This plant is most often used as an ornamental, but I always say that you don’t plant milkweed because it looks nice. You plant it for the butterflies. Monarchs lay their eggs on this plant. When they hatch, the larvae will completely strip the plant of foliage in a matter of days....
If you want to plant new milkweed, there are several species of native milkweed in the US. One of the most common, Asclepias tuberosa, is also known as butterflyweed. It’s native to most parts of the country (except the Northwest) and blooms in a brilliant orange or yellow. Not to...
For ideas to get started, see our plant guides on strawberries, lettuces, parsley, and chives. For inspiration to overhaul a garden, see Rehab Diary: A Year in the Life of a Garden. And if you’re wondering what to do with your bounty, browse through our hundreds of Garden-to-Table ...
Best Milkweed Varieties for Monarch Butterflies Planting Plant horseradish in full sun. Horseradish will tolerate partial sun, but yields will not be as good. Soil must be moist, fertile, and loamy, or the roots can’t grow down (similar to carrots). ...
Direct Planting in Pots In this method you plant seeds in pots of soil and then expose them to cold, usually in the refrigerator or in a cold garage. After the cold treatment, the pots are put under lights or on a sunny window to see if they germinate. If not, the cold treatment is...
Plant in drifts of 3 or 5 of the same plant for greater visual impact. Sow seeds of easy to grow annuals such as poppies, cosmos, or zinnias that will quickly fill in gaps and provide additional color, especially in the first year when perennials are becoming established. To sow wildflow...
With long, strappy leaves, agapanthus resembles an iris (or a daylily or anornamental grass). The flowers have a dome or globe shape like an allium (or a globe thistle or a milkweed). Its nickname (lily of the Nile) makes things even more confusing since agapanthus flowers resemble a ...
This plant is grown from seed. Sow Butterfly flower seeds directly into your flower garden. Plant them 1/8″ to 1/4″ deep. Or, start them indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. They do not like wet soils, So, slightly elevate the planting site. ...
Young goldenrod plants can be found in spring in the native plant section of larger garden centers or ordered online. They are also cooperative to start from seed for better selection and lower expense. The seeds are small, and one packet will contain several hundred. Half an ounce to an ou...
Be sure to add milkweed to your butterfly garden as it is the only plant their plump, black, and yellow-striped caterpillar babies will eat. Pin Photo Credit: Instagram @butterflymusketeers You canpurchase milkweed seeds onlineor from your local garden center. ...