Native Milkweeds for Monarchs

Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed. Monarch caterpillars need milkweed ( spp.) to grow and develop. Female monarchs only lay their eggs on milkweed. With shifting land management practices, we have lost much milkweed from the landscape. Please plant milkweed to support monarch populations and their incredible migration! No planting is too small. A large flower bed full of milkweed or just a small pot on your porch can have a large impact! Native Milkweed Options:

Common Milkweed Butterflyweed Swamp Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias incarnata Well drained and moist soils Well drained soils Damp or marshy areas Full sun Full sun Full sun to part shade Blooms Jun-Aug Blooms May-Sep Blooms Jun-Oct

Whorled Milkweed Poke Milkweed Prairie Milkweed Asclepias verticillata Asclepias exaltata Asclepias sullivantii Well drained soils Woodland areas Moist soils Full sun to part shade Full sun to part shade Full sun Blooms May-Sep Blooms May-Aug Blooms Jun-Aug Milkweed Establishment

Milkweeds are most easily established from seed, and germination rates are typically high. Transplants (plugs) of some species are sometimes available commercially. Native milkweeds of our region are deciduous perennials. They remain dormant during the winter and re-emerge in the spring from established root systems. With the exception of prolonged drought, the plants usually do not require any supplemental watering.

Milkweed seed should ideally be planted in the fall. Exposure to cold temperatures and moist conditions during winter will stimulate germination through a process called cold stratification. Spring planting is also possible, but artificial stratification of the seed is needed to enhance germination. This can be done by placing seeds in a moistened paper towel in a Ziplock bag. Place the bag in a refrigerator for about 6-8 weeks prior to planting.

Direct seeding requires good soil preparation. The seedbed should be a smooth, lightly packed surface, free of clumped sod and plant debris. For small sites, a rake or turf roller can be used to remove or break up large dirt clods. Seed can be broadcast onto the smooth, weed-free surface. To achieve good seed to soil contact, the seed can be compacted into the ground with a cultipacker or by walking over the area for small plots.

To facilitate milkweed establishment, it is important to eradicate existing weed cover and deplete the amount of weed seed at the planting site. One to two years of weed control may be needed.

While milkweed serves as the host plant for monarchs, these winged beauties also need a great source to survive. For more information on planting for monarchs and other pollinators, visit OCInvasives.org.

OCInvasives.org