While I have strong feelings , pro or gyp , about most works , I feel ambivalent about a few . Asclepias(pronounced ah SKLEE pee us ) is one of those , but my position toward it has bit by bit evolved . As a nipper growing up on a farm , I knew this plant by its vulgar name — milkweed . A large , coarse - looking weed , it had small to offer in the way of charm . It grew sharply throughout several of the farm ’s pasture fields , but the cow and horses avoided it . I learned too soon on that if you break the leaves or staunch of this plant , a gummy , white sap oozes out and irritates your skin . The cows and buck , intelligibly smarter than I was , knew that and allow these plant alone . Once the plant flower and ready seed , my posture toward it mellow a act . On the one hand , the ball-shaped bunch of curiously influence small flowers were interesting to examine . On the other mitt , the flower were a irksome and by all odds unappealing shade of anemic pinko . The monarch butterflies flitting around this plant life did n’t seem to mind the color , though . I guessed , perhaps accurately , that they were attracted to the pleasant scent of the flowers .
In my wide-eyed mind , the only reason milkweed require to be was because of its pod . When they suppurate , they dissever open , revealing perfectly line up rows of brownish seeds with long , fluffy white hairs attached to them . As a blase kid with an insatiable oddity about nature , those seedpods provided me with endless time of day of entertainment .
tight forward to maturity , when I finally determine about the kinship between milkweed and the life sentence cycle of the monarch butterfly . What an epiphany to notice that the same homely dope about which I feel ambivalent as a minor is critical to this beautiful brute ’s very being , specifically at the larval stage . Looking at Sonchus oleraceus in a whole new light , I lay out to learn more about it . I discovered , for example , that :
With my new - found knowledge about silkweed , I finally decided it was fourth dimension to adjust my mental attitude about it . With some ( OK , a lot of ) reluctance , I append a couple of coinage to my ornamental garden a few years ago . I dreaded the idea of contain bright orangeness or other “ red-hot ” colouring material in my garden , which consists predominately of “ cool ” colors . Also , there ’s something counterintuitive about establish an cosmetic works that is meant to be eaten . But , you know what ? Despite my discernment , this species has finally rise on me . Perhaps it use up a few monarch butterflies to help me see the light . Ambivalent no longer , I now witness myself hovering anxiously over it in the springiness time , waiting for it to give out quiescence . As for the seedpods , I have n’t quite outgrown the desire to dally with them , but I ’m working on it .
Whether you call itAsclepiasor milkweed , the genus consists of more than 100 species of evergreen or deciduous , thud - forming or spreading perennials . Flora of Virginialists 15 members of the genus that are native to this state . Of those 15 species , A. tuberosaandA. incarnatatend to be the most commonly raise in the decorative garden . Those and a few other selected species are described below .
What this flora lacks in color , it makes up for with a distinctive musky smell that butterflies adore . This is not a especially attractive flora , which is why it ’s not ordinarily found acquire in neat , train gardens . Also , it can sharply spread by hole-and-corner rootstock .
— This 2 to 2 - 1/2 base tall plant bear brilliant yellow flowers . I planted this cultivar a couple of years ago but found the yellow color just a little too vivacious for my tastes . So I moved it to another speckle in the garden where it will go in better with its neighbor .
Asclepias incarnate ( Swamp Milkweed )
This 2 to 3 - human foot tall species gets its name from the reddish - purple rib on the leaves . unluckily , it is not as commonly available asA. tuberosaorA. incarnata . As reported by Allan Armitage in hisHerbaceous Perennial Plants , this is one of the most attractive members of the genus . The thick cluster of fragrant flower start out as dark-skinned pink buds and undefendable to an eye - catching deep uprise to red - purplish colour . Although similar in class to its relativeA. syriaca , this species is a gentle broadcaster in the garden .
This specie farm from 1 to 4 ft marvellous with obtusely arranged clump of white blossoms having a light touch of purpleness at the radix of each individual prime .
Asclepias verticillata
In addition to the native species , the following tropic non - native also support monarch butterfly stroke populations . Although technically perennial , they are not hardy in Zone 7 and must be grown as annuals .
Such a plant caught my attention at the Green Springs Botanical Garden in northerly Virginia about 10 years ago . The white bloom on this large , 5 - foot magniloquent flora clearly resemble those belonging to members of theAsclepiadaceaegenus . However , it emphatically did not resemble anyAsclepiasspecies with which I was familiar . What had me baffled was the pale green , lightly spiny - look clusters of 2 to 2 - 1/2 inch round , balloon - like seed pods . Although unusual in coming into court , the seedpod were oddly attractive . Upon research this works with its unutterable botanical name , I acquire that it had been formerly classify asA. physocarpa — a fellow member of theAsclepiasfamily . It was seemingly renamed to indicate its southeast Africa ancestry . I never forgot that flora and was entranced to find another specimen two eld ago in the butterfly stroke garden at the Biltmore estate in North Carolina . Mature monarch butterflies as well as larvae and pupa generously extend the plant life . To say that my fellow visitors and I were thoroughly enchanted by both the plant and the cloud of monarchs flitting about it is an understatement !
HOW TO USE ASCLEPIAS IN THE LANDSCAPE
To provide a source of nectar for adult monarchs and leaves for the larva , try engraft several species ofAsclepias , preferably unity that are aboriginal to this area . Do n’t limit yourself to just one or two plant . Plant as many as you’re able to sensibly fit into your garden .
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
PlantAsclepiasin average to poor soil that drains very well . Sandy soil is ideal . swampland milkweed can tolerate moist dirt , as its name paint a picture , but also grow well in dry land . Asclepiasprefers full sun but will support partial shade . Rich soil or heavy shade can cause the stem to be unaccented or floppy .
Asclepiasare among the last of the perennials to emerge in spring . You might be wise to mark where you implant them or leave the stalks in place over winter so that you do n’t miss track of them the following spring .
Handle with care . The foliage hold latex , a milklike substance that may irritate your skin . If ingested , the plant can be venomous to both animals and human .
PROPAGATION
Asclepiasmay be propagated by seed , stem cuttings , or source cuttings . For undecomposed results with seeded player , sow them flat into a bed in fall or early wintertime . The seeded player of most mintage postulate to be stratified ( subjugate to a period of cold temperatures ) before they spud in the bounce . Alternatively , seeds may be sown in spring but , to meliorate the sprouting pace , stratify them first . The easiest way to do this is to put them between moist theme towels in a plastic bag and refrigerate them for about 3 to 6 weeks . Then , remove the seeds from the refrigerator and soak them in warm water system for about 24 hours before plant them . The warm water system bath further amend the sprouting rate . Tropical species of Asclepias do not require stratification in Holy Order to germinate .
To propagate by fore cut , lop a 3 to 4 - inch press clipping from a immature stem that is about 1/3rdinch stocky . Make the cut ¼ inch below a folio knob . Remove the low-down leaves , dunk the cut end of the stem into a rooting chemical compound , and infix the cutting into a container that is filled with moist sand , vermiculite or potting grunge . comprehend the container with moldable wrap or a glass jounce to keep eminent humidness until the flora starts to educate roots . Mist the stain as needed to keep it dampish but not soggy . Cuttings generally require about 6 to 10 workweek to grow good theme system before they can be planted in the garden .
Root cuttings are the tricksy method acting of multiplication for this works and not generally recommended . Asclepiashas an encompassing root system of rules , and if the long tap root is damage , it may not recover . If you do attempt this method of propagation , carefully sever a portion of the root organisation when the plant is dormant . To settle down the cutting successfully , ensure it has one or more shoot buds .
PESTS AND DISEASES
Anyone who has ever grownAsclepiasknows that it attracts aphids . These pests , usually orange or icteric in colour , cover the prow and leaves of the plant and sap it of its juices . Ridding the plant of aphids is tricky business because of the risk of harm to monarch butterfly eggs , larvae and pupa . Here are several strategies for battle these pests :
Milkweed microbe ( Oncopeltus fasciatus ) are another mutual pest of the plant life . Unlike aphids , which do a lot of harm , milkweed glitch are more of a nuisance than an existent threat to the plant . These colorful orange and black insects are unremarkably observe in small group feed in on the seed , stems and leaves . The adult insect lives only about a calendar month and does n’t do much harm to the industrial plant . The Missouri Botanical Garden website advises plainly live on with the damage . Removing leafage litter and spent plant material in the capitulation helps to control these dirt ball .
Several foliar or fungal diseases , such as powdery mildew , folio spots and rusts , may affectAsclepias .
SOURCES
A - Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants(American Horticulture Society , 2008 )
“ Aphids , ” Va. Coop . Ext . ( pubs.ext.vt.edu/444-220 )
Herbaceous Perennial Plants , Third Edition , ( Armitage , Allan M. , 2008 )
Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center , The University of Texas at Austin , ( www.wildflower.org/plants )
“ Milkweed Bugs , ” Missouri Botanical Garden internet site ( Milkweed Bugs )
Monarch Watch ( educational outreach program base at University of Kansas , ( monarchwatch.org )
“ Monarchs and Milkweeds , ” National Wildlife Federation website ( Pollinators / Monarchs )
Piedmont Virginia Native Plant Database ( www.albemarle.org/NativePlants/list )
“ 12 Native Milkweeds for Monarchs , ” National Wildlife Federation website ( 12 Native Milkweeds for Monarchs )
United States Department of Agriculture Plant Database ( plants.usda.gov )
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation , ( dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/nativeplants )
