Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Gardening

The Velveteen Ocelot

(121,873 posts)

4. Grow plants from the milkweed family (Asclepias).

Reply to Curmudgeoness (Reply #2)

Thu Jan 17, 2013, 08:46 PM

Jan 2013

They attract butterflies. Mexican Butterfly Flower, Asclepias curassavica, is the host plant for monarch butterflies. In my area they can be grown only as annuals because they are mainly tropical, but I planted some last spring and did manage to attract monarchs. Monarda (bee balm) will attract all kinds of bees.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

22 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I'd like to create a bee/butterfly/hummingbird-friendly garden this spring ... but I am a complete [View all] Flaxbee Jan 2013 OP

Your state, like most states, has a Master Gardener program The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #1

+1 for the Master Gardners! Scuba Jan 2013 #3

thanks. I'm not 20 miles from our state arboretum, but I just have no spare time to Flaxbee Jan 2013 #5

You definitely should have a butterfly bush. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #2

Grow plants from the milkweed family (Asclepias). The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #4

OK - same question as above? Do I seek out already-grown/mature plants? Flaxbee Jan 2013 #7

thanks. Definitely will seek them out Flaxbee Jan 2013 #6

Buy a bush. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #8

good to know. Flaxbee Jan 2013 #11

You really only need one, and they grow well. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #15

I usually buy plants rather than seeds. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #9

Because of where you live kurtzapril4 Jan 2013 #10

thanks very much. I am a huge fan of xeriscaping (coming from Palm Springs, CA where Flaxbee Jan 2013 #12

i am trying to find time to look into a bee hotel. mopinko Jan 2013 #13

Milkweed and Bee Balm ginnyinWI Jan 2013 #14

I plant and plan butterfly/humming birds gardens for a living Botany Jan 2013 #16

what a wonderful way to make a living. Flaxbee Mar 2013 #20

Hi. bvar22 Jan 2013 #17

hey bvar22, how are things? Flaxbee Mar 2013 #21

I'm a novice too Trascoli Mar 2013 #18

Flaxbee, I grew up in West Virginia and we had several Tanuki Mar 2013 #19

under my picture window is a perennial that looks like BIG forget-me-nots grasswire Mar 2013 #22