Milkweed, an Unsung Hero- Needs Our Help

Asclepias tuberosa. (All photos taken by either Skye or Jean).

While many of us may think of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) as determined, hardy, and capable of transforming disturbed sites even amongst invasives, there are dozens of other native milkweeds that are less hardy and need our help for their survival. Milkweeds such as Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly), Asclepias incarnata (Swamp), Asclepias purpurascens (Purple), and Asclepias verticillata (Whorled) are among some of the milkweeds we use in our plantscape designs, and many of these are on the Robert Gegear List for at-risk native bees! Margaret Roach for The New York Times, wrote an excellent article on October 25 about the many other species of milkweeds that are beautiful, beneficial, pollinator powerhouses, but depend on humans and pollinators to plant them and help them reproduce. Check out “If you Plant Milkweed They Will Come” to learn more about how farming practices have been designed to eliminate milkweeds, the types of pollinators you will see when you plant them, and how vital plant-pollinator evolutionary relationships are in our changing climate.

Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias syriaca