Eastern Monarch Waystation Milkweed Collection (4)

Description

** Discontinuing White Swamp**    Seeds do not consistently produce White flowering plants. Unable to keep the genetic line pure with Pink flowering all around.   Pink is the dominant gene color. White is recessive.

This collection of 4 popular native milkweed species is specific to the Eastern US.  A great way to get your Waystation populated with low maintenance native milkweeds.  Each species contains 100 high quality seeds.  Other pollinator friendly flowers can be  ordered here.

Orange Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa . The bright orange flower clusters, with this species, make a striking display.  As a northern native plant it will thrive in rocky, sandy soil and can be found in open fields and roadsides.  A well established plant can withstand drought but not soggy conditions like the Swamp M. Growing about 24” tall, the original plant will not spread via roots like the Common M. but will self-seed

White & Pink Swamp Milkweed – Asclepias incarnata. These beautiful northern native milkweed that do well with wet feet, hence the name.  If you have a low-lying area that gets soggy during the rainy season this is a good milkweed to plant.  Mature plants will be 4′ -5′ with many smaller leaves to feed dozens of caterpillars.  Both the Pink and White blooms are bright enough to attract many Monarchs for the nectar and prime egg laying spots.  Keep well watered the first year.  A well established plant will still prefer to be kept moist.  The original plant will not spread via roots like the Common M. but will self-seed

Common Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca.  . Growing 4′-6′ tall this perennial native plant was once seen in abundance along roadsides and open fields.  On a thick stalk that branches slightly, pink/mauve ball-like blooms attach close to the stem.  Keep plants well watered the first year. A well established plant can withstand some drought.  Common Milkweed will spread far and wide.  It’s not uncommon to find the roots 12” deep and travel under poured sidewalks.  If these are planted in a flower bed you will have to dig out the wanderers each year that come up in an area you don’t like or can’t be mowed off.

Sowing.   In late fall surface sow to overwinter and sprout in the spring or 30 days cold moist stratification for the Common, the other species don’t need cold stratified, and surface sow in the  spring. The seeds needs light, moisture and warmth to germinate. Most sites say that milkweed  seedlings will not transplant well but that has not been my experience.

Growing.  Soak seeds 24-48 hrs. in warm water before sowing. Milkweed seeds need 3 conditions met to germinate: Surface sown- because they need light, warmth- ground temps upper 60’s or above, and consistent moisture. Keep plants well watered the first year.