| Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) were mostly overlooked wildflowers until the last few decades, when they have gained significant popularity because of their association with Monarch butterflies. Milkweeds are vital to the Monarch butterfly life cycle, and adding the flowers to landscapes and gardens supports butterflies and other pollinators. |  |
Adding native species of milkweed to your garden has only positive connotations, but determining which species are best for each individual space is a little more overwhelming. A variety of milkweed species grace the racks at garden centers, and an even larger variety of milkweed plants and seeds are readily available from online suppliers.
Three commonly sold varieties of milkweed that are native to Kansas and fitting for most gardens and landscapes in the Lawrence area are butterfly (Asclepias tuberosa) common (A. syriaca) and swamp (A. incarnata) milkweeds.
Butterfly milkweed is the most popular in cultivated landscapes. The plant grows to about 2 feet tall at the most, is very drought tolerant and has bright orange flowers from late summer to fall. Plant it in full sun in a hot, dry location. Plants die back to the ground in winter and may be slow to emerge in spring, especially in cool wet weather.
Common milkweed grows to 3 to 4 feet and has white or pale pink flowers that may darken to mauve. This species also prefers hot, dry locations in full sun. Plants have large thick leaves born along an upright stem that give a coarse textural appearance. Plants may also lean without support and are best planted amongst other tall perennials or in naturalized areas.
Swamp milkweed also grows to 3 to 4 feet. The growth habit of this species is similar to butterfly milkweed, growing in clumps with narrower leaves than those of common milkweed. Flowers are darker pink than common milkweed but borne in similar fashion. This species also prefers hot, dry locations.
Another native species of milkweed to consider is known as green antelopehorn (A. viridis). Green antelopehorn grows to about 2 feet tall. It has large coarse leaves similar to common milkweed. Flowers are pale green with purple centers, making them much less showy than the other milkweeds. The horn in the name probably refers to the shape of the seed pod which is similar to most other milkweeds.
Almost all milkweed seed pods are shaped like okra. Pods are green initially but mature to light brown and eventually split open to reveal a large number of seeds. Each seed has a feathery tuft that helps the wind carry it to new locations.
One species of milkweed that some experts recommend avoiding is tropical milkweed (A. curassavica). Tropical milkweed is native to Mexico and gained popularity in the nursery industry because it is easier to cultivate and transplant than some of the other species. Concerns have come up in the southern U.S. with this plant interfering with Monarch migration patterns. While these concerns may not be as big of an issue in northern climates, U.S. and Kansas native milkweed species are generally better options.
Published in Lawrence Journal-World 5-14-22
Three commonly sold varieties of milkweed that are native to Kansas and fitting for most gardens and landscapes in the Lawrence area are butterfly (Asclepias tuberosa) common (A. syriaca) and swamp (A. incarnata) milkweeds.
Butterfly milkweed is the most popular in cultivated landscapes. The plant grows to about 2 feet tall at the most, is very drought tolerant and has bright orange flowers from late summer to fall. Plant it in full sun in a hot, dry location. Plants die back to the ground in winter and may be slow to emerge in spring, especially in cool wet weather.
Common milkweed grows to 3 to 4 feet and has white or pale pink flowers that may darken to mauve. This species also prefers hot, dry locations in full sun. Plants have large thick leaves born along an upright stem that give a coarse textural appearance. Plants may also lean without support and are best planted amongst other tall perennials or in naturalized areas.
Swamp milkweed also grows to 3 to 4 feet. The growth habit of this species is similar to butterfly milkweed, growing in clumps with narrower leaves than those of common milkweed. Flowers are darker pink than common milkweed but borne in similar fashion. This species also prefers hot, dry locations.
Another native species of milkweed to consider is known as green antelopehorn (A. viridis). Green antelopehorn grows to about 2 feet tall. It has large coarse leaves similar to common milkweed. Flowers are pale green with purple centers, making them much less showy than the other milkweeds. The horn in the name probably refers to the shape of the seed pod which is similar to most other milkweeds.
Almost all milkweed seed pods are shaped like okra. Pods are green initially but mature to light brown and eventually split open to reveal a large number of seeds. Each seed has a feathery tuft that helps the wind carry it to new locations.
One species of milkweed that some experts recommend avoiding is tropical milkweed (A. curassavica). Tropical milkweed is native to Mexico and gained popularity in the nursery industry because it is easier to cultivate and transplant than some of the other species. Concerns have come up in the southern U.S. with this plant interfering with Monarch migration patterns. While these concerns may not be as big of an issue in northern climates, U.S. and Kansas native milkweed species are generally better options.
Published in Lawrence Journal-World 5-14-22