Milkweed, Common (Butterfly Flower)

Botanical Interests Native Common Milkweed (Butterfly Flower)

Observe the monarch butterfly's lifecycle right in your garden! This heirloom species provides food and habitat for monarch butterflies and is an essential host plant for their caterpillars. In summer, pink to purplish or white flowers are followed by decorative seed pods that are beautiful in dried arrangements. Robust, shrub-like perennial spreads by underground rhizomes. Native throughout much of the eastern and central United States. The sap is toxic; avoid eye/skin contact and do not ingest.

Sowing Information:

• Light: Full sun
  
• When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in the fall for spring germination.
• When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.
• Seed Depth: ¼ inch
• Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12 inches
• Thinning: When 3 inches tall, thin to 1 every 12 inches
• Days to Emerge: 14–28 days

Growing Notes:

• Special Care: Benefits greatly from stratification (a cold, moist period) prior to germination.
• Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 3 and warmer
• Variety Information: Individual flowers ½ inch long, borne in pink to purplish or white clusters.
• Bloom Period: Summer
• Attributes: Attracts pollinators, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant