Oh, those Summer nights

You may be ready for summer, but is your backyard? We can show you ALL that is possible!

NATIVE SPOTLIGHT Rose Milkweed for your Garden (Asclepias Iincarnata)

A showy pink blooming Asclepias species that is a food plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source for adult butterflies. Also known as Swamp Milkweed, it grows best in moist or wet soils.

Hardiness Zones: 3-9

Water Tolerance: Low-Water

Mature Height : 3-4’ tall

Mature Spread: 36” wide

Bloom Time: Early to late summer

It’s not a weed, and it doesn’t produce milk, but the humble milkweed is one of the most important plants you can have in your garden.

The reason why milkweed is so important comes down to the dwindling number of monarch butterflies. While most butterfly species can feed on a variety of host plants, monarch caterpillars can only survive on a diet of milkweed. That’s why monarch butterflies are often referred to as milkweed butterflies!

As monarch butterflies continue to suffer from dwindling numbers, gardeners are doing what they can to restore their populations. Monarch butterflies have a special place in the North American psyche as they symbolize change, transformation and hope, so it’s no surprise to find that Monarch Munchable plants are more popular than ever. While milkweed is perfect for monarch butterflies, the fact is that wild milkweed is rapidly vanishing from fields and gardens due to threats including a loss of habitat and the widespread use of weedkillers.

If we are to help restore the rapidly declining population of monarch butterflies, planting native milkweed will be critical.

Please keep Rose Milkweed in mind when planning your garden design!