 |
| Monarch |
 |
| Asclepias curassavica |
 |
| Monarch caterpillar |
This time of year the seed catalogs come rolling in by the dozens. While you are planning the upcoming growing season's gardens, consider planting something to lure the monarch butterflies in. One such plant is the annual Asclepias curassavica or tropical milkweed. It is easily grown from seed and can be started indoors about 8 weeks before our last frost and then transplanted to a sunny spot outside. Asclepias is a host plant for the monarch and is the only plant that it will lay its eggs on. Beware, though, the hungry caterpillars will munch away at the leaves. However, it will continue to grow and flower.
We grow a patch of milkweed for the monarchs next to the Children's Garden. You can read more about monarchs and other butterflies BY CLICKING HERE.
