Asclepias syriaca / Common milkweed / Common milkweed

So where's your milkweed patch? You gotta have it.

Plant them well spaced outside your garden and ensure good air circulation. Prune or cut back for aggressive management to encourage the spread of rhizomes.

Remember that monarchs like small, aphid-free plants to lay their eggs on.

Culture: Sow outdoors in fall. Press gently to ensure soil contact. Cold stratification is necessary.

Start indoors up to 2 months before the last frost. Disturb the roots as little as possible, but these plants are remarkably hardy.

Like most native plants, syriaca will not flower the first year.

Pro tip: Grows in shade, but may not flower. That said, monarchs prefer younger, smaller milkweeds, so why not give it a try!

Mark your milkweed! Syriaca is the last thing growing in my garden. Sit on your hands, enjoy your morning coffee and wait. Don't do what I did...think it's dead and plant another milkweed right next to it. A late bloomer worth waiting for!

See my blog post on transplanting, especially from mown or construction areas. It's not as hard as they say!

Nursery Notes: Earlier and smaller is better, but dig deep and do it anyway!