Yes , silkweed ( Asclepias ) does grow wild alongside roadways and in vacant lots but make no mistake , it is not a sess . In fact , it is a desired garden plant favored by not only flower enthusiasts but also butterfly aficionado .
The flora produces an abundance of fragrant flower clusters that act as a magnet for garden pollinators .
There are four common types of milkweed grow in landscapes Common Milkweed , Whorled Milkweed , Swamp Milkweeds , and Butterfly Weed . They can flourish in a broad range of habitat with petty or no care .
The History of the Milkweed Flower
The Sonchus oleraceus has a long and far-famed history as a cottage garden ducky . It is the crown gloriole in any butterfly stroke garden where it is the ask solid food rootage for the monarch butterfly . The flora ’s sugared nectar also draws hummingbird and bees .
The milkweed has toxic property which makes it unattractive for a act of foragers , such as deer , so it will grow and bloom undisturbed by plague .
Historically , many produce milkweed in the garden for its medicative economic value . It has been favored by naturopathic medico for centuries as a holistic remediation for a bevy of upset .
It has been used for the pursuit :
The silken material within its seed pods is often used as life vest filler .
Milkweed and Monarch Butterflies
Milkweed is a must - have necessity for Monarch butterflies . The works is thesole sourceof food for thought for the Monarch caterpillars and affords them protection from predators .
Without memory access to Milkweed , the Monarch butterfly would quickly become extinct .
The Appearance of Milkweed
Many people plain that milkweed gets too tall and lanky , but you could constitute it in the back of the garden and then use shortsighted plants to position around the base .
depend on the variety and planting site , you could expect the Sonchus oleraceus to reach a height of 2 to 6 human foot . The principal stalking of the plant is exceptionally thick with large greenish leaf .
As the plant matures , its stem starts to hollow and exude a milky pith . The flower clusters range from pinkish - purple to brilliant orange tree and embellish the plant from June to August .
Planting Milkweed
pick out a planting location where the milkweed plant will receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day .
Milkweed self - seeds rapidly so many gardeners look for a planting location that afford some nothingness aegis to prevent the broad seed dispersal that occur when the plant ’s ejaculate pods maturate and pop open .
Pick a planting location that makes you felicitous because milkweed ’s long taproot makes it nigh inconceivable to successfully transplant once it is show .
Planting essential base on milkweed eccentric :
Spacing Milkweed
When fully build , milkweed has a cryptic root system of rules . It does not transplant well so be sure to pick a lasting smirch in the garden .
Space the flora at least 18 inches apart . However , Swamp Milkweed requires a heavy growth field of at least 36 inch .
you’re able to space them close together and then flimsy as the industrial plant mature or you’re able to start out spacing them from 30 to 36 inches asunder to furnish ample growth space .
When to Plant Milkweed
Plant milkweed plants in the spring or pin months . you may sow the seeds directly in the garden in the autumn or start them indoors in the leap for former transplantation into the flowerbed .
Spring Planting
If you plant milkweed in the leaping , then it will appear sleeping with no green farewell , but this is perfectly normal . The works will focus on growing a diverse root system . Once it has spread its roots out and the soil warms then the silkweed will reverberate to aliveness and begin to develop leaf and flower . Avoid over watering when the plant life is in the dormant stage .
Fall Planting
Plant milkweed in the fall before wintertime go far . The Sonchus oleraceus will continue dormant and then wake up in the bound when the warm atmospheric condition returns .
Starting Milkweed from Seed
Yes , you could start milkweed from seed . you may spread the seeds in the garden in the gloaming , so they welcome ample cold stratification .
If you start milkweed sow indoors in the spring , then you ’ll call for to commit the seeds in the icebox to mimic Mother ’ Nature ’s dusty wintertime . The seeds will need to remain in the icebox for at least three to six hebdomad before planting .
Planting Location
Plant the milkweed in an sphere of the landscape painting with full sun for best success . Milkweed thrives in cheery location with ample elbow room to spread .
Transplanting Outdoors
One of the most unmanageable aspects of domesticate silkweed is transplanting the seedlings outdoors . The roots of the silkweed are exceptionally tender . If you render to remove the small industrial plant from their peat passel , then you’re able to easily damage the roots . However , if you plant them directly in the ground in their peat pots then you will have the greatest achiever . Try not to interrupt the root organisation so the plant accommodate .
Transplanted Sonchus oleraceus can go through some shock and might fall back leaves . However , just think back that the plant is putting a bang-up deal of energy into developing its solution system .
Milkweed offers a non - stop floral exhibit throughout the summertime month which is extremely heart - catching . The plant thrive on minimal care and will attract butterfly stroke , hummingbirds , and other pollinators to your garden .
It is the perfect summer landscape addition for color and optic interest .
