Why did I plant this? I planted this because it is a member of the Milkweed family, more specifically, Asclepiadaceae - the only family that the Monarch Butterfly will use to lay eggs. I spied several Monarch caterpillars the very first year I planted it! It smells delicious when in bloom (humming birds are attracted to its flowers as well) and the seed pods are pretty in the fall. It will spread readily. For this same reason I planted Butterfly Weed (A. Tuberosa).
This is a wonderful blog and I'm really going to enjoy following! :-)
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog on Blotanical.
I love the butterflies. I have planted butterfly gardens in the past. How wonderful that you were able to attract caterpillars right away!
I look forward to following your blog.
I also fell across your doorstep, thanks to Blotanical.
ReplyDeleteSo far the butterflies haven't found the milkweed that I've planted. The slugs sure like it, earlier in the year...
Hi Lisa and Robb, I have never had slug trouble with my swamp milkweed, hmmm. I do have slug trouble now with my scarlet runner beans. I have placed some pennies (copper reacts with their slime - eeeewww), and eggshells around them and have seen a noticeable improvement. Last year I didn't see any caterpillars on my swamp milkweed and so far, none this year, either. I think all the rain and cooler temperatures here last summer was a factor. Their place of migration in Mexico is also declining. I'm hoping for better sightings this year. It may just be too early yet.
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