Milkweed is easy to grow and attracts butterflies.
If monarch butterflies are wanted in the garden, then milkweed is the plant to grow. Milkweed is the only plant that hosts the monarch larvae on which they feed. Milkweed is an easy-to-grow summer perennial that once in bloom keeps bringing the butterflies back. Milkweed blooms during July and August, grows to 5 feet high with a 3-foot spread. Its flower colors are white, pink and purple. Does this Spark an idea?
Seeds
Plant milkweed seeds indoors eight weeks before the average last frost date for the area. Fill the seed flats with potting soil, water them well and drain the flats before adding seeds. Scatter the seeds on the prepared planting surface 1/2-inch apart and cover them with 1/4 inch of additional soil. Mist the surface with water, ensuring that all additional soil is moist. Covering the flats prevents the seeds from drying before germination. Place the flats place under grow lights in a bright window or in a greenhouse. The seeds germinate within 10 days with a temperature of 75 degrees. Once the seedlings sprout, keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and transplant them into the garden when the last frost has passed and seedlings are 4 to 6 inches high.
Dividing
Divide milkweed into new plants by splitting the tuberous rhizome by which it spreads. Divide the roots when the plant is dormant and ensure that each rhizome piece removed has at least one bud attached. Planting the rhizomes by late fall allows the roots to grow and establish before the cold weather arrives. Water the plant well the following year. By the second year, the plants are well on their way to surviving with minimal attention.
Planting
Drought tolerant, common milkweed grows in less-than-ideal soil conditions. Swamp milkweed grows best in swampy, wet conditions. If neither is available, plant milkweed in a well-drained location in full sun and water according to the individual plant's needs. Ensure the bed is clear of weeds before planting. If planting seeds directly into the garden, remove any sod and completely clear the area of weeds or invasive plants. Seedlings and cuttings typically bloom in the second year of growth.
Seed Pods
Collect seeds from existing milkweeds for planting the following year. Once the bright blossoms fade, 4-inch long seedpods develop. Once ripe, they split open releasing the milkweed seeds. Surrounded by silklike strands, the seeds spread on the wind. If collecting the seedpods, wait until they ripen but before they open and fly from the plant.
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