As most school children know, monarch butterfly caterpillars feed only on the leaves of milkweed plants. To support the beautiful and iconic monarchs, many Takoma Park gardeners are making space in their yards for these perennials.

Although milkweed species (Asclepias) are native to every state in the continental United States, agricultural and suburban development have reduced their prevalence.  This is where home gardeners can make a difference.

One species, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), has started to bloom this month in Takoma Park. Its pinkish flowers appear in a roughly spherical inflorescence atop stalks three feet tall or more. Although bees delight in its nectar, some gardeners are less than thrilled by its weedy appearance and spreading tendencies.

Fortunately, two other asclepias species native to Maryland and with more ornamental traits are readily available: swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). FONTT has included both in our native plant sales.

Swamp milkweed can grow higher than common milkweed. Its leaves are more refined and its inflorescences appear in richer shades of pink. As its name suggests, it likes moist soil, so it can thrive in sunny, low-lying areas.

In Takoma Park, swamp milkweed starts to bloom in late June or early July. FONTT member Allegra Cangelosi is pleased that the swamp milkweed in her garden is now leafy and lush but she’s impatient to see it flower again.

Butterfly weed, though, is in the spotlight now—its vivid orange blooms already provide dramatic pops of color in streetside gardens. FONTT member Tim Rahn says that butterfly weed retains ornamental interest in winter, too. “The small grey seed pods are pretty, especially when they release their silky seeds.”

Butterfly weed is shorter than swamp milkweed—about one to two feet tall—and prefers drier soil in full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established.

While all three milkweed species provide sustenance to pollinators through their leaves and nectar, thankfully they seem to have no appeal to our local deer.

–Meg Voorhes

Photo credits: Swamp milkweed by Allegra Cangelosi, all others by Meg Voorhes