How to Grow Whorled Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies :- Milkweed with whorled leaves is a great option for late-summer blossoms that satisfy the hunger of monarch butterflies. Are you prepared to investigate possibilities for monarch butterflies that go beyond the typical milkweed?
How to Grow Whorled Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies
If you are looking for attractive blossoms later in the summer season, whorled milkweed, also known as Asclepius verticillate, is an excellent choice. Monarch butterflies are also fond of this plant. Gain a better understanding of this more delicate species of milkweed. Be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on cultivating milkweed plants before you begin your gardening endeavors.
Where to Grow Whorled Milkweed
Whorled milkweed is a plant that is native to North America and can be grown successfully in Zones 3 to 9. If you live in the central or eastern regions of North America, you will have the most luck cultivating this plant. The fact that it is a perennial means that once it has established itself, it will return each year without much difficulty.
The milkweed plant is classified as a wildflower rather than a weed, despite the fact that its name includes the word “weed.” You can find it and other varieties that are similar growing in the wild in places like grasslands, pastures, and along the sides of roads.
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This particular kind of milkweed is one of the more aggressive varieties of the plant. When you want to keep its roots under control, you could try surrounding it with a barrier of other native plants.
On the other hand, if you have a tiny garden, you might want to think about putting milkweed in its own container so that it does not end up taking over and squeezing out its neighbors. Become familiar with the top ten varieties of milkweed that are beneficial to monarch butterflies.
What Does Whorled Milkweed Look Like?
There are loose clusters of little blooms that are white and greenish in color on this plant. This plant gets its name from the shape of its leaf. In general, the length of its spindly leaves is approximately two inches.
You will recognize this as a significant difference if you are familiar with the large, oval leaves that are characteristic of common milkweed. It barely reaches a maximum height of one to three feet, which is also a disadvantage.
Additionally, due to its small stature and leaf, it has the potential to mix in with grasses when it is not in bloom. The fact that this particular type of milkweed blooms later in the season than other milkweed plants, often beginning in July and continuing to flower until the beginning of September, is one of the explanations for why you should think about planting it.
For monarch butterflies who are in the process of migrating and rely on milkweed as a source of nutrition, this is an excellent time. It is important to keep in mind that the blossoming of your whorled milkweed might not occur until the second year.
Care and Growing Tips
Despite the fact that it can survive in partial sunlight, this butterfly host plant thrives in full sunlight. It is not particularly particular about the soil, just like other types of milkweed. Nevertheless, it is an especially excellent option for soil that is sandy or loam-based.
If you find that your whorled milkweed is looking dry or wilted, especially during the height of summer, you should feel free to water it. In general, whorled milkweed is a drought-resistant plant that will thrive with a hands-off attitude.
Additionally, this plant is resistant to deer and does not normally have any pest problems, with the exception of a few aphids here and there.
Do Monarch Butterflies Like Whorled Milkweed?
Indeed! Milkweed, notably whorled milkweed, is a favorite of monarch butterflies. Because milkweed is the only food supply for monarch caterpillars, it is absolutely necessary for them to consume it.
And despite the fact that the leaves of whorled milkweed are more thin than those of other species of milkweed, caterpillars still enjoy eating them. Additionally, adult monarch butterflies will visit milkweed in search of nectar-rich flowers such as milkweed.
It is important to keep in mind that although whorled milkweed does not provide a threat to the health of caterpillars and butterflies, it can pose significant risks to the well-being of domesticated animals and livestock if they consume it.
If you have a furry friend who is inquisitive, you should keep an eye on them when they are outside. Alternatively, you might cultivate milkweed in containers or in a section of the garden that the animal cannot access.
