Ohio Native Plant Natural Range
To view the natural range of Asclepias syriaca visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Cultivation Information Asclepias incarnata
Pronounced - ass-KLEP_ee-ass
Height - 3 to 5 ftFlower Color - light PinkBlooms - June - AugustFlower Color - PinkSun - Sun to part sunHardy Zone - 3 to 9Soil -Moist to drypH -4.0 to 6.0 Family - Asclepiadaceae
Over the Years - Common Milkweed smells amazing, pollinators adore it, and Monarch butterfly caterpillars require it. However, chose your spot carefully as this milkweed can quickly over run small spaces. We designated a back section of our yard specifically for Common milkweed. It politely shares a space with the likes of: Ironweed, Joe-pye, Giant Sunflowers, Some of the shorter native plants like Bergamt and Yellow Coneflower have to work a little harder for resources
Host Plant -
Butterflies need two types of plants in order to survive; the first are the nectar plants like Joe- Pye Weed ones with a flat "landing pad" that allow the adult butterfly to easily rest and take a nice long drink. Like most living things the diet of the young differs from that of the adult. This is the case with butterflies; after working their way out from the safety of their chrysalises (cocoon) they are hungry. Dinner needs to be there right on the spot. The young of the Monarch butterflies and eleven other species of Lepidoptera (butterflies) first meal needs to revolve around milkweed plants.
When planning a butterfly garden be certain to plan for the adults as well as their larvae. Although butterfly bushes (Buddleja species) are beautiful and do provide nectar for adults, there are no species of butterflies in North America that use this plant as a larval host plant.
Height - 3 to 5 ftFlower Color - light PinkBlooms - June - AugustFlower Color - PinkSun - Sun to part sunHardy Zone - 3 to 9Soil -Moist to drypH -4.0 to 6.0 Family - Asclepiadaceae
Over the Years - Common Milkweed smells amazing, pollinators adore it, and Monarch butterfly caterpillars require it. However, chose your spot carefully as this milkweed can quickly over run small spaces. We designated a back section of our yard specifically for Common milkweed. It politely shares a space with the likes of: Ironweed, Joe-pye, Giant Sunflowers, Some of the shorter native plants like Bergamt and Yellow Coneflower have to work a little harder for resources
Host Plant -
Butterflies need two types of plants in order to survive; the first are the nectar plants like Joe- Pye Weed ones with a flat "landing pad" that allow the adult butterfly to easily rest and take a nice long drink. Like most living things the diet of the young differs from that of the adult. This is the case with butterflies; after working their way out from the safety of their chrysalises (cocoon) they are hungry. Dinner needs to be there right on the spot. The young of the Monarch butterflies and eleven other species of Lepidoptera (butterflies) first meal needs to revolve around milkweed plants.
When planning a butterfly garden be certain to plan for the adults as well as their larvae. Although butterfly bushes (Buddleja species) are beautiful and do provide nectar for adults, there are no species of butterflies in North America that use this plant as a larval host plant.
Wildlife Significance Swamp Milkweed
Nectar Source - for long-tongued bees, Skippers - Silver-Spotted skipper, Butterflies -Spicebush Swallowtail, Eastern Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Clouded Sulphur, Spring Azure, Great Spangled Fritillary, Eastern Tailed Blue, Silver-Spotted Skipper, beetles and numerous moths
Host Plant - Caterpillars of the Monarch butterflies, Milkweed tussock moth, Milkweed Tiger moth,
Leaves - Deer and other herbivores leave this plant alone, due to the bitter and toxic taste For more details on this plant visit the Illinois Wildflower website Deer - Not Fond of this plant
Understanding Milkweed Plants
A Guide to the Milkweeds of Ohio - Natural Treasures oh Ohio
