Let's Talk Milkweed (Asclepias) 🦋 Garden Guru Sean at The Gardener's Center

Sean, the horticulture expert at The Gardener's Center in Darien, CT, is here to give us insightful information on two different types of native milkweed: Asclepias Incarnata, or Swamp Milkweed, and Asclepias Tuberosa, or Butterflyweed.

Swamp Milkweed is the preferred food source for both Monarch butterflies and their caterpillars. It requires a wet area though it doesn't have to be "swampy." Butterflyweed loves it dry, hot and sunny. Both are hardy in cold temps and well-behaved in the garden.

Sean also covers how to take care of those pesty "vampire" aphids. This is something you want to take note of so you don't destroy Monarch caterpillars and eggs.

ASCLEPIAS VARIETIES
Swamp Milkweed • Grows 3'-5' tall
Butterflyweed • Grows 2'-3' tall

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[seanval]

I don't even worry about aphids the other bugs control them

[timl.b.]

I've been planning to get some of those milkweeds. I didn't know they got aphids, so thanks for that. I have no problem squashing aphids with my fingers.

[elizabethescher]

The Milkweed also grows in dry Eastern Oregon. I saw some growing in a ditch on the side of a farmer's field near the Grand Ronde River.

[kooale]

Great piece! Sean, on our first year plants (Asclepias Incarnata / Swamp Milkweed), last summer in S. Wis. on an urban lot, we had a heavy infestation of "vampire" aphids at the top of the plants that were guarded 24/7 by one or two dark carpenter ants for days, maybe even weeks. What’s that all about?!!? Haven’t seen much of the orange aphids this year as of 8-9-2024, but it’s been a truly unusual summer in terms of overcast skies, odd, colder temperatures etc. Love what you do, THANKS! Scribed!

[Brogrl]

Thank you for posting, very informative. 🧡💕

[paulluebke]

I’ve never had aphids ruin a milkweed plant and I’ve had thousands of aphids on a plant. Just leave them be and let the ladybugs come in and feast.

[Cathy_MidwestHome_Hens]

I have about a dozen tuberosa with 3-4 in the middle of our yard that gets hit by sprinklers. Im guessing that’s why those few are struggling? They came up nicely, currently about 8” tall and then a branch or two on each has shriveled 😢 I have six new tuberosa (planted a week ago) in a corner of my yard in a more loose, sandy soil and they still look great. I also have 8 swamp milkweeds, 5 of them in a section that doesn’t get hit by sprinklers but I water that area with a hose. I’ll be curious to see how they do there. I didn’t think that area would be a problem because several of our city parks have swamp milkweed and they don’t have irrigation. Zone 5 Bellevue NE

[-jd]

Milkweed is very confusing. I keep thinking about buying a couple but with the aphid problem and the wildlife eating the plants it seems they’d rarely provide any beauty in the garden. Am I correct that once they are infested if you don’t catch the infestation asap that your entire garden could become infested?
Am I correct in thinking the sole reason to plant them is to feed butterflies and would that be at the risk of a battle fighting disease everywhere in the garden? Appreciate clarification. Thanks.

[louinwy]

Only bummer is that they wilt as soon as you cut them. So NOT for a cutting garden!

[Unzinkable]

I've been spraying aphids with a water and hydrogen peroxide solution: 4 parts to one. Do you think the Monarchs might survive that?

[DavidRegan-glib]

Curious of how deep a container needs to be for asclepias live root, orange yellow flower type? Just received from arbor day.. thanks..

[Pawpawtrees]

They should not have destroyed the native plants like that.

[The_Crucible]

There’s no “h” in asclepius, it’s pronounced “asKlepius.”

_just sayin’_