Embrace the Year of the Asclepias by Sowing Milkweed Seeds
Diversifying Home Gardens: Butterfly Milkweed, Strawberries, and More
September 10, 2024
Welcome to another edition of Statewide News, where we explore the beauty and benefits of gardening. Today, we delve into the world of diversifying home gardens, focusing on fall planting, strawberries, and a special spotlight on the butterfly milkweed.
Butterfly Milkweed, the 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year, is a vibrant addition to any garden. Native to the U.S., this wildflower boasts bright orange-yellow flowers arranged in umbels. Growing 20 to 60 cm tall, it prefers limestone soils, open, rocky, dry sites, and does not tolerate shade.
Key characteristics include lance-shaped leaves that are smooth above and hairy below, and a unique lack of the typical milky sap found in many other milkweeds. Though one source incorrectly mentioned growth heights of 15–30 feet, this more likely refers to a different milkweed species since Asclepias tuberosa typically grows less than 2 feet tall.
Butterfly Milkweed is a drought-tolerant, sun-loving native perennial with distinctive bright orange flowers and unique non-milky sap, making it a valuable plant for pollinator-friendly gardens, especially in open and dry landscapes. It requires well-drained soil and minimal fertilization once established.
As we move towards the Year of the Asclepias, designated by the National Garden Bureau for 2025, it's worth noting that there are over 100 native milkweed species, many of which may be suitable for gardens. Information about regional species can be found on the Xerces Society website.
In addition to Butterfly Milkweed, consider planting Sullivant's milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii), a less aggressive alternative to common milkweed, hardy in zones four to seven. Red milkweed (Syriaca incarnata), which tolerates moist to wet and occasionally dry soils, is another option, growing three to five feet tall in upright clumps and hardy in zones three to nine.
Moving on to strawberries, Delizz®, a day-neutral strawberry, made history as the first ever strawberry to be selected as an All-America Selections Winner. Known for its high yield and disease resistance, Delizz® is a delicious addition to any garden, providing not only a sweet treat but also a source of vitamins. Strawberries are low in calories and high in vitamin content.
Remember, fall is the perfect time for planting a collection of spring-flowering bulbs. This can provide continuous color for several months, ensuring your garden is a riot of color all year round.
The author of this article, Melinda Myers, is a renowned gardening expert who has written over 20 gardening books, hosts a video and DVD series, a radio program, and is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
For those interested in the Purple Sensation allium, you can find it at Longfield-Gardens.com. And don't forget, the Purple Sensation allium is critter-resistant and blooms in late spring.
As always, we hope this article inspires you to explore your green thumb and create a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden. Share this article on Threads and feel free to email it to a friend. Happy gardening!
- In the upcoming Year of the Asclepias, it would be beneficial to explore other native milkweed species, such as Sullivant's milkweed or red milkweed, for creating pollinator-friendly gardens.
- Since strawberries, like Delizz®, are known for their high yield and disease resistance, they make a valuable addition not only to our diets but also to our gardens as decorative and edible plants.
