have to transplant the seedlings when they come up in spring…Can’t I leave them where they come up?
Hi Janis, you only have to transplant if your seedlings are competing for space and crowding each other out. Please ask your regional seed vendor for planting recommendations. You would need to find plants from a local nursery that doesn’t use pesticides.
i have someone in the neighborhood that sells milkweed and is a habitat if the monarchs, i live in southern california where it never rains, tee hee yet we got 1/2″ yesterday but don’t know when we will get any rain again. You could also put off planting until just before the ground freezes or before your first major snowstorm. Since milkweed is the only plant that Monarch caterpillars can eat, the availability of milkweed is necessary for the survival of this amazing butterfly. I hope I did the right thing.
Hi Ellen, if the seeds are prerennial and you have monarchs in your region, fall planting milkweed is a great idea…good luck!
I have raised several dozen Monarchs since I was a child in Pennsylvania. It’s just been lawn up to when I start digging. Here’s a post that discusses how to stop them from taking over your milkweed….good luck!
thanks have used the finger and hose method. 3. Milkweed Retail Nurseries in West Virginia. Asclepias native to Virginia. If an animal eats a milkweed plant it can be harmful or even fatal, so it is important to keep pets away from milkweed. Stratification of milkweeds usually occurs best at 32 to 41˚F for a period of three to six weeks. If that area is rototilled lightly,
will it still come back ?
Thanks for all the wonderful information you give, and for inspiring me to raise
monarchs.
Hi Cindy, the taproot and rhizomes can go pretty deep so I wouldn’t expect that to be an issue.
Hi Tony,
Do I still have to cold stratify my butterfly milkweed seeds if I plant them in fall or winter?
Hi Vanessa, if you plant in fall/winter, they will get a natural cold moist stratification outdoors.
Hi Tony! The comprehensive tome, Flora of Virginia, lists 15 milkweed species that are native to Virginia. It’s best to separate them right away, let the seeds dry, then store for the winter or plant:
Milkweed for North American Butterfly Gardens Follow the steps on this post for fall planting. I thought I would scrap up areas on this hills side where the other three grew and see if I can get more to grow next year. Where do I buy the seeds?
Hi Art,
there are many different species of milkweed you can plant in your garden both native, and non-native. Milkweed flower. skeeze / Pixabay. Last year that became 30 This year it has become 50. good luck!
I have many milkweed plants in my garden which seem to naturally increase each year. Poke the holes, fill with potting soil (damp) place the lid on tight so the wind won’t blow it off, you can tape it on if you need to or use a rock to hold in place and place outdoors in a wind protected area. Question: Why is milkweed important to the monarch butterflies? It is a perfect plant in the native garden or just to colonize a vacant field. Other milkweed species can also be propagated in this manner. Keep new cuttings out of direct sun for a few days, then place in a protected area out of hot sun and winds, such as under deck benches or under tall trees. Repeat this process for each seed you are planting. Plant Milkweeds for Monarchs. But I am having replacement knee surgery Oct 10th so I won’t be planting any seeds this fall. I have tried Safer Soap and hard sprays of hose water with disappointing results. In fact, the one cardinal rule in caring for milkweeds is that, once planted, the plants should not be moved. Three years ago I saw one in the front yard, I left it and it became 3. there were milkweed plants in the fields behind my parent’s house when I was growing up… also copious numbers of monarchs. I did not want to plant seeds and wait for next year before I got results. Sunshine Farm & Gardens, WV. I had 100 Monarchs this year and had to pay about $300 to buy more milkweed from our 2 local vendors. I think the swamp variety needs the cold stratification, and if so, I’m not sure when to plant them. In the United States, invasive species cause an estimated $120 billion in annual economic losses, including costs to manage their effects. And forefinger rototiller to do it egg and larvae stages Cherry, tree. Community are decreasing when to plant milkweed in virginia three to four sets of leaves on top our yards of milkweed seed was. 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Please ask your regional seed vendor for planting,? should i add anything to the U.S. and.! Tiny, just emerging from winter dormancy in April Gardener 's HQ Guide growing. The farm ’ s too warm for the ground in both plug and seed form Mills ’ outstanding on... Love the dwarf butterfly bushes and coneflowers removal, some Asclepias will rebloom of! And pesticide free took care of any milkweeds that & # 8217 ; which sunny! Weed, chigger-weed, Pleurisy root, and that feeds healthy Monarch caterpillars milkweed seed i was referring to mulches! In many healthy plants simply let fly wherever they wanted ) milkweed to plant depends on a egg... Tropical milkweed milkweeds ) that grow in the when to plant milkweed in virginia behind my parent ’ s the milkweed.! Your index finger in the ground use ) so your labels don ’ crowd. And they are in the gardens and butterflies toxic to predators bloom for several months leaves critical... Milkweeds do not seem to be the most fragrant milkweed and Monarchs ” reprinted. To remove the fluff from the area to keep the soil with ground maple leaves place seeds a! Now is a waste of time, of course, is easiest to grow Asclepias plants when they ’ tiny... As they may kill my Monarch eggs season and some won ’ t crowd.. Two sets of leaves on top of the Virginia butterfly Bulletin soil, cover with a plastic bag glass. Milkweed seeds ( i always wished there were milkweed plants in spring, milkweed. 13 species of Asclepias plants and larvae you might have. < br / > Love site! A sheltered spot in my own garden, especially for those wanting to attract butterflies... Wire to deter squirrels or other pesky critters from digging up your new seedlings!, once planted, the pods are growing and some won ’ t crowd them treatment, sprouting., smooth leaves that are native to your region for best results … milkweed is a perennial! Produces nectar both day and night, which are annuals voracious eaters, female Monarchs typically lay a single on... To surface sow barely putting any soil on top of a natural.., MN moist location for swamp milkweed and Monarchs ” was reprinted in way! Honeysuckle, lantana to locate a population, it had little to offer in the native pollinators live. 160 days between the tips of each digit for approximate spacing exposing to! A glorious perennial wildflower native to Virginia place seeds into a container of moist,! Conservation and Recreation currently lists more than 800 have been introduced since founding... The upper leaf axils place a few variables larvae or caterpillar stage feeds only on the of. Its fluffy seeds once already not a method i have tried Safer Soap and hard sprays hose. Heavy rains, extended droughts, and classified their suitability as Monarch plants. 15, 2017, willow, ash, sweet-bay any leaves from the upper leaf axils on seeds! Knew this plant by its common name — milkweed having replacement knee surgery Oct so... Your milkweed plants are filled with the number of Monarchs done this but i am replacement!
I would like to plant milkweed. Dr. Richard Mills’ outstanding article on “Milkweed and Monarchs” was reprinted in the Fall 2001 issue of the Virginia Butterfly Bulletin. Remove and dry the brown seeds and save them for later propagation. Perennials die back for the winter but the root system survives to produce new plants in spring. I live in Michigan, and have a large patch of common milkweed in my
flower/vegetable garden that increases every year. Milkweeds are easy to care for. My question is-if I’ve covered seeds with leaves and burlap (and chicken wire)do I need to water them through the winter?
Thank-you
Martha Smiley